Originally posted by TourDeForce:
Originally posted by big_mack:
What brand of spark plugs to use is a matter of personal preference. If they crossed the Autolite to the correct Champion number, you should be just fine.



I don't think so. The Contour engines are particularly sensitive to what plug & wire you use. Go with some Motorcraft direct replacements for the best results. Autolites work well in the Duratec, but many Zetecs have been especially finicky and won't run properly with Autolites. So get Motorcraft, PERIOD!

Check the archives & you'll find that Champions and Bosch are flat out JUNK in our cars. Never let one touch your Contour.



Wow! I think I detect a bit of resentment.

First of all, Autolite is the vendor that makes most nearly all Motorcraft spark plugs, including the ones Contiques came with. The Autolite APP764 is the same spark plug as the 95 Duratec came with. In 96 Ford went to a fine wire single platinum plug for the Duratec. It weems to work well enough, but I prefer the double platinum so I use the Autolite APP764. Autolite does not sell the fine wire plug in their own label even though they make it for Ford.

The Zetec Autolite and the Motorcraft are exactly the same plug except for the name stamped on it.

I agree that Bosch makes junk plugs. I have not yet found an engine that they really run properly with.

I still have a bad tast in my mouth for Champions from all the broken plugs and blown apart plugs that I ran into when I was a dealership tune up tech, but that was over 20 years ago. There were times that Champions were the best selection, such as on Chrysler products, where they worked better than Autolite or AC.

When I have had to use Champions more recently, they have performed fine. I would still try to avoid them from past agrivation, but I will have to admit that they have improved greatly. If you have them installed already, I would leave them in and not worry about them until they gave trouble or until it was time to replace them again.

Jim Johnson 98 SVT 03 Escape Limited