After I got my 2000 back after having the gasket replaced, I had a dead miss under certain conditions. Not always, just when everything was "right".
I gave it all consideration, talked to the guy who did the work and theorized that flexing the plug wires during the course of all the work had possibly created a problem.
The wires have approx 75,000 miles on them so they are due for replacement anyways.

I recently installed new Autolite 5144 copper plugs. Today I installed new Motorcraft OEM wires.
WOW what a difference. I should kick my own butt for forgetting how much improvement I got the first time (about 75,000 miles ago).

The dead miss is gone and the engine just flat runs better. It runs smoother and pulls better. I'd be skeptical if it weren't my own truck.

I gotta say, for 159,000 miles, it is one darned good running engine.

So, moral of the story:

Don't neglect - or under estimate - the importance of replacing wires and plugs.

Maybe I'll change them at, oh lets see.....
159,000 + 60,000 = 219,000 miles.
I'll make it an even 220, 000!

 

so the verdict is....

OEM wires and autolite copper plugs? Where can i get the motorcraft wires, dealership? I'm sitting at about 71k

 

rman,
I chose the copper plugs because they are cheap ($1.40 each I think it was), can be bought most anywhere, should last 12-15,000 miles, and plugs are easy to change.
If you don't want the hassle, go back w/ platinum.
You can buy the wires at the dealer. I bought mine at a local OEM parts distributor: $44 inc. tax.
I do suggest dielectric grease in the boots and a dab of anti-sieze on the plug threads.

 

thanks brian

as you know, my truck has recently gone to hell. I'll be sure to get that done my next chance. Today is suspension day, i've been driving around like a wannabe hot rod for a week now (only front is lowered, 16's up front, 20's out back)

 

lol, that must suck. I'm sure the people that actually have common sense know what you're in the middle of though.

 

i hope so. I really, really hope that theres no one out there that thinks I only had enough money for 2 rims and a front end drop kit.

I think i'm going to go with the OEM motorcraft plugs, just so I don't have to think about it for awhile....

 

Update:
The wires were a definite fix. I drove about 550 miles yesterday and everything is great.
Got 20 mpg one time.