gone2long Posted June 21, 2020 Report Share Posted June 21, 2020 Greetings from SE Asia, I was having starting problems with my 1979 1/2 Datsun 720, so I decided to change the plugs. Locals advised against using NGK plugs saying that many on the market here are actually counterfeit. Instead, they suggested using Bosch plugs, at $6 a clip here. Anybody know which Bosch plug I should ask for? I should also mention that the small (1,800 cc?) Z engine on her has been modified to do away with the original emissions system, so she uses only 4 plugs. Thanks, G2L. 1 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted June 21, 2020 Report Share Posted June 21, 2020 You can't get NGK through a verified supply chain? 1 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted June 21, 2020 Report Share Posted June 21, 2020 Do not buy NGK from Amazon. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 21, 2020 Report Share Posted June 21, 2020 8 hours ago, gone2long said: Greetings from SE Asia, I was having starting problems with my 1979 1/2 Datsun 720, so I decided to change the plugs. Locals advised against using NGK plugs saying that many on the market here are actually counterfeit. Instead, they suggested using Bosch plugs, at $6 a clip here. Anybody know which Bosch plug I should ask for? I should also mention that the small (1,800 cc?) Z engine on her has been modified to do away with the original emissions system, so she uses only 4 plugs. Thanks, G2L. They are made in Japan, almost walking distance from where you are, so get them there. If you find counterfeit plugs take them back and complain, you'll be helping the next guy. The model year change for most Nissans begins on or around June/July of the previous year. Any 720 with a build date of June '79 and on are '80 model years. The build date on the door jam is important for ordering parts. WE got Z20/22 and Z24 engines. I know about the Z16 720, they were exported to Europe. Good to hear about the Z18. 2 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted June 21, 2020 Report Share Posted June 21, 2020 Wow, I'd say that's hard to believe but this day and age everything gets copied... That's almost something that should be it's own topic so everyone knows.... I always use ngk and recommend them... hopefully I bought the good ones. 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted June 21, 2020 Report Share Posted June 21, 2020 (edited) I actually just bought some of the lazer iridium plugs for my wifes Subaru and just went to have a look.... I spent $40 for a set of 4, I did buy them off ebay so I was a little worried after reading this.. One thing I noticed was if you read the listing the cheaper ones while marked ngk were listed as unbranded.... The ones I bought stated they are ngk brand and they seem to be legitimate from the way ngk tells you to identify them.... This from the ngk website... http://www.ngk-sparkplugs.jp/english/techinfo/fake/index.html I could actually see the ngk marked In the wrong location in the ebay pictures.. Edited June 21, 2020 by Crashtd420 1 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted June 21, 2020 Report Share Posted June 21, 2020 Just now, Crashtd420 said: I actually just bought some of the lazer iridium plugs for my wifes Subaru and just went to have a look.... I spent $40 for a set of 4, I did buy them off ebay so I was a little worried after reading this.. One thing I noticed was if you read the listing the cheaper ones while marked ngk were listed as unbranded.... The ones I bought stated they are ngk brand and they seem to be legitimate from the way ngk tells you to identify them.... This from the ngk website... I could actually see the ngk marked In the wrong location in the ebay pictures.. I made this mistake - bought NGK iridiums off ebay and they are counterfeit. Half of them wouldn't even fit in my normal spark plug socket. Unfortunately I waited too long and wasn't sure at the time that they were counterfeit, so I didn't return them. Bought real ones at the LAPS and really they weren't that much more expensive... 1 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted June 21, 2020 Report Share Posted June 21, 2020 3 hours ago, Charlie69 said: Do not buy NGK from Amazon. ...or ebay. 1 Quote Link to comment
gone2long Posted June 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 20 hours ago, thisismatt said: Bosch cross over? Hi Matt, Sorry, but I am in the boonies. Can get virtually nothing here, and spending a couple of grand to go to Japan for spark plugs aint exactly in the cards. Do you know of a Bosch plug that would cross over? The FR8DPX was suggested, and the specs for heat, reach, gap, etc. are the same as the NGK, BPRES - 11 suggested in my truck manual. The FR is a "platinum plus" plug with "Super plus technology" - whatever that means. : ) Sounds like a Bosch plug upgrade, though relatively expensive, might be a good idea. Comments anyone? PS - Yeah, I found that video too while trying to decide on a plug substitute. Good stuff. Thanks, G2L 1 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 Here are some options for you... 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 No one suggested you go to Japan for them but you could contact someone at NGK and have them sent to you. If you're in the boonies how is getting Bosch any different. I highly recommend NGK and wouldn't suggest anything else but them. 1 Quote Link to comment
Stinky Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 As mentioned...rockauto. You should be running a $1.50 copper plug. They work better, but not last longer. 1 Quote Link to comment
gone2long Posted June 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2020 On 6/21/2020 at 9:26 PM, datzenmike said: On Vin #s etc. On 6/21/2020 at 9:26 PM, datzenmike said: Thanks Mike, et all for the advice, and sorry for the "off the cuff" comment about a trip to Japan. No insult intended. Indeed, I always learn a lot whenever I ask anything on this site. Unfortunately, the Vin plate does not exist on my truck. Probably got taken off by whoever initially imported it as "scrap" from Japan. Regarding my interest in the Bosh plugs, the fact is that a local guy swore by them, and a few sets of Bosh plugs was all that the local shop had on hand, due (in part) to the cov 19 virus disrupting supply chains. The virus also makes getting anything directly from Japan or the US via mail or a courier relatively impossible at this time. So, at the moment, it's Bosch or nothing. Thanks again for all the valuable insights. - G2L On 6/21/2020 at 9:26 PM, datzenmike said: They are made in Japan, almost walking distance from where you are, so get them there. If you find counterfeit plugs take them back and complain, you'll be helping the next guy. The model year change for most Nissans begins on or around June/July of the previous year. Any 720 with a build date of June '79 and on are '80 model years. The build date on the door jam is important for ordering parts. WE got Z20/22 and Z24 engines. I know about the Z16 720, they were exported to Europe. Good to hear about the Z18. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 24, 2020 Report Share Posted June 24, 2020 NGK are what Nissan put into them. I'm a fan of factory parts and seldom does another or after market part exceed factory quality. Bosch will work. Champion used to be good 50 years ago. 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted June 24, 2020 Report Share Posted June 24, 2020 Out of curiosity I decided to look up other brands than Ngk as being counterfeit.... Guess what you can find counterfeit versions of every brand spark plug.... Ngk Bosche Denso and Champion to name a few.... I would still go with the ngk... Go to Ngks website and they should have a list of legitimate suppliers..... 1 Quote Link to comment
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