TSB 08-7-6 Spark Plug Issues

I've been seeing this on a few other sites. Thought I would post it here. There looks to be a new one piece Champion plug for the N/A motors for sale. Champion #7989. I have't found any info on a HTO plug alternative for the superchagred motors. Anybody have more info?









New one piece plug. Standard heat range.

thats awesome!

Has anybody in the club had issues with R&R their plugs or know anybody that may have broken one off? I haven't had a need to dig into my engine but seeing alot of higher mileage guys breaking off the 2 piece plugs has me watching this issue. I'm thinking about pulling mine and puttuing some anti-seize on them like the TSB says but it would be nice to have a better designed one piece colder HTO plug alternative for the supercharged cars that would elimate this issue.

I believe that there is a colder heat range one piece plug. Let me do some searching. I think I might change mine to the one piece set just for piece of mind.

DBLDARE wrote:I believe that there is a colder heat range one piece plug. Let me do some searching. I think I might change mine to the one piece set just for piece of mind.

Cool. I've looked around some and haven't found any yet on the net and I plan on calling Roush monday or tuesday to see what they have to say. Post up if you find anything

I could call around locally to see if they can cross reference the 7989 plugs to one step colder to match the HTO's in my car now.

www.brenspeed.com

Look in the ignition section for 05 current gt.

http://www.pmpparts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19

Great info so far guys.

Jarrod, at least from the pic that looks like the older style two piece design.

yea it is...I felt left out with the pictures though

Grabber07' wrote:yea it is...I felt left out with the pictures though

Big "E" for effort!!!!

Chris, let us know what Roush says after you call them.

TTOWNBOBBYD wrote:Chris, let us know what Roush says after you call them.

Okie Dokie!!! I emailed them yesterday but I'm not sure if I will hear from them that way. I'll let you know!!!

Well I got off the phone with both Roush and Federal Mogul about these plugs. The Roush rep I talked to didn't have any info on the TSB. He wasn't even aware there was one so my guess is they aren't addressing this issue and after I talked to Federal Mogul I see why.

I talked to Federal Mogul about these new Champion 7989 plug specifically designed for these Ford 3 valve motor issues. They said they spent alot of time and research to invent just this one plug to help Ford out and when Federal Mogul produces a set, Ford calls and says ship them to us so it seems to be s great fix and plug for this issue on Normally aspirated motors. Unfortunately they said there best guess is they "Won't" be making any other heat range one piece plugs of this kind. Not enough demand for them but he said he would put in a request since I told him there are alot of supercharged/nitrous 3 valve motors out there.



Now I'm going to research those Brisk one piece plugs David posted.

Interesting. Thanks for doing the investigation. So the champion plugs are the normal heat range and made for na motors?

BTW I have removed 2 of mine in the past just to check them. They came out with no problem.

Just got off the phone with both Steeda and Brisk. Those 3VR14S Brisk plugs are the way to go for my application. Great one piece design. They said gap them to .032" and lightly coat only the threads with antiseize. So now time to find the best price. Steeda's are $16.95 each. Brenspeed is $15.75..... Also Brisk rep said even though they say 2 heat ranges colder its actually in between 1 and 2 steps colder and he said its the plug I want for my application. So its time to order...... Hope this helps anybody looking to upgrade their plugs and Thanks David for the Brisk link!!!

2006GT wrote:Interesting. Thanks for doing the investigation. So the champion plugs are the normal heat range and made for na motors?

BTW I have removed 2 of mine in the past just to check them. They came out with no problem.

Yes, the Champion 7989 plug is the factory (improved) replacement for the normally aspirated cars.

The guy at Brisk said they have had a huge increase in sales the last 2 months for their one piece plugs. I guess people are starting to change plugs and breaking them or having issues. He said ford recommends any 3 valve engine have their plugs pulled and either replaced or have that TSB done before 25,000 miles. He also said they have redesigned the 3 valve head for mid 2008 because of this plug issue. I guess they also use a different plug.

Super information, thanks for the research.....

TTOWNBOBBYD wrote:Super information, thanks for the research.....

I talked to Roush about installing these Brisk Silver Race plugs and of coase they had no opinion since they don't sell those specific designed plugs. I was wondering about warranty issues. My 427R manual does say that The use of any other spark plug design 'could' void the warranty or damage the engine. I guess its my call.

I ordered the Brisk plugs from Brenspeed and since everybody I talked to said those would be a good choice for my car I went ahead and ordered them. So we shall see.

Ditto! Word!

Interesting discussion on the spark plug issue:

Ford Spark Plug Issue Thread Link

07_427R wrote:

TTOWNBOBBYD wrote:Super information, thanks for the research.....

I talked to Roush about installing these Brisk Silver Race plugs and of coase they had no opinion since they don't sell those specific designed plugs. I was wondering about warranty issues. My 427R manual does say that The use of any other spark plug design 'could' void the warranty or damage the engine. I guess its my call.

I ordered the Brisk plugs from Brenspeed and since everybody I talked to said those would be a good choice for my car I went ahead and ordered them. So we shall see.

just keep all the old plugs and if there is a problem put them back in for the repairs

osudoc21 wrote:
just keep all the old plugs and if there is a problem put them back in for the repairs

I will store the old plugs but I'm sure with all the research I've done these new plugs will be fine and are very close to the proper heat range for this car. I may pull one to check in every once in awhile. Like I told the Roush rep. Whats worse, swapping out to a new compatible plug they haven't approved yet or have a factory plug break off in the cylinder. He agreed!!!

Working on jets all these years tends to make us follow things by the book as habit, but in this case I think installing a newly designed better plug makes more sense.

Had a nice UPS package on the porch today. Nice New Brisk Plugs.



Now I have to plan a tech day for myself to install them. With my schedule I doubt I will get to it till fall. Its not like I'm running the miles up on the Redfire...

We might do a tech day within the next couple weeks. It's about time! ;)

2006GT wrote: It's about time! ;)

I know!! I know!!! Its been awhile since I've done a tune up. I've already pulled the Rotor and Distributor cap. Just like old times!!!

LOL! Remember those day? Gas was like 32 cents a gallon too.... ;(

I had Gas once..

I've been reading about the problems with the factory plugs and started getting paranoid about mine. Since my factory warranty is up in one week, I decided to change mine out just to see if I could (or if I needed to take it to the dealer and make them do it under warranty if if looked as though I'd have trouble). I followed the TSB procedures at the first of this post; I was able to remove all of them without breaking any off. My engine only has 8,319 miles on it, but I was very surprised at the amount of torque it required to break loose the factory plugs - once I was able to make that initial turn, they all came out fine. Here's a picture of them - I was surprised at the amount of carbon deposits on the ground electrode shield of each:




These are shown in the order of the cylinders, with the front of the engine at the left. I used a 15mm long socket to remove the factory plugs and a 5/8" plug wrench to install the new Champion 7989 one-piece plugs. I also use a little duct tape around my socket where it mates to the extension just so I don't have to fish it out of those deep spark plug wells if the extension separates from the socket. I put a light coating of nickel anti-seize compound on the ground electrode shield of each plug before installing. The new Champions should be good for another 80-100,000 miles (or 22-28 years in my case, based on my annual mileage). I've got lots of nickel anti-seize left over; let me know if you need any!

Dave were you able to get the champoin plugs locally or did you order? Also what was the price. I want to do this soon as well.

groupset wrote:I've been reading about the problems with the factory plugs and started getting paranoid about mine. Since my factory warranty is up in one week, I decided to change mine out just to see if I could (or if I needed to take it to the dealer and make them do it under warranty if if looked as though I'd have trouble). I followed the TSB procedures at the first of this post; I was able to remove all of them without breaking any off. My engine only has 8,319 miles on it, but I was very surprised at the amount of torque it required to break loose the factory plugs - once I was able to make that initial turn, they all came out fine. Here's a picture of them - I was surprised at the amount of carbon deposits on the ground electrode shield of each:




These are shown in the order of the cylinders, with the front of the engine at the left. I used a 15mm long socket to remove the factory plugs and a 5/8" plug wrench to install the new Champion 7989 one-piece plugs. I also use a little duct tape around my socket where it mates to the extension just so I don't have to fish it out of those deep spark plug wells if the extension separates from the socket. I put a light coating of nickel anti-seize compound on the ground electrode shield of each plug before installing. The new Champions should be good for another 80-100,000 miles (or 22-28 years in my case, based on my annual mileage). I've got lots of nickel anti-seize left over; let me know if you need any!

Wow, great write-up David!!! Glad things went well for you. You should be set for a long time now!!!