One Piece Plugs

[07 Boss]

Anyone know off hand if these are a 1-piece design or a 2-piece design like the HT's? I thought the only 1-piece plugs for our cars were the Brisk and Champions.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/accel-s...colder-16mm-set-3v-4-6l-2005-2008/p/SP8160C1/

I would call them but they are closed on Sundays and I need new plugs ASAP.

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

According to the manufacturer, Holley, they are indeed a one-piece design. Here's an attachment link from Holley's website.

https://www.holley.com/products/ignition/spark_plugs/parts/8160C1

 

[07 Boss]

According to the manufacturer, Holley, they are indeed a one-piece design. Here's an attachment link from Holley's website.

https://www.holley.com/products/ignition/spark_plugs/parts/8160C1

Thanks brother. I hope CJ has them in stock so I can just go pick them up. Gotta get the mustang back on the road. It’s getting warm here and my other car’s 43 yr old AC unit functions like it’s 43 yrs old. Works, just not that good.

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

Also, thank you for finding the Accels. I've been looking for one-piece design plugs that are one degree colder other than Brisk. Looks as though I've finally found my replacement for the Autolite HT0 2-piece design plugs

 

[07 Boss]

Also, thank you for finding the Accels. I've been looking for one-piece design plugs that are one degree colder other than Brisk. Looks as though I've finally found my replacement for the Autolite HT0 2-piece design plugs

I’ve always run Brisk. They have one and two degree colder plugs also. I’ve run them both. They are pretty expensive though. I’m gonna give these a try.

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

You can also order the Accels from O'Reilly's. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...7/2006/ford/mustang?q=accel+spark+plugs&pos=4

 

[ghunt81]

FWIW E3 makes one piece plugs for these too, I know they're a gimmicky plug but I've been running them for 3+ years with no issues.

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

However, the E3 plugs are not available in colder degree heat ranges that are required for FI applications. Only Brisk Racing and Accel offer one degree colder range spark plugs!

 

[JeremyH]

Fyi, the material used that caused the seizing/breakingg issue with OEM plugs was fixed in 2011. Autolite who is also the manufacturer of the motorcraft branded plugs revised the material.

https://www.aftermarketnews.com/autolite-introduces-improved-design-revolution-ht-spark-plugs/

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

FYI, I'm fully well aware of Autolite and their marketing hype claims about the redesigned Revolution HT spark plug featuring the new HSS technology which supposedly reinforces the spark plug assembly for greater mechanical strength and protection against fractures. Personally, IMHO if Autolite were so concerned upon improving the design in order to prevent the spark plugs from seizing/breaking? they would've done so by redesigning them as a one-piece rather than just change the material for which they claim caused the seizing/breakage issues.

The way I look at it is if aftermarket spark plug manufacturers such as Champion, Brisk Racing, MSD, E3, and Accel can all design a one-piece spark plug for the 4.6-5.4 3v Mustang and F-150 models, then why in the hell can't a major spark plug manufacturer such as Autolite design a one-piece spark plug that will most definitely prevent any issues of separating/fracturing due to seizing inside the heads

 

[08MustangDude]

Because they are made for Motorcraft, and Ford dictates the specs.
Ford didn't tell them to make a one piece as to remain an OE spec
replacement. A one piece is not considered a direct OE replacement
by Ford, it is aftermarket. Something along those lines...

 

[1950StangJump$]

Fyi, the material used that caused the seizing/breakingg issue with OEM plugs was fixed in 2011. Autolite who is also the manufacturer of the motorcraft branded plugs revised the material.

https://www.aftermarketnews.com/autolite-introduces-improved-design-revolution-ht-spark-plugs/

I wonder if this means the requirement for nickel anti-seize is no longer relevant. I guess it still the save way to go.

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

Because they are made for Motorcraft, and Ford dictates the specs.
Ford didn't tell them to make a one piece as to remain an OE spec
replacement. A one piece is not considered a direct OE replacement
by Ford, it is aftermarket. Something along those lines...

Perhaps Ford should've dictated changing the OE specs to Autolite for redesigning the spark plugs to a one-piece. Especially after Ford redesigned the OE heads and changed the OE specs from a two-piece design to one-piece design spark plugs in Nov/Dec of 2007 approx 3 years before Autolite upgraded the OE two-piece design for the older 3v heads prior to Nov/Dec of 2007. IMHO, it would've also been more cost-effective for Ford to just change the OE specs for the spark plugs to a one-piece design while retaining the original 3v head design. Anyhow, just saying.

I wonder if this means the requirement for nickel anti-seize is no longer relevant. I guess it still the save way to go.

According to the latest Ford TSB, the requirement for applying nickel anti-seize is still recommended and therefore is still relevant.

 

[JeremyH]

Imo I would say that's evidence that from a engineering standpoint it was determined the material needed to be stronger and that its not soley a design construction problem of the crimped on electrode shell. Although from my observation they did change that as well (I think they just didnt want to admit it outright) the redesigned plug appears to have a brazed/heat welded on electrode shell vice the original 2 piece design with the crimp on shell as well as the ground strap being integrated. That's actually a easy way to tell the difference visually on the new 16mm plug.

As for a oe making a revision during the model run that final decision is often swayed by bean counters. I would wager it was significantly cheaper and faster to do a machining retool in house at the plant with the common 12mm thread vice 16mm thread cut on the heads then slap in an already on the shelf plug.

Vice paying a contracted third party to redesign and test and provide a new part hence the additional 3 year wait for the plug redesign release.

As for antiseize I have never used it or had an issue or need to. But personally my 07 never had a chance to be an issue with the stock plugs. My plugs come out once a year for routine maintenance at every oil change on all my cars. I clean, inspect and check gap just as I learned to do as a kid. I never bought into these fancy set and forget 50-100k mile plug designs.

 

[JeremyH]

Here are the visual differences I mentioned on the shell attachment and ground strap.
Old

New


It appears the new design the electrode shell gets installed and then has some kind of heat weld vice a mechanical crimp fit inside.

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

It appears my plugs are the newer/revised 2 piece design. I suppose that I'll find out just how improved the revised design really is when the time comes to install new ones. If none of them break or separate? then I'll stick with the Autolite HT0 plugs, otherwise, I'll be making the switch to the Accel 8160C1 HP Copper one-piece design spark plugs.