I'd like to know what you guys do in advance to prevent spark plug ejection in a 5.4. I worry about being 200-400 miles away towing my race car trailer and ejecting a plug. Do you check torque occasionally or pull them and look sometimes. Or do you just use Bravado and go another 100K and fix it when it happens. I've never helicoiled one, and don't want to be at the mercy of a { on the road} mechanic if it happens. Whatcha think? 01 superduty 5.4 auto, 4x4, 151K. supposedly changed plugs around 100K, and fixed 1 ejected around 120K. I just bought truck.

 

Check these guys out. Blownoutsparkplug.com Ford Spark Plug Thread Repair

 

Wow, that's expensive! I was thinking preventative maintenance though. What about doing something in advance, without a helicoil, like just check tightness or?

 

Yes they are expensive if you arent in CA. But if you email them and ask what torque they install at it will give you a better idea of what you should install your at. Last i checked they have never had one back out after they installed a plug be it insert or just a preventative swap of plugs.

 

Some guys recheck torque every 10K-20K miles. Mine made an obvious ticking noise before it launched both times, I tightened after the first occurrence but it still spit and I knew it was going to so I took it easy, no WOT and babied it for a few months until it spit again. If I was going to be that far away a lot I'd probably look into either inserting all the plug holes or getting new 8 thread heads. If you hadn't had any launch I wouldn't be as worried but you don't know how many of them were overtightened since one went. I'd also say at 51K miles you are about due for another set.

 

You can get 8 thread heads for a 2v 5.4? If so first I,ve heard of it.

 

Next question...Which spark plugs are the best in a 5.4?

 

Motorcraft only.

 

+1 on this ^^. Autolite is an acceptable alternative but just about the ONLY one! Too many bad experiences with other brands however being fair Krewart current has a thread about installing and driving with Bosch platinum plugs, updating occasionally with interim reports.

In the meantime save yourself some aggravation and go with something proven to be reliable and works well.

 

I replaced the plugs today preventively with Motorcraft Platinums. I blew out the plug hole with compressed air, used anti seize, and dielectric grease on the boot ends and on the boot where it goes into the head for a water seal. Took probably 4 hours or so, trying to do everything right. Torqued them to 15# even though another source said 28# and no anti seize. Hopefully I can avoid any ejection with preventitive maintenance. By the way, what a #@&&$#!!! #4 is!!! Mirrors, flashlights, move lots of stuff and feel for it.

 

I have used this kit many times at the shop and have not had any problems.

 

All us first timers at this are surprised----its a chore that can't be fully appreciated until someone has actually done it. Sounds like you did it the correct way too----kudos for that!

The Cal-Van kit is often recommended here on FTE---seems to be the best so far. That price is quite fair compared with other sites I've visited and checked for the whole kit. The one in the link is the over sized insert kit---would that be needed for a first time?

 

I would use the oversize inserts. I have seen too many heli-coil type inserts come out when the spark plug is removed. The Cal-van inserts are jb welded into the head and do NOT come back out. Mac Tools and Cornwell sells the same kit with their name on it for $400 on the tool trucks.

 

Used dorman 500 miles ago will keep updated
and reused cop [do you really want to pay for another one

 

I just found my plug that I blew out last year! I went in there to check to see if the one I put in place of it last year was still tight as it had started ticking again like last time.