Feb 2002

Changed Plugs again

Now that the Warranty is almost up I put Denso iridium IT20's in
They are expensive.  They come pregapped at .042
http://www.densoiridium.com/

Close ups of Denso Iridium IT20 Plug

Some of the tools I used - I didn't use the offset wrench....

7mm Swivel helps on some of the tougher 7mm coil pack bolts

The Snap on socket in use on the front drivers side plug.

Pictures of coil on plug coil packs

Sept 2001

After less than 2000 miles the Splitfires look like this ....

I installed 6 Splitfires ( Didnt have tools to get other 2 )  
less than 2000 miles ago  and this is what 2 of them looked like

YMMV - Your Mileage may vary ....

I spent a couple hours checking and changing my spark plugs this weekend.

Here are some pictures of the stock plugs I pulled out.  
I would love to know why the insulators are so red

The 3rd plug on the drivers side and the rear plug on the pass side are both real pains.  I haven't decided yet whether to try them again later or pay someone to change the last 2 for me.

I disconnected this brake booster vacuum line when installing the rear plug on the drivers side.  When I went to plug it back in I noticed a couple of cracks in the circled rubber hose right in the middle.  I was able to push the hose on to the tubing far enough to not lose vacuum but you might want to check it.  Losing power brakes is no fun

I removed this EGR? recirc hose when working on the pass side plugs.  Found out that the truck will not stay running with this hose disconnected.  If turns over, fires and dies immediately.

I didn't get a picture but be careful when bolting the coils back down with the 7mm bolts.  I found them very easy to cross thread.  The last time I changed any spark plugs was on a 92 302 in my old F150.  Changing the plugs in the Lightning's is a much bigger job.  The spaces are much tighter.  With all the tools in the world I would never be able to meet Chucks estimate below of 2 hours. 

Spark Plug changing tips from Chuck  - aka ltnbolt on www.nloc.org

The first thing you need to know is where the release for the wire connector to the coil pack is. It is on the bottom in the middle back next to the wires. You push up on it.

Tools needed are: 3/8" ratchet with (2) 6" extensions, (2) 3" extensions and 5/8" sparkplug socket. 1/4" ratchet with (2) 2" extensions, (1) 4" extension and 7mm socket.
1/4" small breaker bar (I call it that) this tool will make life easy on the third 7mm bolt back on drivers side because a regulator sticks out off of the fuel rail making it a tight fit.

You do not have to take fuel rails or power steering tank brackets off to do this job.
Disconnect the wire to the coil pack then remove the 7mm bolt and twist coil back and forth. The coil should come right out with a long rubber boot on the end. After you get it out wipe any dirt off with a rag so it won't fall back in the hole going back in. If you have air blow any grit out of the hole before removing plug.

The 3/8" ratchet,(2) 6" extensions and socket do most of the plugs. The passenger side 4th plug takes a 3" extension in the plug socket to make it in the hole because of a metal hose.

On the drivers side the first plug takes all of your 1/4" drive extensions to be able to get to the 7mm bolt because of a bracket. This bracket is also over the plug hole. Now just use your 3" extension on the plug socket and slip it in the hole from the front of the truck. Then put put another 3" on it and take it out no problem. It helps to unplug the hard plastic hose from the rubber intake boot for more room.

The only other problem is the 7mm bolt on the 3rd plug back on the drivers side. It's too tight to even use a swivel above the socket. This was after going to three stores to find one. I had to finally crank it over at a 90 degree angle and use it like a breaker bar.
This is why I suggest you get one of those little breaker bars on the front end and you'll have no trouble. By knowing the tools you need on the front end and knowing when to use them this should be a 2 hour or less job.
It was a 5 hr. job for me between borrowing extensions twice, going on my shopping spree for a swivel and wrestling with that 7mm bolt.

Tips: Put antiseize on your plugs, start your 7mm bolt by hand and your plugs before putting a ratchet on then. You don't want to cross thread that aluminum.

I hope this helps. It's a lot more info than I had.

Chuck