Man, I think I used up every ounce of luck I had stored up!

 

I have used those extractors several times on all sorts of stuff. A good set of those is a must for any toolbox.

 

I found something called a "thread chaser" designed specifically for cleaning out spark plug threads. Bought it, used it. New plug went in without a hitch. Everything worked out perfectly and the truck is back together. Can't believe how everything came together for me on that one.

 

.
I have 2 sets of them extractors... very useful...

 

Glad to see a happy ending.

 

Make sure ya'll are using a piece of fuel line (3/8" IIRC) to put plugs IN. I spin the plug in with the hose until it bottoms, then 1/4 turn with a wrench. You'll never cross thread jack that way. If a plug is fighting, go back and forth while adding pen oil. Then use the cleaning tap before installing the new plug. (doesn't hurt to blow some shop air into the cylinder after the tap to blow out any grit)

With the truck warm, you can use a little pen oil as well for removing plugs. Some techs use a impact ratchet to get plugs out. Not to get them out but just to rattle a bit before they wrench them out.

I have no idea why Fords spark plugs are STILL so critically lame and fragile. The spark plug factory actually has F150 plugs in a glass display hanging on the wall. I laughed out loud when I saw it. What a product to be proud of. LOLz. That factory is closing down, so hopefully the next generation of plugs will be decent.