Just did a sparkplug change
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Just did a sparkplug change
I know there are a few threads on this out there but I just changed my plugs on my 4.6L f-150 88K on the truck. Went pretty smooth just took a while. Noticed the old ones are only threaded half way up the shank and the new plugs have about twice as many threads. I checked several sources and the new ones I bought at the ford garage were correct. So I installed them. Whats the difference in threads about? Also now my Dad (Mr. Dodge) is giving me a hard time about I shouldn't have changed them because he knows some guy he works with who has a 5.4 that just launched a plug. Please! Not changing the plugs is not an option especially with gas prices they way they are. I want my vehicle running in top notch condition
So what am I exactly up against here? Now that i put in new motorcraft platinum plugs am I gonna have issues? Should i go get a 3/8 inch torque wrench and check over them? Should I check them every 6k miles? To be honest I am worried with all this reading on here. I love this truck and don't want to start having issue even though I know issues are inevitable no matter what you drive....
So what am I exactly up against here? Now that i put in new motorcraft platinum plugs am I gonna have issues? Should i go get a 3/8 inch torque wrench and check over them? Should I check them every 6k miles? To be honest I am worried with all this reading on here. I love this truck and don't want to start having issue even though I know issues are inevitable no matter what you drive....
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
i would deffinately check them every other oil change thats just common sense for any vehicle not just fords. some people say troque them to 15 - 17 ft lbs and some say 28 ft lbs. its never a good idea to over torque your plugs because it put alot of extra stress on the threads of the aluminum heads.if it were me i would just do about 20 ft lbs and re check every other oil change to ensure they have not come loose.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
yea thats the way i use to do all my older import cars but since moving to american made vehicles i always use a torque wrech. you are correct as well Justb in the sense that ford has updated the new plugs to have more threads on them because of the blowout problem with the heads.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
most of the blow out problems are due to new plugs being installed to 40-50 ft pounds and pulling teh threads. If you install correctly and torque correctly (i do it by hand) you will not have a problem. YOu dont need to recheck every year unless it makes you feel better.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
Likes: 3
From: SE Wyoming
Ford doubled the head threads in '03, subsequently they need a plug with double the threads. Since the 8 thread plug works just fine on a 4 plug head they superseded the older 4 thread plugs and make them all with 8 threads now.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
thanks for the input guys. Wish my truck had the extra threads in the head 
I'm going back over them with a torque wrench in the next day or so to make sure I got them right. I'm gonna losen each one and retighten with the torque wrench. I did already find one that I made overly tight so its prob a good thing i'm going back over them. I don't need the truck everyday so no rush...
I'm going back over them with a torque wrench in the next day or so to make sure I got them right. I'm gonna losen each one and retighten with the torque wrench. I did already find one that I made overly tight so its prob a good thing i'm going back over them. I don't need the truck everyday so no rush...
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dirtriderdan
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
5
Feb 9, 2011 11:14 AM
