Benefits of New Spark Plugs..?

Hey guysm today i replaced my pcv filter and hose, along with air filter and a couple other things. I then thought to myself how the hell old must these plugs be...?

Anyway, what will changing my spark plugs do..? My friend told me the car will run better, and save gas...? Is that true, i mean at autozone i can get bosch platinum plugs for like 2.99 each, so changing all 8 wouldn't be that costly, yet maybe i should leave well enough alone. Right now she idle fine, runs good etc.

PS, changing them, don't i just take out the old one, and put in the new..? Or do i have to do anything else..? 95 4.6 tbird btw..

you have to set the correct gap, which isnt hard... but you have to know what you are doing... on my gokart i would just get a peace of wood and shave it down untill it matched the correct gap and tap the....damn it, what is it called, the little metal bar that hands over the electrode... ya that thing.
anyway i would tap itwith a lead mallet untill i got the correct gap then i would check it with a gap finder (you know thoes little pieces of metal that tell how much clearence you have)

my mind is blank and i am tired....you'll have to excuse me....

Lol, it's ok..yeah i know about the gap thingy.. I'm gonna have a buddy do it..he know more about this stuff then me, i'll let him gap it to factory specs..which is in my tbird book i got.

Plugs are somewhat sacrificial. Where the spark jumps the gap, the metal gets eroded away over time. Its not usually a factor until very high mileage, but what does tend to happen is carbon, oil, junk, and other debris gets stuck on the plug reducing its ability to fire a full spark.

You're right. Even the good plugs are cheap, and aside from a couple busted knuckles there is nothing wrong with replacing them. My dad used to replace his once a year with Autolites. 99 cents a piece and it can't hurt.

You're also right... just pull the old ones out and put new ones in. When you're pulling the wires off, don't pull on the wire, just pull the boot. If you pull the connector off the wire you've just added work for yourself. I like to use a little anti-seize on the threads when I'm putting them back in. If you don't have anti seize, just use a little oil or something. You also don't have to torque them down very hard. Just snug them up.

I also like to thread them in by hand so I know they're not crossthreaded.

Thanks curtis... I just got a job at autozone, so i'm starting to learn alot about cars..and how they run. Mainly from polite customers too. Lol, i worked there for a week so far...and already i changed my air filter..pcv..some hoses..radiator hose's..battery (old one was leaking).. Next is plugs, fuel filter (maybe i'll go to avis for them to do that) a good oil change.. I'm gonna get that stuff you recomended me a little while back-the stuff that you put in that basically de-greases the engine of sludge, then change all that crap out.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SPRING DAMNIT.. lol.. My baby needs a good waxing also..

Thanks curtis... I just got a job at autozone, so i'm starting to learn alot about cars..and how they run. Mainly from polite customers too. Lol, i worked there for a week so far...and already i changed my air filter..pcv..some hoses..radiator hose's..battery (old one was leaking).. Next is plugs, fuel filter (maybe i'll go to avis for them to do that) a good oil change.. I'm gonna get that stuff you recomended me a little while back-the stuff that you put in that basically de-greases the engine of sludge, then change all that crap out.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SPRING DAMNIT.. lol.. My baby needs a good waxing also..
Ya know, you and I are incredibly alike. We have the "bug". I can understand that it takes all kinds, but we are the type that takes SO much pride in improving our vehicles. It could be something as small as an air filter; we can't feel the extra 2 hp we got, but we know we've improved the car on some level. My wife is one of those "Toyota" types. She wants to buy a car and never have to do anything to it but change the oil and put gas in it. I can fully understand that... I'm the same way with computers. I like to buy it, maybe add some software, but I hate to have to repair something about them.

But personally, I like improving my cars on whatever level it may be. I think many of use here are just like you; car freaks striving for more knowledge any way we can find it. We should be like AA... "hello, my name is Curtis and I have an automotive addiction."

Lol curtis, my bother is the "toyota" type.. Every car he's had..it's been like, "oh, you gotta change the oil..? what is an air filter"..lol..

I can't even tell you how i'm gonna be when i pick up a 98SS camaro..that thing will be my girl.. I believe, like i bet you do, that cars are alive-i swear it... Like my good friend says, "treat her with respect, and she'll never let you down"..

Hello, my name is Brandon and I have an automotive addiction. Somedays I think I really should stop trying to learn about them because I have learned so much in such a little time (in about 3 months). It is crazy the amount of info the human brain can retain and remember in such a little time when it wants to. I am a beginner automotive addict, is there a cure? If there is keep it away from me. I love this addicting feeling.
Oh yea by the way if you get colder rated spark plugs I think increase the HP by like 1-2 HP and I can't remember if my cousin said to use or not use platium spark plugs.:banghead:

Hello, my name is Don, I also am an automotive addict. Sometimes, when nobody is around, I like to do shadetree mechanic stuff....Someone please help! :uhoh: