spark plug changing experience

[gser425]

So I successfully changed my spark plugs. Patience is just as important as skill in this procedure, but I want to tell some people that might care how it went. Well, when I got the expy a couple of months ago it had the "chatter" that so many of us and f150's have. After much research I learned this chase is often a losing battle. The other day I started changing my plugs and quickly realized the easy ones are easy the hard ones are very hard.Before long I'm sitting on my rad shroud on my knees. Anyway, I'm scared to death I'm going to break one and be screwed. On the contrary, 2 literally were less than finger tight(as in when i was slipping the socket in hole I thought I was missing it because all it did was turn and never lockdown.) And of the remaining six at least 4 were still just barely tight.And found three different motorcraft plug numbers on them. When I sarted the motor it was so much quieter, but still not purring. I still had the back passenger side to change and didn't do it until yesterday. I now have a chatter free vehicle that sounds fantastic. I love it when things come with a bonus. It runs smooth, accelerates great best results $100 has ever had on a vehicle I owned. Thanks, Stuart

 

[Lightnig]

Sounds like great results, good job.

did you do coils too, or just the plugs?

 

[ArtGamer60]

Nice job . I am a little weary myself about it ? from all the articles I have read about broken plugs in the heads , and helicoils needed , etc ... I am looking at changing them , just for the hell of it . Patience ? I got , ( I have had to walkaway from my truck with the trans replacement job ) just a few times ! you have to be a contortionist and have to be in the right frame of mind ( I may just do it in pieces myself ) Thanks again for the report .

Note : I also heard that the '97 4.6 is the one that has the most problems .

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

Stuart,

thanks for sharing.
what year, engine, miles etc.?
Did you just dive in, or did you follow a tutorial, Chilton/Haynes manual, Youtube etc. sure others might be interested.

PanHandler.

 

[gser425]

Thanks for the responses guys. I only did plugs due to finances but coils are the next go round. Now that i know what's involved it want be to difficult. Also , I just use others experiences as my tutorial. Before I had my twins I was redoing a vintage suzuki and learned everything from a similar style forum. My expy is an 05 xlt with 135,000 miles. The patience part is why I still had only one left to do. I get antsy and that is when screw ups can cost more than the original maintenance. So I came back to it refreshed and not in a hurry. I love this forum even when people disagree it is in a civil manner no one gets personal or starts attacking others for mistakes or opinions. Thanks, Stuart