plugs on 5.4

[bigblockpaul]

Hey how hard to put new plugs in a 5.4..Do i need to also pull the fuel rails.....any good info will be much app....Paul

[Blowngt92]

Its not to bad. I just did it in my truck. Patience, about 3-4 hours (first timers) and 1/4 drive stuff with swivel and 7mm socket to get to the COP's. I didn't have to remove my rail, I was able to finness the COP's out and get to the plugs. Just make sure you have a torque wrench to put the new plugs in. They tend to shoot out or strip without a torque wrench.

[Blowngt92]

Oh I forgot, get a magnetic pickup tool also. You will loose your socket on the 3-4-7-8 Cylinders. They are the toughest.

[2 beer]

its not bad just take your time if its the first time. the guy above me hit the nail on the head. Make sure you properly torque them in there or your truck will sound like a tractor. (and you'll have to heli-coil the head)

[MisterCMK]

They will blow out whether or not you torque them. It is a design problem with the lack of threads holding the plug into the head. I changed the plugs in our Expedition, and 12k later it blew out. I made sure to torque them down and everything. Good luck, it took my quite some time to do ours, but it was the middle of winter too.

[2 beer]

Ford has come out and said its a torque related problem. If you read the TSB's about it they say that there was inconsitant torquing. Possibly with yours the damage was already done when you did plugs and by properly torquing them down it just escalated the problem

[MisterCMK]

Ford is wishy-washy on these problems. They never actually admitted that there is a fault in their design becaeuse of the HUGE cost it would be to fix these problems. I have read the ford-trucks.com forums, and there are hundreds of people who have had the same problem even after they replaced the plugs but torqued them. Even people who haven't even touched the plugs have had a problem. I have looked at the head, and there is only 2 or 3 threads holding the plug in, and when mine blew, it took all the threads with it. Ford even went as far as to say that they won't even consider helping us because we are not "loyal ford customers." The last 3 new vehicles we've bought have been fords. They just won't help us because we don't pay to have our oil changed at the dealership. Fuck Ford!

[2 beer]

Ford is wishy-washy on these problems. They never actually admitted that there is a fault in their design becaeuse of the HUGE cost it would be to fix these problems. I have read the ford-trucks.com forums, and there are hundreds of people who have had the same problem even after they replaced the plugs but torqued them. Even people who haven't even touched the plugs have had a problem. I have looked at the head, and there is only 2 or 3 threads holding the plug in, and when mine blew, it took all the threads with it. Ford even went as far as to say that they won't even consider helping us because we are not "loyal ford customers." The last 3 new vehicles we've bought have been fords. They just won't help us because we don't pay to have our oil changed at the dealership. Fuck Ford!

if it makes you feel better they are not helping anybody out. If they help you out they gotta do something for the next guy and so on. Did you have them replace the head or did they just heli-coil it for you. A lot of people say the Heli-Coil route is not good becasue it doesnt transfer heat and ground the plug as well. We have had pretty good luck with doin the heli-coil route though. Just thought I would pass along what i have seen. I know that $1300 head is a tough bill to swallow with labor on top of that. I think we have gotten people out the door for about $400-500 with the heli-coils

[Outrun]

I think Ford fucked over quik-emart as well when his motor grenaded on him.

[darkdan]

3" extension, 6" extension, u-joint, and a wobbling spark plug socket if you can find it.

[MINNESOTA 5.0]

i have only seen one case of the plug comming loose.
i have done LOTS of plugs in these motors.

ford has redesigned the plug itself as it has more threads on it.
if you compare the new one to the old you will see the difference.

it really is not that hard to do if you take your time.
the vans are the hardest though.

[MisterCMK]

I only wish our bill was $1300. I was stuck in North Platte, Nebraska when it happened, so we were at the mercy of the stealership. They ended up butt-raping us for $2500 for a new head, and we were stuck there for a week. I have heard the same things about the heli-coil, however I have heard that a "time-sert" insert works very well. There is actually a class action lawsuit going on that I am a part of. We'll see what happens.

[I Tried]

I can fix the blown out spark plugs for about $300-400 if anybody ever needs it done. Paul if you want me to install the plugs for you I will. Shoot me a P.M. and I will give you a hell of a deal. I have done a couple hundred and can do em in about a hour.

Tim