Thermostat -n- plugs

[flyn2001]

Just finished winterizing my boat and changing all the fluids.  I was looking at the thermostat and that thing has seen better days.  I looked on the TMS parts page but it doesn't give the option to buy a new thermostat or O-rings.  Here are the part numbers.  Any suggestions for replacement?

1632562010A GASKET,WATER INLET HOUSING
9091603113 THERMOSTAT
9676119026 RING,O

Also,  I was thinking about replacing the plugs for next season.  Any suggestions on type?  I was thinking NGK platinum.  Would it be the same as for the GS400?  Thanks for any input.  flyn2001.

[cyclone]

http://www.epicmarine.com/forum4/index.php?topic=1160.msg10247#msg10247

Rust-n-rot posted a Stant off-the-shelf thermostat and O ring part number in the post above.

I generally have had better luck with the Denso plugs, they cross for an '00 GS400. You can buy them at any Toyota dealer. I can't remember the part number off the top of my head, but if you search its on the board somewhere. I like to freak out the local Toyota parts dork by asking for Toyota boat parts, make him look it up for 15 min and then tell him to give me Lexus LS/GS 400 plugs:) They are iridium tipped and are 12-15$ ea.

I wouldn't replace them unless you're running rough, myself.

[DENNIS]

I finally replaced my plugs after 8 seasons and I got plugs for a 4.7L Tundra.  They are the same plug but you need to change the gap.  Very easy and affordable Denso's.

Dennis

[Rambling Wreck]

I installed Denso's this summer. AFTER I gapped them I noticed, "DO NOT GAP these plugs" or something similar written on every box. I also vaguely recall seeing the same thing in the owner's manual. I am guessing that it is probably because the iridium is a coating on the tip of the plug that can be rubbed off when gapping them. Anone know the real reason?

With that said, I really couldn't tell any difference between them and the cheap Autolites Breakawaydaze installed a few years before. Mmmm, maybe that should say the Autolites that cheap Breakaway.... if it is indeed true that I rubbed off the Iridium, I probably bought some very expensive Autolites!!!

[wakejunky]

Wreck- You hit the nail on the head. The iridium is a coating, if you adjust the gap or even drop one it cracks the coating and the plug will try to fire thru the crack and not the tip.

What I use and what I recommend is you buy standard 2000 Tundra plugs. You can adjust the gap with no problems. There not even platinum plugs. Just standard old plugs, less than $2 each. As often as we change plugs there is no need to keep installing 120,000 mile plugs. I don't think you can even buy autolites for that cheap. Stick with denso's you will have less problems.

[breakawaydaze]

Hey, I am not cheap!  I figure, spark is spark.  If I sensed a big improvement, or even a measureable one between 2.00 plugs and 15.00 dollar plugs I would be all over the 15.00 dollar ones.  I think the problem with our plugs is they foul more often due to the conditions, old gas, stored gas, variable quality of gas etc. etc.  I have had both plugs in both boats and quite frankly cannot tell the difference.  Cheaper plugs means more $$ for variable quality gas! 

[lesman01]

I now am on the autolite yearly plan as I am of the opinion that fire is fire. Although, If someone differs with that assumption, please explain. I'd think that using a different conduction material like iriduim would only serve to extend the life of the plug to give you...more sparks before it degrades...If you change them after every 50 hours or season on our boats...you should be OK.

I went 3 seasons with the $15 plugs and this season started misfiring like a banshee. It was even hard to tell which plugs were bad unplugging the coil packs one at a time. I think after it was all said and done, I changed 6 of the 8 plugs. I was at the lake at the time and all I could find was autolites. Once i got them in it ran like a champ. I'll put a fresh set in before i go out next season just to be sure..and it's only like $25 bucks for the 8. I think I got autolite platinum or double platinum...

and..Breakaway is not cheap. eccentric... maybe, cheap.. never..

[cyclone]

I've changed plugs once in the 950+ hours I've put on my two epics:) Not sure how many times they were changed in the 235 hrs that were on my SX before I bought it.

[breakawaydaze]

eccentric??  I think I would rather be cheap!

[Rambling Wreck]

I am in a gracious mood (won't last long) so I must admit that Breakaway is neither cheap or eccentric - I just wanted to see if he was paying attention! My bet is that he would drop $25 on a plug if he knew there was a reason to do it. He is as fanatical about Epics as he is about cars....

Hey Breakaway, are you ok with fanatical??? PS: Cheaper plugs means more $$ for adult beverages!!!

I would also like to know why Toyota recommends Iridium tipped plugs. Is it simply to get more time between plug changes or this there something else?

[lesman01]

Well, to be clear, I meant eccentric in a good way:

From wikipedia

Eccentricity is often associated with genius, giftedness, or extreme creativity. The individual's eccentric behavior is perceived to be the outward expression of his or her unique intelligence or creative impulse[1

[breakawaydaze]

Now, I am felling much better about being eccentric!!

[breakawaydaze]

Any info I can find on the special tip plugs always says "cleaner spark at lower voltage"  "easier on ignition system"  "blah blah blah".  What I would like to see is a  Horsepower graph or a fuel economy graph showing the difference in cheap and specially tipped plugs.  So far, I cannot find one of these comparisons.  I think I will stick with buying 8 everyday sparkplugs for the price of 2 special sparkplugs, until somebody can show performance / economy difference.  Like I said, I have driven both an E21 and an S22 on both types of plugs and sense no difference whatsoever.

[arrowheadsaver]

So what is the gap if I buy the 2000 tundra plugs?

[wakejunky]

No need to regap. Just buy, install and enjoy.