Well it happened. Blew a spark plug while I was sitting at a redlight. Didn't know what it was until I smelled some gas and knew something bad happened. Parked it found the 3rd coil pack on the passenger side just flopping around. Looked at the spark plug and saw that the electrode had been slapped by the piston. Limped it home and shut her down. What sucks is that tomorrow I was going to do normal maintenance(oil change, check plugs, etc...) like I always do. I might have caught it before it happened.

Anyway, looking at options:

A: Inserts (Cheapest, probably easiest)
B: New Head/s ($$$)
C: Any vendors rework my heads?

Are there any vendors that will take MY heads and install inserts, port/polish, and maybe new cams while they're at it? Obviously more expensive then just doing the inserts myself, but it seems like it would be less expensive than having to buy new heads. Cams would just be a bonus while the heads were off. I just don't see the sense in buying new heads when mine are fine except for the spark plug threads.

I believe I can do the uninstall/reinstall of the heads myself so that isn't an issue. Not sure about the cams though.

I am open to suggestions and advice. If anyone can throw out some price/costs guesses that would help also. Looks like it could range from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars depending which way I go.

Thanks,

Mook

 

Fox Lake's website shows pricing breakout for each item (valve job, seal, port, etc.) and it appears that they can port YOUR heads, rather than swapping for another set, if you wish. Other may do the same, but I've not seen the breakouts like Fox Lake shows. I'm in the market for headss, so I've been digging recently.

Sorry to about the carnage and Good Luck!

Herb

 

Sorry for your troubles. Just for reference how long had it been since you last checked your plugs.

I almost had the same disaster on my stock '03 caught a loose one at 16K.

I hate the plug change on these but I fear loosing one everyday now.

Scott

 

It had only been 3,000 miles since I last checked them. They've only been in the truck for 4,000.

Mook

 

I hate these frigging post, so sorry Mook

I was fortunate and never spit one, but during the rebuild
I sure as hell DID install the inserts

Whatch out, there are 3 diff type, and it's important to use the correct ones

I have @ 13 threads now (much better than 4)

PSP did mine and I'm sure can help you too

 

That's about an oil change interval for me. And I never check my plugs that often.

Sorry and I hope you get it fixed soon and are back enjoying it.

Scott

 

From ford a new head is about $900 bucks.

 

How did the piston slap the plug?