[Compoundcoaltrain]

I just changed engines in my 98 zx2 with a white valve cover engine . My new to me black valve cover engine has different spark plugs than the my old white top . The thread legnth is different. I mixed up plugs , what ones go to what does any one know does the ngk tr5s go to the black engine or the motorcraft sp432s?

 

[Apex]

Is it a PTR5A-13 or a TR5? If TR5 It sounds like neither set is correct.

A TR5 has way less reach than the correct spark plug (probably the thread length difference you mentioned). SP478 is the correct motorcraft part number, I'm not sure what an SP432 is for but a quick look says they are for the Ford 3.0 V6 and mazda I4s and V6s, not the Zetec.

Also, the valve covers are swappable, many people like the cover over the spark plug boots. I would keep that off of the old engine.

 

[marclar]

I have no idea what your talking about.

 

[Apex]

I have no idea what your talking about.

Also, this ^

Even the focus uses the same spark plugs, there was never a change to them.

 

[marclar]

I dont know what a 'white valve cover engine' is.

 

[Apex]

Early 98 zx2 has a white-ish valve cover.

 

[marclar]

interesting, don't recall seeing that. anyway, the 98 calls for SP478 plug.

 

[Apex]

I only know because I have an early 98 lol

 

[pextor]

There's a pic of a 98 Zetec in this thread:

98 ZX2 to 99 Sedan SPI->Zetec swap story thread

6 months ago my beloved 99 sedan dropped her valve seat at 158k miles, the seat fell onto the piston, breaking it, and then sending the rod right through the block...ending that engine's story. I had just dropped my tuition money for fall term, so there was no getting another engine right away...

www.feoa.net

 

[marclar]

valve cover does not have anything to do with a variaton of the engine. they probably changed to a hotter/colder plug due to emissions.

 

[madmatt2024]

I don't believe it matters. On my 98, the OE plugs had 1/3 less threads than the aftermarket ones but the distance between the tapered seat and the end of the plug that goes into the combustion chamber is the same so it doesn't matter. Rockauto lists the same Motorcraft plug for all ZX2 years.

 

[4cylinder]

they take the same as the blue top engines. All 3 versions use the same. A lot of people call these cars escorts and order the wrong plug getting the ones for the escort when they should be asking for the zx2. Escort ones will fit but are different