Spark plugs...what a PITA!

[fiveofanatic]

Did the plugs today. The front four took about ten minutes, the back four took about two hours. I was able to remove the surge tank & runners as a whole unit, but to get everything to line back up I had to remove the runners from the tank & install it in three separate sections.

The plugs looked ok, not too bad for 95,000 miles. I went with the stock Motorcraft replacements. The engine does feel crisper now, which is what I usually notice after a plug swap.

Only ended up with one bolt left over, which is a sign that things went well. There are two braces on the backside of the surge tank, & I couldn't get one of them to line up for the life of me. I kept the bolt in case it becomes a problem, but I do not expect it to be an issue.

I do not know if I'll have this car for another 95,000 miles, but if I do a plug change again, it should take a good deal less time since I know my way around the job now.

All in all, it wasn't overly difficult, just time consuming. That upper intake looks intimidating, but you just have to dive in & start unbolting. It takes next to nothing to do plugs in my '91 LX & my '97 Cobra, & I'll tell ya, I like it that way! wink

 

[97V8SHO]

Same thing happend with me. I've driven about 2,700miles sence I've done it and no problems yet so I wouldn't worry about it. Only thing that I did different was that I went to Denso Iridium spark plugs. They give the same performance as NGK's but cheaper because auto zone was stupid and sold me 2 boxes of them for $30 when they're suposed to be around $120 for 2 boxes.

 

[SHOZ123]

Did you clean out the intake, clean off the IRM (lower intake), rotate the coils front to back, reinsulate the rear coil wire loom and weld the cams?

 

[fiveofanatic]

Yes, yes, no, no, & no. wink