Spark plugs
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 95
Likes: 3
From: ny
There is always a chance of snapping one off. Mine 1989 f250 351w was pretty rusty through out . I sprayed each plug with PB blaster and also squirted Marvel Mystery oil for three days and than used a breaker bar turning each one so slightly back and forth and all 8 came out no problem. Don't just try to muscle them out quickly chances are you'll break a few off.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
There is always a chance of snapping one off. Mine 1989 f250 351w was pretty rusty through out . I sprayed each plug with PB blaster and also squirted Marvel Mystery oil for three days and than used a breaker bar turning each one so slightly back and forth and all 8 came out no problem. Don't just try to muscle them out quickly chances are you'll break a few off.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
It is just going to dissipate in the heat until it is gone. But, if you put a shot of PB Blaster in each plug well for about four hours you should be ready to see what you have. Depending on how long they have been in there they could be tight but hand force with a plug socket used properly shouldn't break the ceramic or strip threads. Remember to wipe out the plug well before you remove the plug so the PB doesn't go down the cylinder. A small amount won't hurt anything but you should wipe out the wells anyway to remove dirt etc. before removing plugs. Check your gaps before installing.
http://www.f150hub.com/maintenance/5...ark-plugs.html
http://www.f150hub.com/maintenance/5...ark-plugs.html
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New User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Ok thank you. It's a pretty decent pickup . Its straight. My wife's grandpa bought it new. Then her dad had now I do. The truck runs great but Its obvious plugs haven't been done in a long time. I've done plugs before . So I'm not clueless. If it does happen to break how big a deal is that? I have read some things I just would like to know what other Ford guys think
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
Ok thank you. It's a pretty decent pickup . Its straight. My wife's grandpa bought it new. Then her dad had now I do. The truck runs great but Its obvious plugs haven't been done in a long time. I've done plugs before . So I'm not clueless. If it does happen to break how big a deal is that? I have read some things I just would like to know what other Ford guys think
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New User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I didn't take offense. I was kinda throwing my lvl out there lol. I'm not a mechanic. But I know my way around a vehicle and a wrench I'm equiped to do alot of repairs but big jobs like the clutch I had put in I paid a shop to do it.
What makes me think they are due to be replaced is they have rust on them . They look dirty. Under the hood is pretty dirty though. My father in-law drove it from Bozeman Montana to Arizona and back alot. Alof of it's life was in the desert
What makes me think they are due to be replaced is they have rust on them . They look dirty. Under the hood is pretty dirty though. My father in-law drove it from Bozeman Montana to Arizona and back alot. Alof of it's life was in the desert
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New User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 13
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If it was to break is it a job an ordinary guy could accomplish? I did my 93 ranger a couple yrs ago and it was fairly easy. I didn't use any thread breaker or anything. They were a little tough but then came out in one peice .
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
It is DIY as I understand. Using the force you used on the Ranger try one of yours the same way and see what happens.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,698
Likes: 47
From: Mexico, Missouri
I know your pain regarding the Triton engines.
Start the truck and the engine heat up, not operating temp, just enough to heat the heads and plugs. The heat will help if they are really stuck.
Start the truck and the engine heat up, not operating temp, just enough to heat the heads and plugs. The heat will help if they are really stuck.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,786
Likes: 1,751
From: Kentucky
These push rod engines are not as prone to snapping off spark plugs as the later model Triton engines. I have owned plenty of both engines over the years. Never broke a plug on a push rod V8. Cannot say the same for the 3V 5.4 in my current 2006 Navigator. 2 out of the 8 broke off when I changed them 2 years ago when I got the Navi. Easy job to extract with the right $tool$.
Do as suggested above, soak the plugs a few times with PB then warm up the engine before actually trying to change them. I found it easier to get to the spark plugs on the passenger side by removing the front wheel so I could get to them from the wheel well. All 4 plugs are visible and accessible from there. Use a long extension and a proper spark plug socket.
Do as suggested above, soak the plugs a few times with PB then warm up the engine before actually trying to change them. I found it easier to get to the spark plugs on the passenger side by removing the front wheel so I could get to them from the wheel well. All 4 plugs are visible and accessible from there. Use a long extension and a proper spark plug socket.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 946
Likes: 186
From: Carnation, Wah
Mine were rusted half- off, and they came out OK- with the abovementioned tricks.
It's NOT a modular, that's fur sher!
What IS easy to do is to break the porcelain insulator in the contortions it takes to
get them in and out. So if you need the truck for a daily, buy a set- and a spare-
before you start. Then, after they're in, make absolutely sure the insulators don't
move at all, or spin, or anything like that. I got my truck with
'it runs like crap in the wet'
and 2 of the 8 plugs were cracked when I pulled them.
hth
t
It's NOT a modular, that's fur sher!
What IS easy to do is to break the porcelain insulator in the contortions it takes to
get them in and out. So if you need the truck for a daily, buy a set- and a spare-
before you start. Then, after they're in, make absolutely sure the insulators don't
move at all, or spin, or anything like that. I got my truck with
'it runs like crap in the wet'
and 2 of the 8 plugs were cracked when I pulled them.
hth
t
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New User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I think in most cases they can be re threaded and an adapter is used. How hard is it to remove a broken one? It just depends on conditions. Also didn't mean you were clueless for asking the question, I just didn't know your skill level. A lot of new members are just getting started. The back and forth removal mentioned above is a good idea also. What is obvious about the plugs that you have determined they have not being changed in a long time?