Best Spark Plugs?

[bugup]

I have a 1995 4.3 LX Vortec and I am having a tune up done at a local dealer this week. My question is what are the best spark plugs. I have a company deal at a local parts store and will be taking my own plugs for them to install. I am leaning toward NGK. Any advice would be great.

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

what dealer do you have that dont furnish the right plugs for the tune up?

 

[Bsturkie]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

You cant go wrong with NGK plugs. I have used them all of my life in many diffrent motors and they work really well.<br /><br />My $.02

 

[bugup]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

Dealer is great. it's just that I get a smoking deal on parts at a different store and will take my own plugs.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

AC MR43T is the Spark Plug that Belongs in Your Motor..............

Dealer is great. it's just that I get a smoking deal on parts at a different store and will take my own plugs.

All that's going to get you is Hard Feelings.......<br /><br />Would you bring Your Own Hamburger to McDonalds,+ ask them to Fry it,..??..??..??.......

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

How much can you save on 6 spark plugs? Doing your own tune up and buying stuff from another place is one thing. Bringing parts from somewhere else to have it installed at your dealer is borderline insulting. (I like the MacDonald's scenario Bondo.)<br /><br />I suppose you can always tell your dealer a story like " I had them left over from last year" or "my buddy had these lying around from a boat he no longer owns, will they fit?" (not really a feel good thing in my book, but it'll save you bad vibes from someone that can really give you a hard time).

 

[ron7000]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

for best spark plugs, I think the denso fine-wire iridiums are the best. They are also the most expensive, $12/plug. I run them in my 3L. The replacement for the 43T plug is ITF20. Second best I think are NGK fine-wire, they are 0.7mm center electrode vs denso's 0.4mm, and are a little cheaper at $8/plug. You would need UR6IX (stock #7348).<br />After that, I'd say go with NGK v-power YR55 (stock #7240) before getting the traditional AC-R43T or NGK BR6FS.<br /><br />As for bringing your own burger to mcdonald's, here's my opinion <br /> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=501249375422354768

 

[wvit100]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

The stock AC plugs work fine for your engine. Buying high end plugs may make you feel better but the engine will never know the difference.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

Your "smoking deal" on plugs is probably equivalant to taking a $10 bill (plus or minus) out of the dealer's wallet and putting it in yours...and doing so while he's watching and well aware of it. And believe me, unless he is the exception to the rule, he will NOT be happy about it. Dealers and mechanics count on parts markup to make some of their profit. <br /><br />Don't bring him your own parts. Even if he says it's OK, he's clenching his teeth and swearing under his breath and you will never be considered a favored customer when you need him most. <br /><br />I highly encourage you to either pay the dealer full retail price for whatever plugs he prefers to use, or learn how to do the entire tune-up yourself.<br /><br />A more direct answer to your question, I feel the OEM AC plugs are probably best, but the motor will run the same on just about any brand of standard plugs. Iridiums are superior, but a completely unnecessary extra expense if your boat is properly tuned.

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

My choice has always been to use the manufacturers recommended plug. I feel that you get alot of hype about this plug or that plug but at the end of the day the engine works fine with the OEM plugs.<br /><br />I also agree with the general feeling that if you shop for saving a few dollars on parts you should do the work yourself.<br /><br />That said I dont know the full story

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

actually I like installing customer supplied parts, if they screw up or dont fit its still 75/hr.<br /> and all I have to warrenty is the fact the installation was correct. I dont have to wrrenty the part nor the compatibilty of the part.<br /> if a customer brings me an alternator to install first thing I do is clock in on his workorder, then move the boat and open the hood and remove the old one, then I unbox the new one and find it wont fit, then I clean upmy tools, close up the boat and move it back to the storage lot. takes about 1 hour. then I call the customer and let him know this part did not fit. then I clock off.<br /> I actually make more money that way.<br /> BTW thats a true story from about 2 weeks ago. so far he has brought 2 and neither have fit. boat is still sitting and I have billed almost 2 hours.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

ron7000, that's freaken funny!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

If you bring your own plugs, you will end up getting the equivalent of a corking fee when you bring in your own wine to a restaurant. <br /><br />You just won't know it!

 

[bugup]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

Had my service done today and my main concern was that the dealer would use quality plugs. He does and I just bought them there. Actually I had so much work done that the price of the plugs was the least of my concern. I guess that is my welcome to boating.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

This is not new to most here, but might be new to you....<br /><br />B.O.A.T.<br />=<br />Bust Open Another Thousand<br /><br />Enjoy your new money-pit...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

The AC plugs always worked fine for me.<br />Why spend 12 bucks for a spark plug?

 

[Mile-High Mariner]

Re: Best Spark Plugs?

NAPA, Autozone and just about all other parts stores sell them by the set for V8s, so I keep a couple of sets of AC plugs in my boat (4-cyl.) and break them out as needed, with spares always handy (even if I have never needed a spare). A properly tuned engine drinking proper fuel from a properly adjusted carburetor (or injectors, for those of us with newer equipment) will fire a properly gapped spark plug perfectly, whether it cost you $1.20 or $12.00 - it's just that I can get 90 more plugs for my 120 bucks with the $1.20 plugs!