I had stopped at Advance Auto to dump recycled used motor oil and about 4 recent vehicle oil changes and went ahead and bought new plugs for my 97DI. I got the Bosch Plus for 2.99 each, so I started swapping them out today.

I do not know how long these had been in there, I have owned the Disco 3 years and just never got around to the plugs yet because it was running so smooth. Does anyone know what came in a 97 Disco I as original equipment? I know these must have been in there a while judging from how difficult it was to remove them.

I pulled the number 2 plug first, it was a little stiff but came out cleanly. No. 4 turned about 1/4 turn then felt real tight. I went to No. 6, it was also stiff. At that point I broke out the PB Blaster. I have never had to use PB Blaster to remove a spark plug from any other vehicle, but these were so stiff, I was afraid of breaking the plug or damaging the block somehow, so I sprayed a littlePB, then a little more, and even more PB.

With extreme patience and careful application of force, I managed to get all 8 out with no damage except one spark plug wire pulled out of the rubber boot. The plug wires were label Lucas and each one was numbered corresponding to the plug number, so I am guessing they may be original as well. The local LR dealer had no record of ever doing a tune-up for the previous owner.

I carefully cleaned the area around each threaded spark plug hole and installed each new plug. The ones I removed were not oily, they had a tannish color to theelctrodesand each one measured .045 gap. The new ones were all pregapped at .035. I took pics to post later. The white electrodes look rather odd compared to what I an used to seeing.

When the plug wire came apart, I checked local availability and prices, then I called Rovers North and ordered a set of their ProLine Wires for 50 bucks shipped today.

I know most of you advocate the Magnecor 8MM, but I been trying to do as much as possible on a tight budget, so I opted to try the ProLine ones. I have used a lot of ProLine products from Rovers North and have had no problems with any of it. I will let you guys know how they are in a couple of days.

 

Champion plugs are OEM.
I always spray Liquid Wrench on the spark plug threads before trying to remove them, I spray one side, change them, then spray the other side.

 

Any mfg of plug wires is better than just getting 7MM. I got a set of Bosch 7mm when I first got the truck and it lasted 4 months. I got them replaced and that set lasted 6 months. I swapped them out for a new set, got my new Magnacors on, and sold the 7MM on e-bay.