Hi all,

I will be changing the spark plugs this weekend on an 05 5.4L. I purchased a different set of plugs and they will require a larger socket than 9/16ths. This is the first plug change so I don't know if that is going to matter during install...basically, will the larger size socket fit down the hole?

Thanks,
Mark

 

What brand of plug? Never heard that question before.

 

Hi.

Motorcraft SP-507, 515. etc takes a 9/16" socket

Autolite HTx, Ford Racing M-12405-3V0, etc takes a 9/16" socket

Champion 7989 take a 5/8" socket.

E3 E3-70 takes a 9/16" socket. (and should be avoided at all costs )

Brisk Silver Racing 3VR17YS takes a 9/16" socket (AFAIK)

Those are your choices.

They ALL fit the plug well on yer engine.

good luck


MGD

 

What exact plug did you buy? If it's E3, take them back, they don't work worth a crap in the 3V. Champions work well for some, not so well for others. Also, if you are putting anything but Motorcraft OEM's in, you should buy new boots for the COP's.

Are you aware of the sticking and breakage issues and the proper technique for changing them? Do you have access to a Lisle extraction tool?

 

Buy Lisle Tool. DO NOT change the plugs without one.

I bought champions, they started sucking within a month, Amazon fully covered my refund.

Went Motorcraft SP515. I don't regret anything, not that I have the Lisle Tool.. of course.

 

Hi.

Can you elaborate?

Did you perform all of the necessary steps - Inspect the plugs for damage? Check & Set the gap @ 0.045? Use New boots, and fresh dielectric?

Did you take any pics of the Champs when you took them out?

Just collecting data - thanks

MGD

 

Thanks for the replies! I am aware of all the problems with changing of the plugs but have not purchased the extraction tool...maybe I will. Yes, the plugs are E3, guess I will take them back and go with OEM which is usually the way I do things.

Thanks again!

 

Wise decision on your part to take the E3s back. These engines did not like them at all. Going with Motorcrafts, you should have no trouble getting the second set out at all.

 

I'm still trying to figure out the OP's original question - the E3 3.70's use the same size socket as the OEM plug - 9/16"

http://www.summitracing.com/int/part...3-70/overview/

So why ask if a 'larger' socket would fit ?


MGD

 

MGDfan, I went to the parts store asked for plugs that fit an 05 F150 5.4 and picked the E3's. Got home opened up the box, placed a 9/16 socket on it and the socket would not fit (too small). Wrong plugs? Anyway, those are back on the store shelf and I have a set of Motorcraft now.

 

They must have sold you E3's for a 2 valve engine.

You now have Motorcraft SP-515's I hope?

 

So, changed the plugs the other day......6 of 8 broke. Good thing for the Lisle tool! The worst part about the process was hearing the awful sounds while trying to back the plug out. Each screech makes you cringe and think "Why am I doing this?". Well, at least its done and now working on the next 110K miles.

 

congrats....

 

Could someone please elaborate on the e-3 plugs , I put them in 30,000 mile ago and so far all ok . Now that you say there no good i'll probably have a problem (carma) LOL This plug is in the 06 5.4 and all cars below except the 13 plus five others.

 

The first several members that tried them had to pull them out after 3,000 or so miles. maybe E3 got their problems resolved. If you've gone that far, I would keep on trucking.