I also posted on the Expy side, but the F150 guys are usually more active.

I don't spend a lot of time on the site - usually on SVTPerformance, but I do lurk, so I wanted to share this and maybe help others. I am a planner and this site and others helped me get the right tools together to do this.

Fast foward to the end 8/8 came out - all intact without issue. Here is what I did, YMMV.

Stone cold motor - it sat for 36 hours before attempting. I had a brand new Lisle tool at the ready.

Did the passenger side first, since it looked to be the harder of the two sides to reach the back two plugs.

I pulled all the coil packs and used PB Blaster in each hole(I know every one here says Kroil, but PB Blaster has not failed me yet). To get the oil in the holes without making a mess, I used a 2 foot section of fuel line to direct the oil into each plug hole.

Here is where it got interesting. I was going to back each plug out an 1/8-1/4 turn to let the oil do its job. I used a 24" torque wrench (on purpose) to break the first one open and I just kept wrenching - and the plug kept coming. I used the torque wrench, as my mind kept saying don't puss it with just a socket wrench. I used a magnetized extender to get the plugs the rest of the way out of the hole. I replaced the plugs with 1pc double platinum Champions (Rock Auto). I found an air socket wrench helpful in getting the back two out of the passenger side after the initial break free.

The PB Blaster only sat in the holes for 10-15 minutes and the plugs kept coming. I blew compressed air into each cylinder to get excesss PB Blaster out of the combustion chamber. The oil makes the carbon and varnish on teh plugs turn into a gooey mess, but it frees them. I will also say that at startup, the PB Blaster will mosquito fog your neighborhood for about 20-30 seconds. For the record, I used no Techron or Seafoam, etc. in an attempt to decarbonize in advance.

She runs like a champ - lets see if I like these Champion plugs (interwebz give them mixed reviews, but I put 150 mile on it since changing and no concerns so far)

Anybody want to buy an unused Lisle tool cheap?

Here are the pics:
Passenger side plugs




New plugs


Driver's side w/ torque wrench




PB Blaster in hole


Daily driver and Corvette-owner "embarasser" (wife's car is the Expy)


Driver's side plugs




Thanks to everyone on this forum for their ideas and contributions.

 

I'm glad you got all 8 out, I like the Cobra btw. I have a 08 GT that I'm dreading this on. I hope I get all of mine out to.

 

Great post. I'm also a PB Blaster fan. I think the idea of changing them long before the recommended miles is the answer, at least for these pre '08 5.4's.

 

Just as a warning I'm using pb blaster on a 2006 5.4 with 62k on it and its not helping. I had to use the tool.

 

Congrats on getting the plugs all out. I plan on doing mine when I can let the truck sit and drive one of my other toys.

That's a nice terminator! Not a fan of the wheels, the factory five spokes look gourgeous on that bodystyle. What kind of work is done to it for you to considor it a Vette "embarasser"? Stock for stock the Vette is no slouch.

 

@joe....

Intake, pulley, exhaust, suspension....14lbs of boost nets 470rwhp / 489rwtq...close to 550 ish flywheel hp. Neighbor has a stock C6 z06....it's a drivers race from a roll...and I didn't spend 80k.

That said, I'd take a Vette in a heartbeat, but I'd need some mod money

 

Had my mechanic change mine out a week ago. He followed the TSB to the letter, all 8 came out in tact - no issues. I also had them changed out at 40K, better early than late IMO and it payed off for me.

 

Very nice! Those cars are beasts with just a little wrenching!

 

I "think" that the real key is the torque needed to break them loose cleanly. Another poster once posted his mechanic pulls them with an impact wrench and doesn't break them. I wasn't that ballsy, but went with a a big enough torque wrench that the tool did the work.

It's a disease, I swear. My father-in-law and I are starting a FFR '33 Roadster that will have a new 5.0 Coyote crate motor. That thing will be crazy, stupid fast when done.

Cobra's motor: