Man am I confused. After reading many threads on this form relating to spark plug blowout, replacement, torque, anti-seize, etc, I am left to wonder what really is the correct proceedure to change plugs on a 2001 V-10. Many of the threads suggested use anti-seize and torque to 168 inch pounds and now I read the latest postings advising to torque to 30 ft. pounds with no anti-seize referring to a Ford TSB. So what really is the correct proceedure???. I don't want to screw this up.

 

I would want to see proof of the 30FT requirement. That is overkill and will cause issues. My shop has done hundreds of these engines over the years and no plug blow out issues. We use the same procedure. Spray lube in the sparkplug tubes wait 5 mins.Break the plug lose , spray more lube and remove the plug. Install plug with copper antiseize and torque to 156 inch pounds.

 

yeah I know what your saying I guess it's a matter of opinions,this is what I did and what my dad recommended(he is an automotive machinist so he works on cylinder heads all day long)I replaced my plugs with autolites put nickel antisieze on the threads(good for 2400deg.)torqued the plugs to 25ft lbs.I don't say this is the proper way to do it but I don't know of any proper way that can garuntee you won't spit a plug,most important thing is to check the plugs every so often to see that they are staying tight.

 

I hear you Paul I read the forum here also and came to the same conclusion. I just did mine and used the antiseize and torqued them to 20 foot lbs.

 

I have a 1999 model (mfg'd in 1998) and still use what ford390gashog mentioned above. No loose plugs - ever - and still runs like a champ.

 

I admit that my recent post probably made some more confusion. On my own V-10 I put the plugs in at 168 inch pounds with anti-seize, but the blownoutsparkplug dude makes a couple interesting points that I haven't seen on the forum here. One is that the V-10 put in the Lincoln is the same engine with the same heads and their torque spec for the plugs is 28 foot pounds. Could this be an error or could it be different for different years?-I don't know. I put it forth as the truth as it was told by him to one of his customers. The other issue, which rings true to me, is the importance of removing the carbon off the plug seat and threads. Maybe I haven't looked hard enough but I haven't seen that point made here in the forum. The other tip about looking into the well after the plug is removed to see if the seat is shiny or black makes sense. Shiny equals no leaking and black you got a leaker. Some things are starting to add up for me about the carbon. One of the spark plug companies weighed in on this issue and said the newer more highly oxygenated fuels make much more carbon than the fuels of old and foul the plugs and seats more. It makes sense that if you don't clean the carbon the plug won't hold a torque. I think this might explain why some of our members put the plugs in by the book but they get spit out anyway. Im gonna get a brush and clean the seats and threads when I do them again. This is a great forum and Im sure someday somehow we're gonna get to the bottom of this problem.

 

Did my 2001 V10 plugs two summers ago at about 50k miles. Used the above described procedure (168 in/lbs though) and have had no issues.

 

All - So what's the overall conclusion ? 360in-lbs (30ft-lbs), 168in-lbs, or 156in-lbs ? Nickel vs Copper anti-seize ? A dab, put on the bottom of plug, or all over ? Also, the "lube" referred in this string. Are we talking WD-40 ?

Appreciate feedback as I'd like to check my '99 V10 before the start of camping season. Thx !!

 

The only vehicles from FLM that had the 6.8L V10 were the Super-Duty trucks. Lincoln never had the V10 in anything.
JL

 

Take your pick! I think the most important thing is to choose a route, remember what you did, and re-check them later.

I chose nickel-based anti-seize and 14 ft-lbs. That was only 6 months and 2,000 miles ago, so the jury's still out on mine.

 

I did the 168 ftlbs, with copper antiseize. I am going to run until spring, and re chack the torque. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

168 ft/lbs?!? I hope you mean in/lbs...

 

Me too

Unless he's angry, which is understandable.

 

Yup, in lbs it was, thats what I get watching tv and typing at the same time...

 

What would you guys say is a good time to change the plugs on a 2002 ??