What is involed in changing plugs and wires?

[layinthesmack31]

Hey guys this is my first post on here and i was wondering how u change the plugs and wires on these cars. Do u have to take the intake off? and if so how hard is it to do. i am really not familiar with these cars because i also own a Thunderbird SC and most of my knowledge is the that field haha. but i would really like to know the easiest way to do the plugs and wires. please get back with me soon. it is greatly appreciated. thanks

Matt

 

[Off Road SHO]

Matt,

Seeing as how you be in Michigan, your first tool to buy is a heated garage. wink

Since we don't know what type of SHO you have, here are some general thoughts on SHO plug and wire changing.

Take your time, reserve a whole day (preferably a day that the auto parts store is open).

Check the wires for the correct resistance before you start to see if you need plug wires also. Can't remember what the range is for satisfactory but each length will be different.

Look in all of the plug wells for oil or water before your plug changing day. The back three are hard to look down into without a mirror and flashlight. If you find ANY liquid, get it out BEFORE you remove the plugs, use paper towel strips to soak it up and then compressed air to get any residual gunk out of there.

I use a spark plug ratchet wrench with a 10" extension and a spark plug socket. Loosen the old spark plug two turns and then hit the well area again with compressed air to blow out any crusties that were clinging on to the plug.

Remove the plug all the way and keep track of which cylinder it came out of for future analysis. Check the factory gap settings on the new Motorcraft AGS 32pp plugs and insert them with the new crush washer that comes with the plug, beveled side up.

Screw into the hole by hand wrench and torque to 12-17 pound*feet (I think).

Check ohms of resistance on each plug wire to see if they need replacing. If one is high, replace them all as the other are ready to fail.

Plug wires and plugs can be replaced without re-moving the intake, but it would be easier to loosen and move or remove some of the things that are in the general area you'll be wrenching in. Some of these things are: the intake manifold runner control and EGR Differential pressure sensor (if you have one) and the drivers side front, and rear intake support brackets.

Good luck, it's not difficult, just complicated, break it down to a lot of simple tasks and you'll do just fine.

Tom

All your polished part are belong to me!

<small>[ February 23, 2004, 07:03 PM: Message edited by: Off Road SHO ]</small>

 

[masho95]

If you have the courage to remove the intake manifold I would HIGHLY suggest it. With all the coolant drained, I literally removed one in about 15 minutes. There isn't too much to do to remove it and it makes changing the rear plugs and wires so much easier. It will also give you a change to take a look at how much junk has accumulated in the runners and a chance to clean it out!

 

[yamahaSHO]

Off Road SHO:

All your polished part are belong to me!

laugh_ti laugh_ti

 

[Dr. Tweak]

There are instructions on my website for removing the intake in the upper 60k section, the pics will be replaced this Thursday/Friday as they are horribly out of focus. frown

 

[autobahnsho]

As long as you have a decent socket set and some endwrenches, it's not that hard to pull the intake. (I use 10-12mm wrenches and 8,10,12,13, and 15mm sockets most.)

Pulling the intake sure makes it easier to get those back plugs/wires!

Make sure you don't drop stuff into the cylinders via open intake or plug holes!!

------------------------------------------------
JDLangevin- Nice work on your site! I looked at the upper 60k. It's very thorough. I've taken it all apart before but you gave me some ideas on how to do it easier "next time"...

I think if you highlighted key points on your pictures (with an arrow or circle, whatever) it would be even more helpful.
ie Your description says, "loosen this bolt" but the picture has a lot of different bolts in it.

Good job though!

edit: On your lower 60k you DO have helpful circles, and I noticed you plan on getting new pics on top...

 

[SHO--ripper]

I'm pretty sure the passenger side rear intake bracket has a 19mm nut holding it on. I'm not positive it's 19mm but it's pretty big. It's a good idea to pull the intake off. For plug wires either get the ACdelco wires from MidwestSHO.com or the Motorcraft's from FordPartsNetwork.com. burnout

 

[shobote]

Since you want the quickest/easiest way to replace plugs and wires, leave the intake on; again, make sure there is no oil in the plug wells (and if so, clean it out).
The front plugs/wires are replaced easily; the rear 3 are a little tougher to get to; remove them with extension & universal-joint; Sounds Mickey Mouse, but when I installed the new ones, used the cardboard tube from a coat hanger from the dry cleaners; the plugs fit perfectly in the inside diameter of the tube and you can start it threading by hand before applying the socket wrench. Took me about 30 minutes total for plugs and wires.

 

[91 Plus]

Where at in Michigan are you?I can lend a hand if needed!

 

[layinthesmack31]

well i am in the grand rapids area in michigan. what about u? let me know. help would be awesome. thanks

Matt

 

[91 Plus]

pm sent

 

[revhardSHO]

hey yamahaSHO that pic is awsome! ...so true...

rofl rofl rofl