ignition upgrade
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From: Cornerbrook Newfoundland
ignition upgrade
Truck crazy man back again in need of advice. I have a 1995 ford f150 with a 4.9 inline 6 engine. i'm in the process of repairing the head and head gaskets. seeing i got so much positive feed back thus far, i can't think of a better place to seek answers. after i repair this engine, i'm thinking of upgrading the ignition system.well as much as i can anyway. anyone who as done this to a 4.9, or anyone in general who has better advice and knolege than i do, please help. should i swap out the original coil for something better? if so what do you suggest? also the distributor, is there a aftermarket upgrade for this? i'm not sure if covered all the bases, but i'm sure that the blanks will be filled in. so any one with any advice and where to look to find these products, please send your knowlege my way. thanks T.C.M.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Kentucky
Take a few minutes to read about the exact same question asked in this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-ignition.html
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Senior User
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From: Cornerbrook Newfoundland
Take a few minutes to read about the exact same question asked in this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-ignition.html
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,785
Likes: 1,751
From: Kentucky
not much info there sorry. mostly talked about spark plugs and i already run motormaster in mine. but i was looking for some ideas on if there was a better ignition coil for my 4.9 as well as any distrubitor upgrades. i'm having some trouble with the spark plugs, it may not be the plugs but they are turning a red or rusty color. i've only had these plugs in for only about 30 000kms and if memory serves me right, they can last up to 100 000kms. so i'm just trying to get some info on a better ingnition system. i use this truck as a work truck/ every day user. i need it to be working at peek performance. there are quite a few steep hills and the last thing i need is a sudden lack of power. not a good feeling when you have a full load on and climbing a hill. i'ts happened once before, but i thought it was just a dirty fuel filter. it hasn't happened since but the thought of it is still there.
Did you click on the link in Post#14? That thread describes the components that are used for a "sixlitre" tuneup, that includes recommendations on a hotter coil too.
I apologize if you felt like I sent you to a dead end. Perhaps all the banter about spark plugs clouded the real information contained in the first few replies.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 398
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver Island BC
not much info there sorry. mostly talked about spark plugs and i already run motormaster in mine. but i was looking for some ideas on if there was a better ignition coil for my 4.9 as well as any distrubitor upgrades. i'm having some trouble with the spark plugs, it may not be the plugs but they are turning a red or rusty color. i've only had these plugs in for only about 30 000kms and if memory serves me right, they can last up to 100 000kms. so i'm just trying to get some info on a better ingnition system. i use this truck as a work truck/ every day user. i need it to be working at peek performance. there are quite a few steep hills and the last thing i need is a sudden lack of power. not a good feeling when you have a full load on and climbing a hill. i'ts happened once before, but i thought it was just a dirty fuel filter. it hasn't happened since but the thought of it is still there.
And no, platinum plugs say they are good for 100,000, and that may be, but getting them out is a whole other story. Platinum plugs are a waste of $$$
If you are running stock copper plugs and have 30k on 'em swap them out if you're really that worried. Stick a hotter coil in and gap the new ones a hair wider... Quality cap cap, rotor, and a good set of wires, and bobs your uncle...
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Senior User
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From: Cornerbrook Newfoundland
yes sorry, it is motorcraft. i'm not all that familiar with the ugnition system on the 4.9 inline 6 engine. before i lost the head gasket, i noticed that my truck seemed to be burning a little rich. after i discovered the blown head gasket, i noticed the discoloration on the plugs. color which i've never seen before. so i was looking for some advice on what this could mean and if there were any adjustments i could make to correct this. as i said before the plugs are a red to rusty color near the electrode. is this a sign the engine is burning to rich, hot or other wise? Or is this due to the fact i have a blown head gasket? i'm not sure myself, that's why i'm turning to you guys for help. thanks T.C.M.
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From: Cornerbrook Newfoundland
rla2005 please forgive me, i did not see that last post. this sounds like a good idea and it's not all that difficult to do. but i have to ask you, will this work the same with my 4.9 inline 6? or is there a differant method for a 4.9? angain please accept my apoligies. everyone here has been a great help to me including you, so i don't want to affend anyone. if u have an answer for the question i just asked, it will be most welcome. thanks T.C.M.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 398
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver Island BC
In the back of Haynes manuals you will find this;
[IMG]
[/IMG]
I'd imagine your blown head gasket has a LOT to do with it... I'd be more worried about that than blaming spark plugs
[IMG]
[/IMG]I'd imagine your blown head gasket has a LOT to do with it... I'd be more worried about that than blaming spark plugs
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Kentucky
rla2005 please forgive me, i did not see that last post. this sounds like a good idea and it's not all that difficult to do. but i have to ask you, will this work the same with my 4.9 inline 6? or is there a differant method for a 4.9? angain please accept my apoligies. everyone here has been a great help to me including you, so i don't want to affend anyone. if u have an answer for the question i just asked, it will be most welcome. thanks T.C.M.
Sorry I cannot help you with the plug discoloration question.
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Senior User
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From: Cornerbrook Newfoundland
The "sixlitre tuneup" concept works for V8s as well as your 4.9L six. A little wider plug gap, good quality rotor/cap/wires and a hotter coil with a timing bump will yield a little more power and MPGs. Nothing drastic, but many folks have reported good results with it.
Sorry I cannot help you with the plug discoloration question.
Sorry I cannot help you with the plug discoloration question.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Cornerbrook Newfoundland
i'm gonna have you guys drove crazy, if not all ready done. i was going through the Jegs parts web site and i came across something i haven't heard of before. maybe someone here can explain what this is and what it's used for. the thing i'm talking about is what's called a '' spark plug non fouler '' can anyone explain what this is used for? by the looks of it, it screws into the cylinder head and then the spark plug screws into that, now i'm not sure if this is accurate, but why would something like this be used for. anyway i'll leave it in your capibale hands. please inforn me on what this is, thanks,T.C.M.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
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From: South Dakota
i'm gonna have you guys drove crazy, if not all ready done. i was going through the Jegs parts web site and i came across something i haven't heard of before. maybe someone here can explain what this is and what it's used for. the thing i'm talking about is what's called a '' spark plug non fouler '' can anyone explain what this is used for? by the looks of it, it screws into the cylinder head and then the spark plug screws into that, now i'm not sure if this is accurate, but why would something like this be used for. anyway i'll leave it in your capibale hands. please inforn me on what this is, thanks,T.C.M.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Peterstown
colored plugs
not much info there sorry. mostly talked about spark plugs and i already run motormaster in mine. but i was looking for some ideas on if there was a better ignition coil for my 4.9 as well as any distrubitor upgrades. i'm having some trouble with the spark plugs, it may not be the plugs but they are turning a red or rusty color. i've only had these plugs in for only about 30 000kms and if memory serves me right, they can last up to 100 000kms. so i'm just trying to get some info on a better ingnition system. i use this truck as a work truck/ every day user. i need it to be working at peek performance. there are quite a few steep hills and the last thing i need is a sudden lack of power. not a good feeling when you have a full load on and climbing a hill. i'ts happened once before, but i thought it was just a dirty fuel filter. it hasn't happened since but the thought of it is still there.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Peterstown
non-foulers
i'm gonna have you guys drove crazy, if not all ready done. i was going through the Jegs parts web site and i came across something i haven't heard of before. maybe someone here can explain what this is and what it's used for. the thing i'm talking about is what's called a '' spark plug non fouler '' can anyone explain what this is used for? by the looks of it, it screws into the cylinder head and then the spark plug screws into that, now i'm not sure if this is accurate, but why would something like this be used for. anyway i'll leave it in your capibale hands. please inforn me on what this is, thanks,T.C.M.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Cornerbrook Newfoundland
I seen, somewhere, that you do a lot of dirt road driving. Wet or dry, mostly? Do you do a lot of short distance driving, and not let the engine warm up? Anything that can cause excessive condensation? Excessive condensation, and surface rust on the cylinder heads, along with the heating up, and cooling down of the plugs, can cause the ceramic to "draw" in the color from the rust. Paint your heads with a good engine enamel, when you do your head gasket job, and that should take care of your colored spark plugs.