Today was the day to tackle this job and I can honestly say that I couldn't have successfully done this without the help of this forum.

My truck has 118K on the clock and by my estimation, it was still sporting factory CoPs and plugs......I'm the second owner. So, in go new motorcraft plugs torqued to 28 ft pds and, vistion Cops with dielectric grease.

Having read (multiple times) the various write ups and advice from folks like bluegrass, glc and patman, I got through this in 3 hours and without any issues.

The truck runs well and should be good for many miles to come.

So, thanks to everyone for all the great advice on how to do this job.

 

Good deal. Glad the forum was worthwhile.

Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup

 

I replaced the plugs in mine at 119k miles and kept the original cops. I used anti-seize on the threads and torqued by calibrated arms like always to probably 20 something lbs. My truck now has 129k miles on it. My last job ended a couple weeks ago and I'm retired (69). So, soon I will check them to make sure they are still tight. I'll report the results since the standard advice is to not use anti-seize so they don't blow out.

I sold my 2000 F150 5.4 at 105k in 2005 to a friend. He ran it up to 170k with only one cop having to be replaced. That is the reason I didn't consider replacing the cops.

 

Agreed. Not much preventative maintenance (and almost zero performance) gain from replacing COPs "just because". Wait til the go bad.

 

I'm at 251,000 miles and still on 7 or the original 8 OEM cops.... Just did my second plug change of the engines life about 5,000 miles ago.. (it was overdo, I know!).

Made a big difference with new MC plugs in place... Very happy!

I didn't use anti seize or dielectric on the boots.. Never have and never have had an issue..

I lost the 1 cop about 10 years ago and it was #4, so the heater hose dripped and killed it... Fixed the hose and replaced the cop with an OEM unit and haven't looked back since...

Mitch

 

you're welcome

 

to each his own I guess regarding when to replace the cops........I already had new plugs and cops so that's what the old girl got. I have no history on this truck so, i'm writing my own chapter......
my other point with starting this thread was, don't be intimidated by this......not too bad if you heed the advice given and take your time.

 

Visteon Coils, Yea I bet it feels like twice the power. I know mine did, it was like night and day. The Cops do degrade over time, - one turn at a time, I mean they're little generaters that eventually burn up one wire (turn) at a time.

Before they start missing noticeably, just know that yea, they were falling short way before you knew it.

You did good.

 

BTW, you should be thanking me, since I taught all these guys

 

holy smokes jbrew.....my apologies!! you're like ef hutton....when you speak, i listen!!!

 

ef hutton lol, I haven't seen those commercials in awhile.

 

Thats because they merged with Shearson Lehman/American Express in 1988 and was renamed Shearson Lehman Hutton.

 

Geezz, it was THAT long ago lol..

 

The COP coils on these motors live a harsh life in the location they are.
Heat from the heads, and exhaust manifolds as well as the engine bay temperature rises after shutdown all take their toll on these coils.
The expansion and contraction from heating and cooling break the wire internally at the connection terminals and enamel wears off the wire causing shorted turns.
Only way around this is a different design which would cost even more.
Since they are considered a normal replacement item times 8, it seem expensive for what they are but that's the way it is.
This is why the factory OEM grade coil is the standard.
Good luck.

 

Transformers, but you know that.