changing the plugs
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
those dang champion plugs at o'reilly's are $21.00 apiece! the 7 i have replaced are autolite HT1's and i used antiseize on the bottom portion. the #6 did break through the electrode so be careful. all in all it really wasn't that bad. i sprayed PB Blaster in first, let sit for a couple hours, then did the loosen tighten thing once then sprayed carb cleaner in. then i continued the loosen tighten thing about 20 times each and 6 of them came right out. i did the #6 last and i may have gotten a little cocky thats why it broke. sure didnt see the electrode breaking though.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
sorry to hear about your problems man..that sucks
here are some good DIY plug extractor tools
http://www.f150online.com/forums/art...ark-plugs.html
http://www.f150online.com/forums/200...-pictures.html - Post #10
here are some good DIY plug extractor tools
http://www.f150online.com/forums/art...ark-plugs.html
http://www.f150online.com/forums/200...-pictures.html - Post #10
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
just regular anti-seize that autozone had. i think i'm also gonna start running 89 octane instead of 87 and maybe and fuel treatment every few tanks to try and keep the carbon down. by the time its ready for new plugs, im sure it will be time for a complete overhaul or maybe a crate engine.
i'm nervous about whether or not i got all the ceramic out of the cylinder. been working on it all morning and just took a break about an hour ago. i've used compressed air, vaccuum, grease on the end of a straw.................definitely got some pieces out. if anyone has any other ideas, PLEASE let me know!
i'm nervous about whether or not i got all the ceramic out of the cylinder. been working on it all morning and just took a break about an hour ago. i've used compressed air, vaccuum, grease on the end of a straw.................definitely got some pieces out. if anyone has any other ideas, PLEASE let me know!
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Coldwater Mi.
You guys have me freaked out over a plug change. I looked at the picture of the plug , but it's hard to tell at the base where the threads are - I take it that it's a two peice plug and the bottom breaks off when you talk about getting the porcilen out of the threads. Are they the same from 03 -08 5.4 engines ? Got one with about 40K so maybe should check it out. I haven't had any faith in Champion since they moved to Mexico. I wonder if NGK makes a plug that will fit ? Sorry to say but they're probably the best plug out there from what I've seen , atleast they're not made in China.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Carson Valley, Nevada
If it won't grip the little pieces, try a big wad of bubble gum on the end.......
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
just regular anti-seize that autozone had. i think i'm also gonna start running 89 octane instead of 87 and maybe and fuel treatment every few tanks to try and keep the carbon down. by the time its ready for new plugs, im sure it will be time for a complete overhaul or maybe a crate engine.
i'm nervous about whether or not i got all the ceramic out of the cylinder. been working on it all morning and just took a break about an hour ago. i've used compressed air, vaccuum, grease on the end of a straw.................definitely got some pieces out. if anyone has any other ideas, PLEASE let me know!
i'm nervous about whether or not i got all the ceramic out of the cylinder. been working on it all morning and just took a break about an hour ago. i've used compressed air, vaccuum, grease on the end of a straw.................definitely got some pieces out. if anyone has any other ideas, PLEASE let me know!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
You guys have me freaked out over a plug change. I looked at the picture of the plug , but it's hard to tell at the base where the threads are - I take it that it's a two peice plug and the bottom breaks off when you talk about getting the porcilen out of the threads. Are they the same from 03 -08 5.4 engines ? Got one with about 40K so maybe should check it out. I haven't had any faith in Champion since they moved to Mexico. I wonder if NGK makes a plug that will fit ? Sorry to say but they're probably the best plug out there from what I've seen , atleast they're not made in China.
These plugs are only used in 04-08 5.4l's 3v applications. The Champions are a one piece, so they will not seperate in your head, and cause all of the problems with trying to get the lower shell out. I put Champions in my 05 F250, at around 44,00 miles and have had no problems with them so far. And I am not a big fan of Champions, but they are the only one who makes platinum one piece plugs, currently. I agree NGK's are one of the best plugs on the market, but they don't make a plug for these engines. When I changed mine, I ran Marvel Mystry Oil in the gas, for a month, prior to changing them out. They all came out with great ease. I just had to break them loose with a ratchet, and hand spun them the rest of they way out. And I put the Nickel Anti-seize on them, as extra insurence.