Spark Plug for 1.7 MHA

[danihxh]

I have an early 1.7 MHA Puma and now that is time to replace the spark plugs I'm thinking of replacing the Bosch Super 4 that the previous owner had with NGK PTR5A-10 or any other platinum one. The ones I'm considering are:

• NGK PTR5A-10: https://www.oscaro.es/bujia-de-encendido-ngk-5055-4063401-686-p
• CHAMPION OE029/T10 or RES9PYP4: https://www.oscaro.es/bujia-de-encendido-champion-oe029-t10-1238507-686-p
• DENSO PT16VR13: https://www.oscaro.es/bujia-de-encendido-denso-pt16vr13-1260215-686-p

I've seen people recommending the NGK and the DENSO ones in other posts, but nothing about the CHAMPIONs. Which ones do you think are better? Do you think the platinum ones are better than the Bosch Super 4 or any other one with multiple electrodes?

I came across this paper: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090447912000883 and the spark plugs without ground electrodes seem to work better than those with them, but I couldn't find any for the Puma :\ Has anyone tried them?

I have also checked the NGK LTR5IX-11 (Iridium) and they are marked as compatible in some eBay pages: http://www.ebay.es/itm/NGK-IRIDIUM-SPARK-PLUGS-x4-FORD-PUMA-1-7-MHA-ZETEC-S-MHA-MHB-97-LTR5IX-11-/382124912977, but according to the compatibility checker on the page, they are only for the 1.4 and 1.6. Moreover, they are not listed in the official page: http://www.ngkpartfinder.co.uk/car_commercial_search.php?type=SPARK%2520PLUGS&manufact=FORD&model=PUMA&engine=1.7

Also, I know the early Pumas had spark plugs with a 1.3 mm gap that were replaced later with 1.0 mm ones, as they were causing premature wear on the coil pack. Is it fine to swap them with 1.0 mm ones on my early Puma or should I replace some other parts as well?

 

[tuonokid]

Hi Dani
I would always recommend Japanese sparkplugs as in my experience if they will run a 2 stroke engine they will run anything so first choice NGK, second choice Denso.
Barry

 

[MS-DIY]

Hi Dani
Im running the NGK PTR5A-10 and have been for the last 20.000Km without any problems.
I had them out for a few weeks ago and they still looked like new.
The gap is 10mm as the last digits tells you.... PTR5A-"10"

 

[YOG]

1.0 mm, not 10mm :wink:
http://ngk-sparkplugs.com/ptr5a10-p-2995.html

 

[CherryVimto]

I have had Champion plugs but they didn't seem to fit the HT leads tight enough so I returned them.

As above, I would recommend NGK as I have never had any problems with them.

 

[MS-DIY]

[post]364154[/post] 1.0 mm, not 10mm :wink:
http://ngk-sparkplugs.com/ptr5a10-p-2995.html

Arrgh yeah of cause 1.0mm

 

[Frank]

I use NGK 5055 / PTR5A-10 on my early Puma gapped to 1.3mm (51 thou*).

Do use a proper tool when adjusting the gap though, it's not like the old days and levering with a small screwdriver on the central electrode - these new type of plugs are not going to take kindly to having their points treated like that.

* imperial measurement meaning thousandth of an inch, which is how feeler gauges used to come.

 

[danihxh]

Great, got the NGK 5055 / PTR5A-10. Let's see if the improvement over the old Bosch Super 4 is noticeable

 

[MS-DIY]

[post]364157[/post] I use NGK 5055 / PTR5A-10 on my early Puma gapped to 1.3mm (51 thou*).

Do use a proper tool when adjusting the gap though, it's not like the old days and levering with a small screwdriver on the central electrode - these new type of plugs are not going to take kindly to having their points treated like that.

* imperial measurement meaning thousandth of an inch, which is how feeler gauges used to come.

Hey Frank
For how long have you been running 1.3mm gap ??
And is that with out any problems ??
Just wondering...

 

[Frank]

[post]364183[/post] Hey Frank
For how long have you been running 1.3mm gap ??
And is that with out any problems ??
Just wondering...

Couple of years now and no problems, which is what I would expect from the right plugs set to the right gap.

Plugs have always come pre-gapped (used to be 25 thou, Barry?) and you always have to check them anyway in case they got knocked in transit, even with those cardboard tubes on them, so it makes sense to adjust them to the right gap at the same time.

With engines, it's a 'dog wags tail' situation, not the other way around. So, the engine dictates the gap to be used, not the spark plug.

https://www.ngksparkplugs.com/about-ngk/faqs/spark-plug-faqs/do-i-need-to-set-the-gap-when-installing-a-new-set-of-plugs