Author Topic: Sparkplug discontinued?  (Read 7932 times)

66andBlue

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #25 on: June 20, 2020, 05:09:36 »
Hello Wolfgang,
if you look closely under the column "S" it states "Firing End Construction", the fixed terminal nut is on the other end.
Since this NGK nomenclature is so confusing I inquired with the NGK Technical Support-USA why some BP5ES have a removable terminal and on others it is fixed. Here the reply:
"Thank you for your inquiry.
There are different terminal types for spark plugs. We no longer offer BP5ES in a loose design, the type where you can unscrew the tip, so the solid terminal type is normal for this plug. The loose design has superseded to the solid terminal type, stock number 7832 to stock number 2140.
 Please let me know if you have any additional questions."

I followed up by asking whether there is a decoder that would tell us which stock number for other plugs has the removable terminal nut but received no further replies.

Thus anyone searching for the correct BP5ES look for stock number 7832. Or perhaps for stock number 6511 as Paul noted earlier.

And if you search for BP6ES then find stock number 7333 and DO NOT buy the new stock number 7811, it has a fixed terminal.

Given that confusing state of part numbers it will be best to ask specifically whether the plug has a removable terminal nut.





« Last Edit: June 20, 2020, 05:19:33 by 66andBlue »
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

FGN59

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #26 on: June 20, 2020, 22:16:10 »
I recently purchased 2 sets of plugs on Amazon, one of BP5ES (6511) and the other BP6ES (7811). Both types have removable terminals screwed onto the external threaded part (lead?) that fits into the connector of our cars. Once The terminals are removed, they fit perfectly.
François

1994 Toyota Land Cruiser SW HDJ80 4.2L diesel
sold:
1969 280SL US specs, 4-speed manual, beige-grey (726H), parchment leather
1962 Jaguar MK2 3.8L (4.2L XJ6 engine), black, tan leather interior
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66andBlue

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #27 on: June 21, 2020, 04:33:31 »
Good to know that you found a 7811 with a removable terminal nut.
This is another proof that NGK's numbering is out of wack.
Here are the details from another NGK information site (I added the coloring to highlight):
--
BP6ES - NGK Replacement Spark Plug Sparkplug - NEW No. 7811
Spanner Size : 20.8 mm (21mm)
Thread : M14
Thread Length : 19mm
Top Connection : FIXED top nut (Terminal Nut)
Spark Projection : 3mm
Nickel Centre Electrode
1 Single Earth Electrode
Non Resistor Type
Seat Type : Gasket Washer
--
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

mdsalemi

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #28 on: June 22, 2020, 15:42:04 »
Hmmm.

I stock both BP5ES and BP6ES in my "kit".
Stock #s 7832 and 7333 respectively. With removable tops.
My car runs better with the BP5ES, so that's what I just bought for a lifetime supply. I do have a new set of the BP6 as well.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

alpina

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #29 on: June 22, 2020, 18:48:55 »
I  recently bought NGK BP5ES (6511) from Amazon here in Spain and they have removable tops.

Atazman

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #30 on: June 23, 2020, 04:39:33 »
Who would have thought..........first toilet paper and now spark plugs!   ;D

I joined right in thinking it is time to change my BP6ES plugs for BP5ES.  Went to one of my favorite places (Rock Auto) and bought apparently their last "5" BP5ES for $0.81/each.  I know..... how much good will "5" spark plugs do me??  They arrived this past week. 

Well.... I need  at least 1 more BP5ES plug, so ordered  from EBAY.  Also arrived this past week, only it is a BPR5ES plug.  I sent it back.

Still on the hunt for one more BP5ES.
Don
67 250 Sl
(#3168) from Italy
5-speed/Posi/AC/Kinder

neelyrc

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #31 on: June 23, 2020, 05:36:05 »
Still on the hunt for one more BP5ES.

Try Advanced Auto Parts, physical stores, not on line.  A few days ago when I bought the last set of 6 from one store they had two single plugs still on the shelf.  Another of their stores I checked also had two only.  You might get lucky!
Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
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UJJ

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #32 on: June 23, 2020, 13:29:55 »
I just got 12 from Rock Auto for $1.48 each.
Urban Janssen
Grass Valley, CA
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mdsalemi

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #33 on: June 24, 2020, 20:36:41 »
Also arrived this past week, only it is a BPR5ES plug.  I sent it back.

Still on the hunt for one more BP5ES.

PM sent.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid


mdsalemi

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #35 on: June 24, 2020, 20:42:24 »
Still available on Amazon for about $3.00 each......

Both AlexD and myself tried this. They send the Resistor plugs!!!
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

mrfatboy

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #36 on: June 24, 2020, 20:45:15 »
Both AlexD and myself tried this. They send the Resistor plugs!!!

This happened to a friend of mine also.
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
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jeblack123

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #37 on: June 24, 2020, 21:17:50 »
Thank you. I stand corrected......

James

Benz Dr.

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #38 on: June 24, 2020, 22:37:02 »
I've had the same plugs in my car for over ten years and I've never had them out to even look at them. Once you get your ignition and fuel ratios set right pugs should last a long time. I've probably put 30,000 miles on the car in the last ten years.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
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1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
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1988 560SEC

Mike K

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #39 on: June 26, 2020, 13:28:41 »
About a year ago I noticed that theses spark plugs were becoming increasingly difficult to find, both in France and South Africa. It didn't seem to make sense.

I had a sneaky feeling that at some point they were going to discontinue these plugs.  So I bought a dozen of the BP5ES for my 280SL Pagoda which lives in France and dozen of the  BP6EFS for my R107 300SL which lives in South Africa. 

Based on Dan's numbers above that should be enough spark plugs to outlive me.....
« Last Edit: June 26, 2020, 13:49:21 by Mike K »
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mdsalemi

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #40 on: June 26, 2020, 17:48:16 »
My guess is good old standby Bosch and Champion have non-resistor plugs that will work.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

Benz Dr.

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #41 on: June 26, 2020, 18:17:28 »
I won't use Champion spark plugs on an aluminum head engine. Both Bosch and NGK use nickel-plated shells which tend not to seize in aluminum. Use whatever you want but be careful with what you use. 
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

mdsalemi

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #42 on: June 27, 2020, 18:59:56 »
I won't use Champion spark plugs on an aluminum head engine. Both Bosch and NGK use nickel-plated shells which tend not to seize in aluminum. Use whatever you want but be careful with what you use.

Champion plugs today feature what they call "TinTac® and ULTRASEAL" and they claim "eliminates the need for use of anti-seize compound by providing the best corrosion protection of any spark plug"

I'm not here to sell them [Champion] or to test them; I have a lifetime supply of NGK.

If you ever screw anything in, that eventually must come out, particularly with dissimilar metals, I'm a fan of anti-seize. I generally use light coatings of "silver grade".
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

stickandrudderman

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #43 on: June 28, 2020, 08:53:10 »
i just renewed my stock of W7DC and had no problem buying 100 of them from my usual supplier.

WRe

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #44 on: June 28, 2020, 09:05:45 »
Hi,
I second Dan's statement about Champion spark plugs. I've used them for years and 30.000km and had problems with my new NGKs because of "altered" threads. It was hard to screw the NGKs in.
...WRe

merrill

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #45 on: June 29, 2020, 19:42:57 »
hello

NAPA has the NGK 7333 BP6ES on the shelf
Bosch W7DC are available from K&K and Authentic classics as well as other suppliers

I ended up buying 6 ngk from Napa and 12 w7dc from a vw supply house. 
At the rate i drive i now have a lifetime supply of these plugs.

Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

mdsalemi

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #46 on: June 30, 2020, 13:10:26 »
NAPA has the NGK 7333 BP6ES on the shelf
Bosch W7DC are available from K&K and Authentic classics as well as other suppliers

Merrill, it depends on where you are! Here in NC, they are about wiped out (NAPA) of the NGKs. One local place had none; another had 5. I ended up buying sets at O'Reilly and Advanced. Of course AlexD and his pals in the Raleigh-Durham area wiped out the NAPA supply...

...and like many others I now have 18 BP5ES "in stock", as well as a set of BP6ES.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

col320ce

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #47 on: July 01, 2020, 13:01:32 »
There are still plenty available in Australia ... if anyone needs pointing in the right direction let me know.
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

WRe

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #48 on: July 01, 2020, 14:44:23 »
Hi,
in the meantime I believe that this story "to stop the production of non-resistor plugs" was launched by NGK to push their spark plug sales. ;-)
...WRe

mdsalemi

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Re: Sparkplug discontinued?
« Reply #49 on: July 01, 2020, 15:43:30 »
Hi,
in the meantime I believe that this story "to stop the production of non-resistor plugs" was launched by NGK to push their spark plug sales. ;-)
...WRe

Haha. Remember, that all the plugs we've purchased, as far as NGK has been concerned, were already sold. Whether they sit on the shelf at NAPA or Advanced, or O'Reilly--doesn't matter. These retailers already bought and paid for them. We're just reducing inventory.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid