I have a 1997 f150, 4.2L, 5 speed, 121K miles. I am pulling a P0301 code ( misfire, cylinder 1 ) Replaced sparkplugs and wires. Still getting the fault. Truck runs well. The code seems to come on after about 10-20 miles at moderate rpms ( 1-2 K rpm) Have reset and consistently comes back. I am thinking COP; unfortunatley, it is a one-piece unit so changing COP to see if the fault follows to another cylinder doesnt appear practical. Any tips or suggestions for next steps? I need an inspection sticker asap!!!

 

Hello and welcome to the forum

You should still be able to move a COP but it sounds like the coil over the #1 cylinder is bad.

 

You're 4.2 v-6 dosen't have c-o-p "Coil On Plug" does it? Don't think they do. If this is a one piece coil pack that is most likely you're problem. Some of these packs are seperate but are bunched togather and do look like they are one piece.
Try an inexpensive spark tester that you can place on the plug wire itself, with the truck running, and check for a good spark.
Bob

 

If it's a coil pack, chances are it's waste spark system so unless 2 cylinders are dead, it's problably not the coil pack. Could be an injector, sticky valve, plug wire, or plug....

 

Guys; Thanks for your suggestions. Perhaps COP was the wrong terminology; Here is a link that shows the ignition coil pack that my wires plug into on the top of my engine. Can these be separated out to switch positions???

http://search.ebay.com/4-2l-coil-ford_W0QQfromZR8QQsatitleZ4Q2e2lQ20coilQ20fordQQss PageNameZRC0021

 

That coil pack is not a Coil Over Plug. ubereal2 and Wilber15 are on the right track.

 

Find or barrow a good sparktester that will let you place the tester on the plug wire and check for spark without removing from plug.
Sure you'll find the problem there. An erratic spark.
Bob