Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

$750+ Plug Change.......maybe!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 1, 2017 | 09:32 PM
  #1  
Augie0906's Avatar
Augie0906
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
$750+ Plug Change.......maybe!!

SORRY FOR THE LONG POST.....

I purchased a 1998 F250 light duty a bit over a year ago for fire abatement on our cabin in the mountains.
Truck was pretty dirty, dust EVERYWHERE!!!
But with some clean-up, it was a good work truck.
About a month ago it started sputtering.
I figured it was time for at least some new spark plugs.
Bought the plugs and changed to front 2 plugs from each side.
Figured I was just 'too old' to fight with doing the back 2 from each side.
Truck sat for a couple of weeks before the local mechanic came over to do the back plugs.
ALL the plugs had dirt in the plug 'hole'!!
Mechanic did the 2 on the drivers side, but could not do the passenger side!
Sprayed WD-40 and let is soak overnight.
When he came over today I saw him break the 3 cylinder plug.
But after 10 more minutes he told me that he would have to take the cylinder heads off to get the plugs out.
I thanked him, paid him for the work done and told him I would think about it.
After he left I was able to get #3 changed, and got a 'grip' for #4 plug, but need 2 'u-joints' to get to the plug and can't get good torque to break it.

So, is there a 'trick' to get that #4 out??

The second part to this post is that while the truck was sitting in the driveway squirrels (or mice) decided that the engine bay would be a nice place to make a winter home!!
Wires/tubes got chewed!!
Here is what I found chewed....
I believe the wired part is the ignition advance, and have read that it belongs near the drivers side fender, but cannot find any 'loose' wires.
The tube I believe is vacuum tube (passenger firewall), but also do not see the other end of the tube!!
Any help would be greatly appreciated.




 
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2017 | 06:24 AM
  #2  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,811
Likes: 2,431
which cylinder are you calling #4? The rear cylinder on the passenger side is #4.
 
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2017 | 09:05 AM
  #3  
terry274's Avatar
terry274
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
I think the part you are holding is the spout that is unplugged to set the base timing. The truck will run without it but the timeing won't advance. The wires should be on the driver's side fender near the firewall.
 
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2017 | 09:24 AM
  #4  
jtmalott's Avatar
jtmalott
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: Fort Wayne, IN
Get some of these magnetic spark plug sockets from matco. I was able to get to all of mine on my 96 with a 460, if i remember, i had to get under the truck to get good leverage on #4 and #8. I also broke the #3 plug off in the head, had to pay a good mechanic $300 to drill and run a tap and clean out the cylinder, but he was able to do it in place after i cut the inner fender well out of the way.
 
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2017 | 10:03 AM
  #5  
Augie0906's Avatar
Augie0906
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
which cylinder are you calling #4? The rear cylinder on the passenger side is #4.
That is the one I am speaking of.


Originally Posted by terry274
I think the part you are holding is the spout that is unplugged to set the base timing. The truck will run without it but the timeing won't advance. The wires should be on the driver's side fender near the firewall.
A picture of the exact location would be great as I have looked and cannot find it.
If the mice/squirrel chewed the wires close to where they first appear I am guessing I will never find them.


Originally Posted by jtmalott
Get some of these magnetic spark plug sockets from matco.........
Thanks, I will check them out.
 
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2017 | 10:58 AM
  #6  
mrollings53's Avatar
mrollings53
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 4
From: Washington
You might get better response in the 1997-2003 F150 forum.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum25/
 
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2017 | 11:24 AM
  #7  
Augie0906's Avatar
Augie0906
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by mrollings53
You might get better response in the 1997-2003 F150 forum.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum25/

Darn......I thought I had posted this on that sub-forum!

If an admin sees this maybe they can move it over easily?
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
390XR7
2004 - 2008 F150
11
Aug 23, 2011 08:45 PM
Munkey
Modular V10 (6.8l)
12
Aug 21, 2009 10:15 AM
Aeroman59
Aerostar
21
Oct 17, 2008 07:11 PM
sgibbs489
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
5
Oct 1, 2006 01:23 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:50 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE