Watch your OE MotorCraft SP-462 Plugs

[1fastpony]

Picked up a new set of these plugs. Gap is at .054 fro factory but when I got home and checked the settings before install they were at ~.038 or so. The strap was noticably shorter like the HTO's I have so trying to reset the gap to OE was not happening. Shoooweee, so I just went back to O'reilly and got another set from the counter and checked them too. Well, they were at .038 instead of .054. The parts guy and I were scratching our heads. Bad QA or a change in spec from Ford. Anyone come across this problem?

 

[1fastpony]

Made a stop at a couple of parts store in other states while on travel and found the same issue with the plugs gap very much closer than spec. I would suggest that anyone who is in the process of replacing plugs to be careful and verify before installing. Talked to to dealerships and the were unaware of any new spark gap change in specification...

 

[1fastpony]

Found out today for the 05-07 "black boots" the old SP462 has been superceded by a new one, SP514. I believe its a double Platnium. The strap appeared bigger with a the large gap like the sp462 use to be.