My newly acquired '92 F150 is in decent shape for its age, but I am beginning to realize that the PO didn't do a whole lot of routine or PM maintenance on it. He did oil and oil filter changes, but that seems to be about it. So, I am starting to take care of the things that have been neglected over time.

So here's the question... What do you recommend I do? I went ahead and changed out the oil and filter again for good measure so that I know when it was done and what oil. I also dropped a new air filter into it and had the cooling system flushed and refilled. What next? The truck has 223k miles on it and I don't know when the last time (if ever) it has had a tune up. I'm thinking probably spark plugs and wires, and maybe a distributor cap? Anything else?

Another question to go along with the first one... What brand(s) should I be shopping? Is it necessary to go back to Ford for OEM parts? Amazon sells a lot, as do other online retailers and of course the local auto parts stores. Where do y'all find the best prices for the best parts?

Thank you in advance for taking the time to help out a newby! I've done basic work on my own vehicles before, but I've never had one as old/high mileage as this one. I really want to take care of it so that it'll last as long as possible! And I want to do most of the work myself so that it is as affordable as possible.

 

I've had good experiences with amazon.

I'm also a huge fan of the taylor cable thundervolt 8.2 wires, and the MSD retention caps.

Ya should consider adding to the list injectors, cleaning, reman, something. At that mileage very unlikely they've been touched and quite likely they aren't spraying well.

 

Thanks for the tip! Do you think the Taylor and MSD parts are better quality or value than Motorcraft parts? Both are available from Amazon.

 

ABSOLUTELY

Wires, I've installed many sets of the Taylor wires, and never replaced a failed set. Their performance is amazing, we are talking 40 ohms vs. 600-1000 ohms per foot. I've never had an EMI issue with them either. MSD makes a similar wire but I find the quality to be higher on the Taylors.

Cap, comparing the cost of a brass motorcraft cap and the MSD the price isn't far apart. But with the MSD you get better materials, better internal shape, and the retention cap, which once you use you'll never want any other type of cap again.


A few extra tips,

Taylor sells many of there wires as a you assemble kit. In this kit you put on the distributor end. I always do this, it's worth it to always get the wire the exact right length. Pre-assembled kits always have to error on the side of too long. Length is also a performance issue, shorter is better.

Looms are important, keeping the wires organized secure and from contacting other things. Looms + custom length + retention cap makes for a setup where they all come on and off as one perfect unit that you will never again have to take apart.

I find these work great, they may not look as fancy as some but work great as they can be used in any way any where to retain the wire against another in exactly the right way.

 

We use the high dollar Taylor wires on my kid's dirt modified. And a good quality (not StreetFire) MSD dizzy.

I really don't think there's much of an advantage to using a $140.00 wire kit on a street vehicle. There are plenty out there that work fine for a daily driver. I've used Motorcraft, Eichlin and Standard Motor parts for years without any complaints. Even the low buck Wells stuff will do in most applications.

Only you can determine what you are comfortable paying...

 

$140 bucks, where are you seeing such a high price? Cut that in half for the taylors.

This whole X isn't worth it for a daily driver thing always bugs me. What is more important then your daily driver, what do you rely on more, put more miles on, abuse more, etc. A race car is a toy, it fails ohhh well you tow it home behind your daily truck. Your daily truck fails and you never get to the track, work, store, job, etc.

Is "will do" really good enough for what is likely the most important and most costly tool in your life?

 

I've had Taylor and no complaints. But for $20 less, you can get OEM Ford Racing 8 or 9mm spark plug wires and they come the correct length and also #'ed.

I can't see spending any money on MSD! Cheap quality and high failure rate when a stock Motorcraft coil can do the same, for less and many more years.

 

The only thing "racing" about ford racing wires is the name and the people that fall for it.

Funny I searched ford racing wires and hit the first summit example and the comments are perfect, not a word about "racing" or performance, but a couple other themes;

"This is my 4th set of this wires so far. I have these for past 10 years on two cars and never had any problem with them. These are also great to look at when you open the hood" Except he keeps having to replace them.

"Looks great, was pretty easy to install. Can't go wrong with Ford Racing."

Ya know what I can't find(yet) what Ford says the Ohms per foot is, lot's of people having issues with them though and trying to find out.

So let's see $50 or so for "ford racing" wires of unknown but seemingly poor quality and performance that you get to diagnose and replace soon. But wow they look good and 9mm is better then 8.2 right? Or $65 or so for Taylors of known fantastic quality performance that might outlast the engine and never be replaced.

Edit,
Found this "I have a set of Ford Motorsports wires that are new but reading very high on the ohm meter. None are worse than any of the others, but they are all pretty wild (2300 ohm range)." OMG 2300 ohms, even for a crazy long 4' wire that's 575 Ohms per foot, but more likely a 2' wire, 1150 Ohms per foot, that's insane.

Edit 2, ohh yeah and if you want to fall for the "bigger is better" thing, Taylor has the Thundervolt50, they are 10.4mm AND 40 ohms per foot. They must be the best cause the outer sleeve is a larger diameter.

 

I have 15k miles on my Ford Racing wires with no issues....

 

Sorry… we use Moroso's on the car and a set of Taylor's are on our spare dizzy.

Moroso 72407 Moroso Blue Max Spiral Core Sleeved Spark Plug Wires - Free Shipping on All Orders @ JEGS

 

OMG $150 for some of the worse wires on the market, 800 Ohms per foot, wow.

 

Thank you for the opinions and suggestions here! I will take it all into consideration as I begin working through bring my old girl up to snuff.

I'm a bit nervous about the thought of working on the injectors. I think it's definitely a good idea, and one I hadn't thought of before it was suggested here, but after reading the thread on cleaning them I'm not sure if that's something I should try to tackle or not. How hard are they to replace if I just decided to go with new or reman?

 

I've had good luck with my ford racing wires. My only complaint is they are a bit too long and I have them neatly loomed and separated.

Injectors are easy to replace. You will need to get new o-rings and install them with a thin coat of clean engine oil. Make sure everything is nice and clean and they shouldn't leak.

Tanner

 

I'll add replacing the fuel filter to the list.

 

First off your paying for the durability… these things are tough. High temp silicone with silicone sleeves over the wires. They can lay on a header all night and not burn thru.

Second... most guys can get five racing seasons or more out of 'em. The guy who owned my kids modified had ten year old Moroso wires on it and installed the same pair on his new car last season. Certainly makes the price awful cheap.

It's almost impossible for them to crossfire which is real peace of mind when you are running 50,000 volts @ 7,000 RPM's for 25 laps or more. You can get by with much cheaper stuff on your F-series…

There's more to spark plug wires than ohms per foot.