A week or so ago I was working on a 3v with a slight stumble under acceleration. I tried to change a plug on what I was sure was weak cylinder and the plug broke. I used the lisle tool, changed it, and put the project on back burner until today.

In the interim I researched different methods (I did the Ford TSB exactly), and came across a few people who did it with a hot engine and a 3/8" drive impact gun. I've always had better luck with an impact gun on nasty seized bolts rather than pure torque in the past, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

I tried it today and all 7 plugs came out perfectly. Even taking my time, I was done in much less than 2 hours.

A few other tricks I used:
I used a 12mm socket for removal. Seeing as it's .7mm smaller than 1/2", it squeezed on perfectly to the plug and pulled it right up. I went back to a 1/2" socket for torquing so I wouldn't have the socket stuck on. I don't have a 1/2" spark plug socket, but this worked nicely anyway.
On cylinder #4, I had to use a 3" extension + universal + another 3" extension to allow me to get on it. I wrapped the universal in electrical tape to keep it fairly rigid, and guided the extension setup with my free hand to keep it straight.


Needless to say I was very happy with the result, especially after how the first plug went. And to top it off the truck runs beautifully now.


Just sharing my experience with this method, so don't come barking at me if you try it and it doesn't work out

Matt

 

Thanks, Matt. Changing the plugs in a 5.4 is definitely one of those "Were not in Kansas anymore" experiences, wouldn't you say?

 

I would agree, but my explanation of the situation is a bit more vulgar than yours.