Antique Spark Plugs
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Senior User
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From: Gettysburg PA
Antique Spark Plugs
I have a 97 with Spark plugs that have been in since the Civil War. About 100,000 miles to be exact ( Maybe more) What kinds of issues can I run in to trying to get them out? Suggestions? I have these nightmare visions of plugs breaking off as I try to get them out....
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I just did mine at 110K - ended up doing them twice in a week 'cause I forgot the anti-seize on them. The biggest issue I ran into is that I tore up 2 of the o-rings on the new injectors, so I got to fix those, again.
take off all the fuel injection stuff and COP's and spray a little PB blaster into the spark plug holes, then have lunch and let them soak for a bit. The big trick is going slow, and using steady pressure on the ratchet when you are removing the plugs rather than jerky / banging motions. If you are using a decent quality spark plug socket and making sure it is seated correctly, you shouldn't ever break off a plug. It also helps if you break the plug free with the socket, twist it out a few turns, then remove it completely using a piece of fuel hose stuck down over the top of the plug. you can only get so much torque on the plug this way, which helps keep the threads from getting damaged.
Remember, just replace the plugs with the same (updated) version of the archaic motorcraft plugs. These motors don't like the fancy new fangled plugs.
SLOW AND STEADY
take off all the fuel injection stuff and COP's and spray a little PB blaster into the spark plug holes, then have lunch and let them soak for a bit. The big trick is going slow, and using steady pressure on the ratchet when you are removing the plugs rather than jerky / banging motions. If you are using a decent quality spark plug socket and making sure it is seated correctly, you shouldn't ever break off a plug. It also helps if you break the plug free with the socket, twist it out a few turns, then remove it completely using a piece of fuel hose stuck down over the top of the plug. you can only get so much torque on the plug this way, which helps keep the threads from getting damaged.
Remember, just replace the plugs with the same (updated) version of the archaic motorcraft plugs. These motors don't like the fancy new fangled plugs.
SLOW AND STEADY
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Gettysburg PA
Anything I should know about getting the FI stuff off? Whats "COP" Is that the coil? Also I have already bought a set of Autolites, will they work as good as the Motorcrafts? With this engine at 217,000 miles I dont want to shock it!
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 491
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From: Southern Illinois
OK, give me a few minutes and I will find you some links.
Had some links saved in an email:
Here's the guide I used:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...xperience.html
Read a lot on this on plug blow outs. Very important you get an idea of why proper installation is key:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...t-mystery.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...5-4-plugs.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...n-answers.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ark-plugs.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...w-plugs-3.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/tsb....7/d-EXPEDITION
In addition, I have an Word doc with pictures I accumulated from other websites. It helped as well. Send me your email in a PM and I will get it to you.
Tom
Had some links saved in an email:
Here's the guide I used:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...xperience.html
Read a lot on this on plug blow outs. Very important you get an idea of why proper installation is key:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...t-mystery.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...5-4-plugs.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...n-answers.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ark-plugs.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...w-plugs-3.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/tsb....7/d-EXPEDITION
In addition, I have an Word doc with pictures I accumulated from other websites. It helped as well. Send me your email in a PM and I will get it to you.
Tom
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IMO - return the Autolites and get the Motorcraft ones.
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x2 on motorcraft. If you are going to autozone, they can't figure it out based on the engine. You have to give them the original plug number and get whatever the new version is. (at least my autozone couldn't figure it out, and sold me some $8 per plug platinum jobbers)
Just be gentle pulling the COPS up and out of the of the plug holes. The boots have a tendency to stick in the holes, which isn't a big deal as they go back togethor. You just don't want to rip them.
Just be gentle pulling the COPS up and out of the of the plug holes. The boots have a tendency to stick in the holes, which isn't a big deal as they go back togethor. You just don't want to rip them.
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For that matter, might as well just get a set of 8 new rubber boots for the COPs. They could be brittle already and for the reasonable cost of about $3 a piece, it's not worth trying to save them, especially if they're original. I hate to see a skip in the engine due to a cracked rubber boot after all of that work to change the plugs.
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Thank you so much 97EXPGUY...
Wow! After reading all your links, I will have this job done at the dealer. I plan to get the COP boot/contact spring tune up kits and have them change out these parts when they change the plugs. Its a huge savings to do this and not replace all the coils!
Thanks for taking the time to educate me and save me lots of frustration and $
JW
Wow! After reading all your links, I will have this job done at the dealer. I plan to get the COP boot/contact spring tune up kits and have them change out these parts when they change the plugs. Its a huge savings to do this and not replace all the coils!
Thanks for taking the time to educate me and save me lots of frustration and $
JW
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 491
Likes: 4
From: Southern Illinois
Thank you so much 97EXPGUY...
Wow! After reading all your links, I will have this job done at the dealer. I plan to get the COP boot/contact spring tune up kits and have them change out these parts when they change the plugs. Its a huge savings to do this and not replace all the coils!
Thanks for taking the time to educate me and save me lots of frustration and $
JW
Wow! After reading all your links, I will have this job done at the dealer. I plan to get the COP boot/contact spring tune up kits and have them change out these parts when they change the plugs. Its a huge savings to do this and not replace all the coils!
Thanks for taking the time to educate me and save me lots of frustration and $
JW
Tom
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