RW> Everybody does that now days. Your wife's Dodge is proof of platinum   
   RW> plugs   
   RW> going the distance, even when they're 45k miles beyond what the factory   
   RW> recommends. It would be interesting to know what brand they used back in   
   RW> 2000.   
      
   I plan on finding out soon enough when I replace them.  I have been unable to   
   find out what spark plugs they use from the factory on the 2001 Durango 4.7.   
      
   RW> Since they haven't used gaskets (per se') for over a decade, what exactly   
   RW> was it that failed? i.e. Since 1997, LS engines use o-rings on a 'gasket'   
   RW> carrier look a like.   
      
   The "gasket" that is used on my lower intake is made out of rubber, with a   
   metal frame.  The real problem ended up not being the "gasket", but the heads   
   and lower intake themselves having what looked like "rotting" (like a cavity).   
   Due to the aluminum being eaten away, it sprung a leak.     
      
   At 67k, the dealership put some type of goo to try and seal it after taking   
   the lower intake off.  That worked for about 70k more miles and then it failed   
   again.     
      
   The people that replaced my motor believe the original heads might not have   
   been casted properly.  They couldn't really explain what had happened.   
      
   RW> That engine was also used in the Lumina and Malibu, and they haven't   
   RW> faired any better. Malibu's can be picked up cheap these days and after a   
   RW> head gasket job, they can last longer than they originally did.   
      
   True.  That is my plan.  Rebuild the car better than it was to start with.    
   I'm already 75% there.  :)   
      
   - Mark   
      
   --- WWIVToss v.1.50    
    * Origin:  http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (1:261/1304.0)