Tune up Question???

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89SHOduff

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hey, what is the book on how much time it takes to do a tune up. I know you have to take the intake off to get at the back 3 plugs. It seems like alot of labor. I'm having my heater core put in today and I want to see what my mechanic says for the time it will take. he said he hasn't done a tune up on An SHO in awhile. mine was probably the last one he did about 3 yrs ago. Want to make sure he doesn't jipp me. any input will be greatful before I pick it up @ 5:00pm eastern time. Thanks guys..... thumbs_u
 

Mike92Silver

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u wont need to take the intake off to get to the back plugs, u just need extensions and u can take off the vacum cannister and crap back there, just unhook it for alittle more room, and just use extensions and youll be fine.
 

sdpatt

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There really isn't a "tune-up" on a distributorless ignition, sequential fuel injected car engine such as the SHO's. You are referring to replacing the spark plugs which is only one component of the 60K preventative maintenance service. You should look in the owners manual or use the Forum's SEARCH feature to get the list of items that should be serviced or replaced, depending on the mileage and condition of your car.

You can replace the rear bank spark plugs by removing the vacuum hose on the passenger side and the 12mm bolt that secures the vacuum accumulator assembly in the center of the rear intake plenum. You will then need 9" of extensions on your socket wrench and 5/8" spark plug socket. Use ONLY the Motorcraft AGSP32PP plugs gapped to .042"-.046" (I recommmend .042" since the gap never gets smaller), 17 lb-ft of torque to tighten them, anti-seize on the plug's threads and dielectric grease inside the plug boots. Be gentle with the wires as you can damage the conductor or insulator if you bend them too tightly.

If you find oil in the plug wells, you must clean it and any other loose debris out before you even think of removing the plugs. You don't want any of that stuff to fall into the cylinders and score your cylinder walls.
 

SHOnuff93

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ok scott, what is your obsession with using only motorcraft plugs? i know you swear by them, do you feel they are the only ones that perform well enough for the sho, or is it a plug well seal issue? just curious, thanks
 

sdpatt

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It's not an obsession. It's an educated observation. The Motorcraft AGSP32PP plugs are a proprietary (private) design that ensures that it is the only plug that will fit and function properly in the SHO engine. Ford didn't make the plugs, Nippondenso did, for their buddies at Yamaha. The SHO's ignition system design requires that the plugs have platinum on both electrodes to enable them to last the designed 60,000 miles between replacements.

Other brand plugs are not designed specifically for the SHO like the AGSP32PP and either have none or only one platinum electrode. Most are too tall to allow the plug wire boot to seal properly against the valve cover. That creates other problems as it can allow moisture and grit into the plug wells. The moisture can cause misfires and the grit can wear the cylinder walls if allowed into the cylinders during a plug change. Read an article I wrote for SHOtimes many years ago here.

An aversion to Motorcraft labeled products in this case is neither well founded nor conducive to the life and performance of your SHO's engine. Twenty-four dollars (or less) for 60,000 miles of spark plug service is not a justifiable reason to avoid the proper plug for your prized engine.
 

smcallis

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I dont know if I've ever heard of anyone successfully (over the long haul) using non OEM plugs. Other plugs always seem to foul, crap out early, cause ignition problems when it's wet out, etc.
 

89SHOduff

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I hear that.

I'm gonna try to do this myself actually. eek! I've never tried to do work on my car besides like oil changes and tire rotations. I want to know how to work on it myself so I don't have to always bring it to my mechanic. This seems pretty easy though and I'm pretty mechanicly inclined so why not give it a shot. just have to wait a week or two to save up $$$$$. thanks Scott
 

TAM

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Not slamming anybody, but why would we spend a gazillion dollars and hours on getting our shos to haul a** and then put in cheap plugs!
 

SHOnuff93

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i am not saying to put in cheap plugs, but i put bosch platinums in a friends 92, they dont seem to be causing any problems since he put down 211 hp, with a pro-m maf, y-pipe, udp's amd cat back
 

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