I have heard alot of dicussion about the 5.4 spark plug problem. First...Is it the plug? Second...Is it the engine? When I do change them???...Just exactly where do i put the antisieze??? My understanding is that I should put that on the threads??? Is that correct?

 

Yes you would be correct, don't forget to torque them to 16 ft pounds.

 

Ford tsb-------- NO ANTISIEZE ON PLUGS,ONLY ON THE ELECTRODE SHIELD.
Torque spec is for "dry" threads only.

 

Use anti seize,and DO NOT torque the plugs-that'll be the failure of the threads.
JL

 

So, just finger/hand tight? Just under 5ft lbs?

 

Here, before someone gets hurt or screwed completely..



NOTE
ONCE THE SPARK PLUGS HAVE ALL BEEN
REMOVED, NEW PLUGS SHOULD BE
INSTALLED USING A FILM COATING OF
MOTORCRAFT HIGH TEMPERATURE NICKEL
ANTI-SEIZE LUBRICANT (XL-2) ON THE GROUND
ELECTRODE SHIELD OF THE NEW SPARK PLUG
(FIGURE 7). DO NOT COAT THE ELECTRODE
STRAP OR THE PLUG WILL MISFIRE. THE NEW CONDITION PLUGS SHOULD BE INSTALLED WITH
NO LUBRICANT ON THE THREADS AND TORQUED
TO SPECIFICATION, 25 LB-FT (34 N•m).

 

That's all fine and dandy if you've got a 3V modular-those directions have nothing to do with a 2V engine. The 3V engines don't have this "problem" with spark plug threads anyway.
JL

 

There's a certain "feel" that you have to learn for it. Just using a torque wrench screws most guys because they just dial it to the spec,and grab the end of their torque wrench,and twist 'til it clicks. There's very little resolution on a torque wrench at low torque setting,and clicker style wrenches will damage the threads nearly every time when you try to use them at a torque spec that low.
JL

 

No they just have problems with plugs breaking off in the cylinder heads.. just as large a problem and potentially much more widespread.

 

What if your torque wrench is digital and is accurate to 2% down to 5 foot pounds?

Also, are the 2v plugs suposed to look like that?

 

No they dont look like that. When I read the OP comment about hearing about the plug problem on the 5.4 I ASSumed he meant the new 3V 5.4. My appologies. I hadnt considered that all these years later someone just heard about the blown plug issue. I stand corrected.

However there is a large issue looming on the 3V plug problem that those whom it applies should know about. There is a TSB of several pages to show you how to replace the plugs without destroying your engine.

 

I've accumulated around 450K miles on my modular powered vehicles over the last 10 years,and I've done all of the maintenance myself. I've never had an issue with spark plugs,threads,or plug blowouts. I've also taken care of/maintained about a dozen other modular powered trucks/cars without any problems with plugs,threads,etc. Every time I've seen or heard of somebody using a torque wrench on their plugs-I've heard them complaiing not long after about the engine puking a plug or two. EVERY TIME.
JL

 

I always do them by feel myself. I have done a few Modular engines and haven't blown a plug yet. I will probably do my 01 5.4L this weekend. We'll see how that goes!!

 

So in terms of pre 3V engines, anti seize on the plug threads or not? Plus I'm going to change the plugs in my 00 250 SD with a 5.4 and am wondering if there are any tricks to getting at #4 and #8 plugs... Had a 1984 6.9 deisel before this so never had this issue.....

 

Yes, use a little anti-sieze on the threads.