spark plug tune-up
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2009
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spark plug tune-up
getting ready to change my spark plugs in my 5.4 and was wondering if it's simple or difficult.I have never done this with the coil packs so just looking for input before i tackle them this weekend.thanks in advance
beach
beach
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Eastern PA
front 4 are easy. next 2 are a little tough. last 2 are gonna suck. Folks will say removing the fuel rails make it easier. Not really. Get 2x 3" extensions that have the rounded ends so they can go in at angles. Get a spark plug socket that has the little rubber piece on the inside to catch it. Clean all around it and in the hole before removing the plugs, to avoid debris in the cylinder. Easiest way to do this I found is to get a transmission funnel, turn on your shop vac, put the funnel side against the hose so it sucks it in, and then use the little flex tube on the end of the trans funnel to get those hard to reach places.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Taylors, SC
I don't know if the 5.4 is like the V10, with the spark plugs down in a hole, but if it is, I might add that you spray the socket insert with silicone spray AND tape the socket to your extension with electrical tape so when you pull the extension back out after tightening the plug the socket comes with it and does not stay on the plug.
Eric
Eric
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Florida
It is like the v10 in that way. I thought the job was easy. I had a spark plug socket from KD tools that just did fit in the hole and it had a wobble extension built in. I think I needed to add a 2" extension and used a wobble head ratchet.
Remove the intake, remove the coils. Spray the holes with air or lube, no water, to clean them out alittle. Then remove and reinstall the new plugs. The pass side rear most was a little more difficult to me, but unplugging the last injector gave me just enough room to work. Just remember to plug it back in, if you don't, you sweat until you remember it's not plugged in and causing that horrible miss.
Remove the intake, remove the coils. Spray the holes with air or lube, no water, to clean them out alittle. Then remove and reinstall the new plugs. The pass side rear most was a little more difficult to me, but unplugging the last injector gave me just enough room to work. Just remember to plug it back in, if you don't, you sweat until you remember it's not plugged in and causing that horrible miss.
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just did the plugs in my 01 x w/v10 today. Took about two hours, but what a difference. Turns out the po had put plain champion plugs in. Went back with motorcraft plugs and it feels like I added two more cylinders to it, if I had 4.30 gears it would be scary. By the way I torqued my plugs to 28ftlbs. I tried 168inlbs but it barely felt tight. and with 28ftlbs it felt like it would take even morte torque. Just my .02 
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
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just did the plugs in my 01 x w/v10 today. Took about two hours, but what a difference. Turns out the po had put plain champion plugs in. Went back with motorcraft plugs and it feels like I added two more cylinders to it, if I had 4.30 gears it would be scary. By the way I torqued my plugs to 28ftlbs. I tried 168inlbs but it barely felt tight. and with 28ftlbs it felt like it would take even morte torque. Just my .02
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Michigan
Yes, 168 in/lb = 14 ft/lb. This is what i have mine torqued to. I did mine at 50k and checked them again last summer at 65k (two years later) and they were all tight.
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i found the torque specs on blownoutsparkplugs.com. The owner claims to be a ford tech and a tsb stated to torque the plugs to 28 - 32ftlbs. As a professional mechanic I did not fell comfortable with 11 - 14ftlbs it was just past hand tight. And the founder of the website said they torqued a test plug past 100ftlbs with no problems.
Posting Guru
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i found the torque specs on blownoutsparkplugs.com. The owner claims to be a ford tech and a tsb stated to torque the plugs to 28 - 32ftlbs. As a professional mechanic I did not fell comfortable with 11 - 14ftlbs it was just past hand tight. And the founder of the website said they torqued a test plug past 100ftlbs with no problems.
Read this thread where they discussed that website's torque specs. Basically everyone on that thread concluded that 28-32 ft. lbs. was to much and that the plugs would be overtorqued.
Pay close attention to the post made by LxMan1, the Modular V8 (4.6L, 5.4L) forum moderator. Here's the post he made on that thread.
"Over torquing and detonation are the main reasons for blown plugs. The cylinder pressure raises really high during detonation and over torqued, stressed threads will not hold up to the detonation pressures."
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...que-specs.html