Read my signature. 30+++++ PSI of boost 700+hp and I have never had a porblem. I think IMO it comes from incorrect torque. There is only 4 threads in the heads and can be a pain to start.

 

Where are you hearing this?

 

Real trucks don't have spark plugs, get a diesel F250!

 

Oh please, don't start this crap again. Really. Seriously. Just cut it out.

 

Thank You!!!

 

From the 4.6, 5.4 modular and V10 modular forums, as well as other places on the internet. Go to Google and type in "ford spit plug". Spit Spark Plugs Still Hobble Ford Trucks

 

Reasons for me NOT to buy a diesel:
High option cost
High maintenance cost
6.4 PSD gets not much better fuel mileage than gas
Diesel fuel is about $.75 to $1.00/gallon more
I only tow 5-6 times a year

 

Yes, and count the number of modular motors out there...

That "consumer affairs" website was created by a nest of lawyers. They have a vested interest in making it seem as bad as possible.

There were changes instituted by Ford to alleviate factory production issues... here's the dates:

December 1996 - 4.6L 4V alignment feature added
February 1997 - 4.6L 2V head alignment feature added
September 2000 - WEP (Windsor Engine Plant) 2V head alignment feature modified (4.6/5.4/6.8)
November 2002 - WEP introduced long thread heads on 2V (all)
May 2003 - REP (Romeo Engine Plant) introduced long-thread heads on 4V 4.6 and 5.4
November 2003 - REP introduced long-thread heads on 2V and modified alignment feature

The torque-down procedure was changed to kick out heads where the plugs didn't torque down at the correct rate, so that threads were not stripped at the factory, or other issues.

It comes down to a few different issues, one is the factory torque-down, another was cross-threading at the factory. The small number of threads didn't help, but certainly wasn't the cause of all the problems.

Maintenance is KEY. While in there, inspect the threads with an inspection mirror and fix them BEFORE there's a problem on the road. Corrosion between non-plated plugs and aluminum cause some issues too.

 

Hello
I just went through the big decision about buying my 2001 F250 V10 last monthand was very nervous about the Plug issue. I talked to my buddy at a dealership and he told me to change the plugs due to them being original with 80,000 miles on them. He told me how to do it right and really it went very well and was not hard at all. The local dealer wanted 600.00 to change them so that made me try it myself. I am so glad I bought the truck because it is really something I tow my car with it and it is just simply awesome. I would change the plugs and keep it.

One last thing is that if you do want a new truck in whatever make there are some great deals out there the dealers are not selling many and that is actually good for a buyer. I even got an unreal deal on my used F250..

 

Thanks everyone for all of the replies.

Fair96, what advice did your friend at the dealership give you to change your plugs?

 

Yeah, they wont spit out, but god himself couldnt get some of the plugs OUT of some of tehse engines! The carbon builds up around the base of the plug and glues them into the heads! They solved the spitting problem, by making a new design where they permenently seize into the heads now! One extreme to the next!

I'm glad my 03 2 Valve V10 should have the good threads on it and I dont have to worry about wither problem. Does anyone know exactly when in the 03 model year run they switched to the deeper threads?

 

Thanks for the laugh, I just spit coffee all the monitor when I read this.

 

So did the long thread 2V V10 heads go on in november 02, or november 03?


Any way to tell if my 03 excursion V10 was a windsor or romeo build?

 

V10's are ONLY Windsor.

 

Unlike years past when auto owners would take out their sparkplugs every Sunday to be checked, cleaned, and regapped.....sparkplugs are neglected for 60-100,000 miles due to the higher quality plugs and ingition systems. The plugs will tend to stick to the threads in the head and with a lower thread count you can very easily remove most or all of the threads when changing the plugs.
Spark plugs are still one of the cheapest parts you can buy for your engine and will pay for themselves in fuel savings and power gain. An old plug can rob you of 3-5 horsepower. So don't be afraid to change them a couple of times in the next 92,000 miles.
Follow ckreid's instructions and you should have no problems.
Also, stay with the inch-pound torque wrench.
A ft-lb wrench isn't accurate enough at the that low a torque and you will pull the threads.