Bravo 3 Drive Service

My appologizes, I ment to say Iridium plugs. I get a lot of people wanting to swap over to them from platnium, so I get confused at times.

You are correct in your statement of gapping platnium plugs

I was looking for the 'hail' smiley but couldn't find it. :grin:
 
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Of course I have to ask now are Iridum plugs better? How much more is the cost? Seems if I don't have to gap them it's one less thing to mess up :)

Also I'm 6'1" 280# I still don't see myself getting in there. Why don't they make it easier to get at the transome and that end of the engine? Seems like it would be easy to do. I've often wondered under the cover where the bilde exhaust comes out since the cover has screws that if I removed it would I find this magical access panel. I can see myself climbing in there/over the engine and getting stuck LOL that would be fun NOT!
 
http://www.ngk.com/sparkplug411.asp?kw=Iridium&mfid=1
^^it says it sells over a $100 per plug, but they are about the same price as the platinum. If not a tad higher. I run these in my car and noticed a distinct difference from the platinums that were in there.


Im 6'1" but a mere 170lbs, so I can pretty much fit anywhere.
I've been inbetween the cabin and the hull on one of our 43' Silvertons:grin:


edit* realized I've been spelling platInum wrong
 
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SR Tech said:
http://www.ngk.com/sparkplug411.asp?kw=Iridium&mfid=1
^^it says it sells over a $100 per plug, but they are about the same price as the platinum. If not a tad higher. I run these in my car and noticed a distinct difference from the platinums that were in there.


Im 6'1" but a mere 170lbs, so I can pretty much fit anywhere.
I've been inbetween the cabin and the hull on one of our 43' Silvertons:grin:
Click to expand...

Wow, calling morpheus out on his size! Hey, it's a boat so there is no room. But it's a lot easier working on your boat than your car and frankly a whole lot more fun. LOL
 
SR Tech said:
http://www.ngk.com/sparkplug411.asp?kw=Iridium&mfid=1
^^it says it sells over a $100 per plug, but they are about the same price as the platinum. If not a tad higher. I run these in my car and noticed a distinct difference from the platinums that were in there.
Click to expand...

So which is better? Platinum or Iridium?

Do they really make that much of a difference?


If I understand correct, the platinum, we have to use the gap tool to set it at the correct gap while the iridiums, they are already gapped at the correct measurements for our boat?
 
"Iridium is a precious metal that is 6 times harder and 8 times stronger than platinum, it has a 1,200(=F) higher melting point than platinum and conducts electricity better."
^
First sentence in my link:grin:

They do perform better, most benefits will be achieved on a performance motor. But you can feel a difference compared to a conventional or platinum plug. The real difference is going to be in acceleration.

The newer MPI's really enjoy having Iridiums in there from my experience. I would not go and get a set for my 4cyl though. Except for my car:grin:

I personally, run Iridium plugs in a colder heat range because of the amount of boost that I am providing to the motor.

Platinums as Fishnut said, to need to be gapped to the engines specifications.

Iridium plugs have a set gap to provide the most powerful spark possible, also resulting in better gas mileage.

:thumbsup:
 
SR Tech said:
"Iridium is a precious metal that is 6 times harder and 8 times stronger than platinum, it has a 1,200(=F) higher melting point than platinum and conducts electricity better."
^
First sentence in my link:grin:

They do perform better, most benefits will be achieved on a performance motor. But you can feel a difference compared to a conventional or platinum plug. The real difference is going to be in acceleration.

The newer MPI's really enjoy having Iridiums in there from my experience. I would not go and get a set for my 4cyl though. Except for my car:grin:

I personally, run Iridium plugs in a colder heat range because of the amount of boost that I am providing to the motor.

Platinums as Fishnut said, to need to be gapped to the engines specifications.

Iridium plugs have a set gap to provide the most powerful spark possible, also resulting in better gas mileage.

:thumbsup:
Click to expand...


I provided a link for our engine 5.0L MPI. Would this be the correct spark plug? Do you know the correct gap for our engine?

http://www.ngk.com/results_appOther.asp?otherMotiveID=215593&mfid=1
 
Yes, that is the iridium plug that you would use. I have boxes upon boxes in stock because of the popularity of the swap

Traditional/Platinum plug gaps on V8 are around .035 I think. It says it on top of your flame arrester.
 
SR Tech said:
Yes, that is the iridium plug that you would use. I have boxes upon boxes in stock because of the popularity of the swap

Traditional/Platinum plug gaps on V8 are around .035 I think. It says it on top of your flame arrester.
Click to expand...

If some of those fell into a box with my address on it I wouldn't tell anyone :grin:

Well sounds like we have the spark plug question squared away for our engines, even if they do cost more I'd rather pay more to have better plugs with the correct gap then screw up gaping the Platinum ones. I'm sure I could probably get it right but one less thing to worry about and if it gives me better accelleration and fule economy that's just an extra bonus.

SR Tech, did you get Merch traning directly from Merc? Did you like do it yourself or did the place you work for arrange it?

I still think there should be a place you can go to learn this stuff hands on.
 
Morpheus said:
If some of those fell into a box with my address on it I wouldn't tell anyone :grin:



SR Tech, did you get Merch traning directly from Merc? Did you like do it yourself or did the place you work for arrange it?

I still think there should be a place you can go to learn this stuff hands on.
Click to expand...


SRTECH...yea, I will PM you my address as well. :grin: lol

Anyways, if there was a place that would offer training on mercruiser engines and be certified, you can bet I would be signing up for the class.

Guess I will have to resort to using my service manual and use this board for advice and troubleshooting.
 
I have my assc.degree in ATS (Automotive Technical Services)

I have attended Merc school atleast twice a year for a while now.

You just need to have a Merc dealer number, you have to pass a 170 question fundamentals test (85%^) before they'll even let you think about taking courses or any other tests.

Maybe i'll start up a course:grin:...Merc would probably put out a hit on me:smt043

You can go to any engine fundamentals course offered at a local community college.

A motor is a motor, the main difference is going to be the cooling system. The only thing is they don't really cover distributors or carbs anymore.
 
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SR Tech said:
I have my assc.degree in ATS (Automotive Technical Services)

I have attended Merc school atleast twice a year for a while now.

You just need to have a Merc dealer number, you have to pass a 170 question fundamentals test (85%^) before they'll even let you think about taking courses or any other tests.

Maybe i'll start up a course:grin:...Merc would probably put out a hit on me:smt043

You can go to any engine fundamentals course offered at a local community college.

A motor is a motor, the main difference is going to be the cooling system. The only thing is they don't really cover distributors or carbs anymore.
Click to expand...

That's the problem I've contacted the local community college's and well I guess they suck cause they have had nothing to offer :(

Where do I sign up for your classes, I'll be your body guard as well from Merc :p
 
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