Bye-bye Autolite- it's been a good run.

[Professor Fate]

Operations at Autolite (and other brands) is shutting down.
It's a pity- despite recent issues and forgeries, Autolite has been my go-to for nearly forty years after I gave up on Champs.
Another legendary brand bites the dust.
MSN
Maybe there will be a reprieve with a new buyer, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[goldduster318]

Cardone was mentioned as being shut down also. I remember at least at one time they were the only people that did remans of a lot of parts on older cars.

 

[niceolddart]

Looks like it's time to stock up on Autolite plugs. It's getting to the point that this Country doesn't make ANYTHING anymore!

 

[RustyRatRod]

I wonder if this means something different than a spark plug is on the horizon for new engines?

 

[MiradaMegaCab]

I wonder if this means something different than a spark plug is on the horizon for new engines?

 

[RustyRatRod]

View attachment 1716503577

 

[Tsully]

Yep, gone are the days of walking into a Western Auto and buying Autolite or Champion Plugs!!!

 

[abodyjoe]

autolite seemed to go down hill years ago. they used to be my goto plug because champion were horrible. now its ngk...

 

[Tsully]

autolite seemed to go down hill years ago. they used to be my goto plug because champion were horrible. now its ngk...

Yeah, never had luck with Champions, they seemed to foul out real easy!

This was in the 80’s when supposedly they were still made in the USA… had an older mechanic tell me one day at the parts house, “Champions are for lawn mowers” get yourself some Autolites and you won’t have any more problems!

So I bought me some Autolite’s for my 340 and he was right! No more issues!

 

[YY1]

Well, crap.

That was the first "trick" I learned about Mopar tuning-

Replace the Champions with Autolites.

 

[MadScientistMat]

First Brands seems to have hired Enron's accounts. With a brand name of that size, I expect someone is going to buy at least the trademark and IP.

Although I will make a mental note to check if the trademark lapses.

 

[halifaxhops]

Prestolite and autolite will be missed. They made most of the electrical motors and distributor parts for Ma Mopar!

 

[A56]

Love my Champions!! lmfao Never any issue with them ever.

Largest US Bankruptcy Since 2008 Crisis​

If you’ve ever changed your own oil or replaced your brake pads, you’ve probably used parts made by First Brands Group.

The Michigan-based company owns Fram filters, Raybestos brakes, Trico wipers, Autolite spark plugs, and more than 20 other brands found at every AutoZone, O’Reilly, and Walmart in America.

On September 28, 2025, First Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with liabilities as high as $50 billion, making it the largest corporate failure since the 2008 financial crisis.

The founder has since resigned amid fraud allegations, and federal prosecutors are now involved.

 

[Vertex_Jeff]

I switched to NGK plugs a few years ago. Nice plugs.

 

[67CBodyGuy]

This got me looking for Autolite 318 LA plugs, maybe buy some for future use. I'm confused about short reach and long reach - both are spec'd for 318? I thought it was only the long-reach. Can both be used on any given LA-318? I'm also looking for non-resistor plugs, can't find any listing (which Autolite P/N would be non-resistor 14 mm thread long reach?).

Edit: OK I guess the 4054 is non-resistor but has no projection so must be a cold plug?

 

[gzig5]

I wonder if this means something different than a spark plug is on the horizon for new engines?

Those Cummins diesel swaps are going to get more popular.

 

[Professor Fate]

I just read a Reuters report that GM and Ford are jointly pursuing a bailout of First Brands in order to keep the supply chains in place...
I guess the fat lady hasn't sung yet.

 

[toolmanmike]

The previous owner of my Swinger used a set of Autolites. I should have saved the number but they sure weren't the long reach N14Y type plugs I'm used to. They came out so hard I thought I might pull threads on the way out. If I remember they were too long and the bottom (exposed) threads were carboned up and there was a hell of a drag on the way out. Not a fan of the brand. I have never had an issue with Champions in the last 50+ years.

 

[YY1]

Any time I have a Mopar engine with intermittent plug fouling, I find Champion plugs are installed.
I switch to Autolite and the fouling issue goes away.

100% of the time.

 

[MadScientistMat]

I also use NGK plugs - possibly a holdover from doing a lot of tech support for Supra and turbo Miata builds. The plugs in my Dart are even the same part number both of those applications typically use.

 

[jos51700]

I've had great luck with Champy's. I ran Autolites in my Neon, after I torqued them to spec, I thought I was done. Nope. The #1 plug rattled out while my ex was driving it. I pulled all 4 and sure enough, the gaskets weren't deformed. Thinking I hadn't tightened them but being sure that I had, I reinstalled one, torqued it, and removed it, and no deformation of the gasket.

I looked at the box, and they were made in China. I have no doubt that the Chyneese made the gaskets too hard and they didn't deform, and this allowed them to work loose.

 

[harrisonm]

autolite seemed to go down hill years ago. they used to be my goto plug because champion were horrible. now its ngk...

I switched to NGK plugs a few years ago. Nice plugs.

I have been putting Autolite plugs in my modified 340 for years. It has headers, Eddy Air Gap, MSD, and a decent cam. It is at about 375 HP. Which NGK plug do you use?

 

[abodyjoe]

Which NGK plug do you use?

i'll have to go out and look after work.. their heat ranges are opposite of what you think too.. autolite 66 is hotter then a 65. pretty sure ngk go opposite direction.

 

[Vertex_Jeff]

My application is Big Block, aluminum heads and about 11.5 static compression ratio.
Here is one NGK heat range i have used:
NGK Spark Plugs BKR7E NGK V-Power Spark Plugs | Summit Racing

 

[subcom]

Been using Autolite 3922s in my turbo 5.9 for the last 5 years or so. Cheap and they just work. I’ll have to buy a couple of spare sets now.