Plug change

[Rocky]

I bought a `94 SHO a few days ago. Neither the Mustang nor the Dakota handle well in the snow, so I was looking for a front
driver, that wasn`t a rust bucket. This SHO is gorgeous, and with no snow in the immediate forecast, I will have a chance to winterize
it. First I want to change the plugs as I don`t have any record of maintenance on this car. The plugs in the front are gravy, but the ones
in the rear look like a pain. It looks like the easiest way to access these is to remove a portion of the Intake manifold. Is this correct,
or am I missing something.

Thanks
Rock`

 

[X-15 SHO]

NO, don't remove the manifold that's what idiots do. All you have to do is get a spark plug socket that has the little rubber inside to hold the plug when pulling it out and a rachet with an extension, that' about it and patience for the back ones. If I can do this in an 89' the 94' should be no sweat since you have more room in the back. Good luck and also use only Motorcraft AGSP32PP since they're the only plug made specific for the SHO and the cheapest resource is at O'Reilly's auto parts for $3.79 each and if there's no O'Reilly's where you live then go to www.fordpartsnetwork.com and they have them for $3.99 each.

<small>[ December 21, 2002, 08:39 PM: Message edited by: X-15 SHO ]</small>

 

[Rocky]

Thanks Rocketman (X-15). I didn`t want to go that route anyway. That`s why I got on here and asked. I had an `87 Ford Ranger that needed an electric fuel pump once. My Chiltons manual told me to drop the fuel tank to access it. It looked to me that the easiest way to get to it was to remove the bed of the truck, which was definately the right way to go in that case. Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

Rock`

 

[X-15 SHO]

No prob. and while you change the plugs make sure you don't have oil leaks in the plug wells because you would need some plug wires too which are sold the cheapest at the link I gave you and if yours is an ATX the wires for the MTX work on them too. Also if there is leaks you might as well take off the intake and valve covers and put new gaskets in and if you need that the cheapest set for the intake, valve covers, and intake gaskets is at http://www.spmotorsports.com/taurus_maint_60Kkits.html for $149

 

[SHO Boom]

removing the intake manifold is the easiest route, to avoid busting knuckles, and it allows you to get familiar with the car. While the intake is off you can clean it out for improved throttle response, gas mileage and power. And you didnt accidentally buy one of those silly sutomatic SHO's did you? that would be a shame

 

[X-15 SHO]

He ha a 94 so the auto ain't bad unless he had the 93. Now about busting knuckles, have you ever changed your plugs? It doesn't bust your knuckes and also that's what the extension is for wink

 

[bradman]

I think I've just been called an idiot by a "junior" member.
Maybe I'm a perfectionist, but I would never change the plugs without pulling the intake. It really isn't that big of a job, and that way you can make sure you don't have oil/dirt in the wells before you remove the old plugs, so it doesn't drain into the cylinders.

 

[X-15 SHO]

I would think you could see the oil on the dip stick part of the wires if they where to have oil leaks unless your blind. boink The removal of the intake is useless unless you plan on doing work on the motor like a 60k.

 

[bradman]

Damn! Now I'm a blind idiot! X-15, you're quite a punk aren't you? Yes, the plugs can be changed without pulling the intake. As far as I'm concerned, it's the half-assed way to do it. You decide what's best for you.

 

[Rocky]

I can`t even see the rear plugs, let alone tell if there is oil in the plug wells. My initial observation is that the Intake wouldn`t be that difficult to remove. Naturally, I would rather not have to, but I guess I have big hands, and I cant reach the plug wires. I`m an old man,(47) and I`ve wrecked many a plug wire trying to dislodge them from a stubborn spark plug. I think I`ll just hang out here for a while and gather feedback and decide for myself which is best.

Yes, my SHO is an automatic. I wasn`t really looking for an SHO, but I`ve always liked them, and this one was on the market. I was really looking for a front wheel drive vehicle for the snow, and wanted something to drive that wasn`t a piece of junk and was attractive. I tried this a couple years ago, and bought a Lumina. Yuck!!! I hated that car, and spent all winter in the R/T because I couldn`t stand to drive the Lumina. I know that the manual trans would be sportier, and quicker, but my Mustang has a five speed for when I feel the need for speed.

I`m new to the SHO world. How plentiful are parts for them? I went to Autozone to buy plugs, and they didn`t have them. Are they normally hard to get a hold of?

 

[Bluto]

Only a lazy person would avoid removing the intake. Wait a minute I'm lazy and even I remove the intake! eek!

It realy is a simple process. I am not a mechanic I only play one on my SHO. Even I can easily remove the intake.

There is a lot to be gained from removing the intake. Especialy if you don't know the history of the car.

If you want to keep it(intake) on, removing the hood will make it much eaiser to get at that pesky rear bank.

Check out www.shotimes.com for info of what to look for when performing prevent maint.

 

[X-15 SHO]

OK, I agree that removol of the intake makes it easier, but if you just want to do the plugs there is no need unless you cannot reach back there and don't mind climbing on the engine bay. I have never removed it for just a plug change or wires, but if you have a extra 30 minutes to drain the coolant and pull the manifold off then go ahead and do it. BTW Rocky I guess your the only one that caught on to what the X-15 is thumbs_u Oh yeah, Autozone does'nt carry any motorcraft plugs so you would have to go to O'Reilly's and if not then www.fordpartsnetwork.com for the cheapest.

 

[Bluto]

x-15 do you drain all your coolant?

 

[X-15 SHO]

Partially, if not there's a hose that will ooze out coolant on the TB.

 

[Jake Korinek]

I did my plugs for the first time the other day, i left the manifold on, and there was a little oil in the holes. i heard this is normal and the mechanics told me i need valve cover gaskets. but for the oil o took a rag and laid it over the hole, placed the socket ontop of it and stuffed it in there and it absorbed most of it. then i took my compressor and blew them out just to make sure. the hardest part was making the wires go from point "A" to point "B".

 

[X-15 SHO]

Yeah it ain't hard to do it with the intake on. Now oil leaks in the plug wells are a common problem in all SHO's but need new gaskets and the cheapest is at http://www.spmotorsports.com/taurus_maint_60Kkits.html and it's at the bottom in a picture and is a kit that's the cheapest. You will not find any other place cheaper then this one for only $149.

 

[Jake Korinek]

Im going to see what i can do up at the dealership, my uncle is the C.O.O and i pay wholesale + 10% on parts. Its a good benefit to have, and a big deciding factor in buying a SHO.

 

[Mike Kopstain]

Rocky, despite what you have been told, your best bet is to remove the intake. Not only will it make changing the plugs easier, but it will allow you to get to know the car (as mentioned above) and it will allow you to check some other stuff. With the intake off you can pick yourself up a couple bottles of berrymans intake cleaner and clean the runners, throttle body, and Idle air bypass valve. From there move on to the intake manifold to head gasket. If there is any black material chipped off, it will need to be replaced. Next, you're changing the plugs, so you may as well make sure you don't have to change them for awhile. If there is oil in the plug wells, suck/ siphon it out and don't put new plugs in until you correct the leak. In order to correct the leak, remove the valve covers. Once the intake is off this is simple. The 3 rubbers tube seals on each valve cover harden over time allowing oil to seep past, filling the plug well. If you are cheap ( ), you may use RTV on these, but just clean everything up all nice like and give it a little time to cure. For the big performance gain, put new plugs in. It's a trifle expensive, but if your current plugs have been sitting in oil for a good amount of time, they are toast and they will drag the new plugs down the toilet with them.

Now if you do go the route of taking the valve covers off, it's not that much more work (but much more time) to check the valve lash. This is very important preventative maintenence as out of adjustment valves don't open all the way and in extreme cases, the shim will get shot out of the lash bucket, effectively destroying the cam. (You don't want to price cams for this engine )

I'm out of breath. Time for sleep.

<small>[ December 22, 2002, 02:29 AM: Message edited by: Mikeys_Taurus ]</small>

 

[SHOman24v]

how often are we changing spark plugs? dont they last a while...it seems that some react to this post like they change there plugs once a month, just take the intake off it only takes like 15 minutes, and draining the coolant....coolant bypass? why have hot coolant go though your TB....

 

[White91Plus]

who says you have to disconnect the TB?