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Tue Sep 08, 2009 6:25 pm

I can't believe that I had to buy spark plugs from WW. I went to autozone, Advanced Discount Auto Parts, Pep Boys..... (actually autozone said that they had some lawn mower plugs :lol: )

Cut to the chase, does anyone have a source of spark plugs other than mail order?

Thanks!

Tue Sep 08, 2009 6:40 pm

Wouldn't a source besides mail order/online be dependent on where you live?

Tue Sep 08, 2009 7:01 pm

Not knowing where you live or what plugs are in the engine. I am really surprised that the local FLAPS (freindly local auto parts store) was not able to assist you.
Put your location in the avatar

Tue Sep 08, 2009 8:25 pm

Just ask for Bosch W8AC or their equivalent

Tue Sep 08, 2009 8:38 pm

I work at Autozone, and even I couldn't get plugs for my '63, even though I'm running a 1600DP. The plugs they have are either not available, or are platinums. So I ordered my plugs from CB performance. Funny thing is they delayed my order, because the Bosch plugs(I asked for the W8BC) are no longer available, and asked if I wanted the NGK equivalent instead. I said "hell yeah, I can't even find those around here."

-Keith

Wed Sep 09, 2009 3:33 am

So Autozone doesn't sell the new Bosch Super Plus 7902 WR8AC plugs then? I thought I'd heard they did now.

-Andy

Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:32 am

glutamodo wrote: So Autozone doesn't sell the new Bosch Super Plus 7902 WR8AC plugs then? I thought I'd heard they did now.

-Andy

Don't think so. Just try going to Autozone.com, and type that number in the search. It's not available for either the "Ship to home" option, or the "Send to store." If it was available anywhere in our inventory, it would show up.
I believe most parts houses are gravitating towards the more lucrative platinum/iridium plugs, forcing the less informed into buying those. The most amount of plugs I see in our stock, are always the platinums, for the 5 or 6 different brands we carry. There are still standard plugs on the shelf, but none come up in the computer for the AC VW. It may take me pulling a few off the shelf to figure out which have the correct thread depth, size, and heat range(not too sure on this, each company has a different numbering system, so it will be hit or miss). I may have to try looking at the motorcycle plugs(that is basically what our little cars are utilizing for an engine.)

-Keith

Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:57 am

Champion RL87YC. Available off the rack at Farm & Fleet.

Autolite ASP425, NGK 7534, Champion CHA327, all available off the rack at Napa Auto parts stores.

Word to the wise: When you find a local source, buy more than one set, just in case...

Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:00 am

NGK B5HS, and real auto parts store should have them.

Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:49 am

Just like Yellowbeard said, I've always gotten mine at Napa. Last time they asked if I wanted NKG or Bosch as they have both on shelf.

Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:17 pm

Cheers lads! NAPA it is.

For some reason it's just fundamentally wrong to pay shipping for plugs. I ordered 8 just to CMA.

Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:07 am

Glenn wrote: NGK B5HS, and real auto parts store should have them.
i get mine from a motorcycle shop.

Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:12 am

Back in the old days we used to have two heat ranges of Bosch plugs. 145's for town and short distance (hotter plugs) and 175's for racing and lots of FWY use. I believe WW has only one type but they are not numbered in the same way. Does anyone know if Bosch still sell different heat range Bosch plugs and if they do please throw out the different part #'s.

Don

Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:51 am

Yeah, that's the old part numbering system. In the "new" system, the number in it denotes the heat range. A W7AC would be a colder plug than a W8AC. At least those part numbers tell you something, Bosch's latest 4-digit numbering tells you nothing. (W8AC is 7502, W7AC is 7596, and the latest Super Plus plugs would be 7902 and 7996 for those)

If you look here, this is Bosch's chart of how to read the codes on the spark plugs:

http://www.boschautoparts.com/Technical%20Resources/Spark%20Plugs/DesignationCodes.pdf

Fri Sep 11, 2009 1:07 pm

Thanks Andy, I was hoping you were looking in. Now I hope I can find those colder plugs.

Don

Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:17 pm

Glenn wrote: NGK B5HS, and real auto parts store should have them.

These are great. They're getting harder to find though. I was getting them in sets from my local vw parts house.

Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:58 pm

Pardon my ignorance, but what's wrong with the platinum ones? Are they just more expensive? What is the supposed benefit?

Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:03 pm

spectre6000 wrote: Pardon my ignorance, but what's wrong with the platinum ones? Are they just more expensive? What is the supposed benefit?
They simply don't work well.

Not sure on the exact technical reason, but that doesn't change anything.

Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:17 am

Engines with carburetors don't handle platinum plugs well. Platinums have such a tiny electrode that they foul easy. Modern engines with fuel injection and computerized engine management systems control the fuel mixture better.

Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:37 am

The new Bosch WR8AC plugs have internal resistors, don't they? Is that too much with our resistor-type connectors and rotor?