Going to tune my 95 E-150 ,5.0. Need advice on prefered spark plugs. Going to use all MotorCraft parts. Platinum or Copper ? Gap ? MotorCraft wire set, and Accell Cap & Rotor ? Gas Filter? Any comments would really help. How about the best way to change plugs. Anti seize or not? I looked through the threads and did not find exact answers, so excuse me if this post is redundant. Best Store ? Rock Auto ? Thanks.

 

I have no problems using anti-seize. With the frequency of changing copper plugs, it's usually not an issue to go without anti-seize.

I just replaced the plugs in our '93 5.8. I'm wiry enough to work around the doghouse without removing it from the cabin - just slide it back then shift it left or right as necessary. It looks easy to remove the seats but they're motorized and probably weigh more than me. Driver side is easy from inside, passenger side requires releasing the alternator from its bracket (3 bolts, 13mm socket, no need to release the wires but disconnect the battery!) to get to the forward two plugs. Aft plugs are done from inside. Have a mirror handy for the passenger side - there is room to work but no line of sight to thread some of the plugs. The biggest PITA for me was the plug wire clip atop the passenger side valve cover but covered by the intake plenum.

The Haynes book says a '95 5.0 calls for Motorcraft ASF-42C plugs gapped to 0.054". Note that the firing order of the 5.0 changed from 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 through '94 to 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 from '95. IIRC, #1 is the furthest aft post on the distributor cap and the rotor turns CCW as viewed from above.

I don't know about plugs but it seems the benefit of platinums is longer service life and not necessarily improved spark if you keep the stock coil.

Don't forget to check/clean the PCV valve and the crankcase filter thingy in the air filter housing.

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles

 

I do almost all of my tune up parts through Rockauto. Go with the fine wire Iridium Autolites. Autolite makes Motorcraft, and most all ford stuff is recommending iridium as replacements now. The price has come way down in them. RA lists them at $4.73 per plug.

With the iridiums I have noticed smoother power delivery when its hot and/or when towing on the 99 Mazda Ranger.

 

Well I am going with MotorCraft Platinums and wire set. Still looking at caps and rotor. Will need a PCV and Breather also. Air filter, missing anything? I would have thought a few more members would have "piped" in Thanks guys for your thoughts. Any other part numbers and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Agian. Kevin

 

O2 sensor will make a night and day difference, along with a can of Seafoam in the fuel tank.

 

I have had zero issues using a small dab of anti-seize on my plugs, I repeat a small dab.

You cannot go wrong with Motorcraft parts, try to find a cap that has copper terminals.

Use the Seafoam for sure but before the tuneup!

 

Had my 1994 E-250 5.8L & 1995 E-150 5.0L, done with PCV, AIR Filter, MotorCraft Platinum Plugs, Motorcraft Wire sets, ACCELL Cap & Rotor, MotorCraft Gas Filters, my E-150 needed a TPS Sensor also. E-250 has over 180,000 and E-150 has about 149,000. I have never had the 02 Sensors done on either one. Not sure how many there are on them, and how hard they are to do ? Thankfully I have good freinds since I am in a wheelchair. I have had the '94 about 9 years and the '95 about 7 years. Never had any check engine lights. Was wondering if 02 Sensors would make difference? I know they say you should do them about every 50K, but was wondering if it is really important ? ( I imagine gas mileage would improve?) They both run very well at the moment. I am the 3rd owner on both Vans. They get driven very low miles each year, 9K to 12K a year. 1994 E-250 (My Brothers) gets driven more than mine, is a wheelchair transport High Top van, and the 1995 is a Wheelchair Acessible driven Low Top Van with 6" dropped floor, they both have lifts. I need to do the Transmission Filters and Fluids next on both, and differential fluid on the E-250. A freind did the 1994 E-250 Trans Fluid when I first got it, never did the 1995 E-150. When he did the E-250 there was a plug on the tourque converter and emptied the whole thing and replaced all fluid 12-13 qts?. Is there a plug on my 1995 E-150 ? So here are my concerns, 02's or not? Plug on my 1995 E-150 converter or not? Tannys are EO4D. Thank You !! To all who replied, your input was greatly appeciated. More input is needed. Any part #'s or other parts or tips I should address will come in handy !! Thanks !! PS, I did not find crank case breathers on either van, did my freind miss them? If so where might they be?