Spark Plug recommendation?

Decision · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 7:32 am

Guys,

My marina is backed up with work orders and I would like to have my spark plugs replaced on my 2001 328 Four Winns, twin 5.7 litre GSI 280 hp engines. So I guess I may as well change the plugs myself. Drives are Volvo Penta duoprops if that matters. Should be a fun early Saturday morning job.

Anyways, my owners manual states the plugs are to be a Volvo Penta P/N 3854399.

Could one of you guys suggest a cross reference AC plug or have a cross reference number for another plug that you would recommend? I'd like to get the plugs changed this coming weekend.

Thanks,
Mike.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 8:13 am

Anything platinum or iridium. Volvo Penta switched to plat a few years ago on all new boats sold.

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:41 am

IMHO, I like the Delco Marine MR44 or 43T plugs in small block V8s and V6s, there are easy to find and work very well.
Volvo giving owners the high tech plugs and trying to make em last longer, can bite you one day....the longer they stay IN, the harder one day it is to get em OUT. I change mine each season (guess what, the fogging oil fouls em anyway) and they always come out not rusted.

JohnnyMarlin · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 2:13 pm

Put a little bit of anti-sieze on the threads......they will come out easy in the future......

boater50 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 3:21 pm

I agree with the guy from L.I.......AC/Delco MR 43T....i just put a set in my 5.7 Volvo GL.....$26/8 at Fair Auto (Ct. auto parts chain)!

ric · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 3:21 pm

Skuterdude wrote:

Put a little bit of anti-sieze on the threads......they will come out easy in the future......

this.

Technologic80 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 3:35 pm

I feel like a ding dong. Im always one to use the Delco plugs in my Volvo Pentas (GM Blocks, at least, and thats all Ive ever owned). However this past time I cross referenced the Volvo Penta part # and discovered they used CHAMPION plugs for my 1997 4.3Gi. Ugh. I hate Champion plugs. I think Ill swap them out for the Delco plats next spring. :roll:

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 5:18 pm

Both my Jeeps take Champs from the factory and I haven't had trouble with them, but I have heard the bad stories. My GM engines have gotten GM plugs.

Technologic80 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 6:20 pm

LouC wrote:

Both my Jeeps take Champs from the factory and I haven't had trouble with them, but I have heard the bad stories. My GM engines have gotten GM plugs.

Well Champion was always Chryslers choice for OEM. Thats understandable. I never had a problem with them in my mopars either.

Hey, I searched and searched... whats the spark plug (delco part #) for the platinum equivalent of the MR43T?

txvista · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2012 8:07 am

I'm thinking about doing the same thing on the same boat and engine as yours. When I crossed referenced in the summer, I believe I came up with: NGK BPR6EFS. You may want to double check though, it has been a couple of months.

Decision · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2012 8:20 am

Thanks guys for the replies.

I also made a couple calls to some dealers to inquire as to what they would suggest. A Four Winns dealer did suggest a NGK BPR6EFS plug could be used.

Also had a AC R42CLTS plug suggested by same dealer. Would like to confirm though if this number is correct?

I found in another forum a Champion RS12YC was said to be the cross referenced plug for the Volvo # given above.

I think I'd prefer to go with the AC or NGK plug.

The interesting part for me when calling is a couple dealers suggested I defer changing my plugs since I have about 125 hours on my existing plugs and they are now 2 1/2 seasons old. Our boating seasson is only about 6 months per year.

The owners manual suggests annually or every 100 hours.

Now our boat is throttle body fuel injected, but would some of you guys not have a problem with keeping the existing plugs in for three seasons?

Mike.

LouC · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2012 10:45 am

Well if you do not fog the engine, and the fuel/air mix with FI helps them not to foul, and there is no oil burning, sure you can run them longer. I like to take the plugs out and look at them after I burn off the fogging oil. If they look black, and there is any electrode wear I change em, but some years I have been able to put em in and use them again. Even with conventional plugs we go at least 30K miles in our vehicles.
With boats stored in the water, esp salt, it is a good idea to remove em once a year so they don't get rusted in place. I use a bit of marine grease on the threads and mine always come right out.

www.iFourWinns.com

Spark Plug recommendation?

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