How hard is it to change the plugs and wires on a 97 f150 4.6????
Ran a scan tool on it it showed a number 4 missfire. Does this sound like the right thing to try first?? By the way I cant even see the number 4 plug!!!!!! Can I change this ??? Im no ace mechanic but dont really want to pay a dealer for this, but on the other hand I don't want to spend 3 hours cursinf ford either. So scale of 1-10 how hard is this project??

 

If you do a search, you'll find LOTS of info on this topic. I've done it (change plugs) a couple times and changed the wires once. Not a picnic, but not impossible, either.

 

Barbwire44, as you I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, but if you have a couple of hours on your hands then you could definitely change them out. I just changed mine after 100,000 miles. Changed plugs (denso iridium's) wires (Accell) and the coil packs (MSD). Your right with the #4 plug...it was a bear to get out, but if you want the dealership to do this, then plan on at least a couple hundred dollars....just my two cents worth....I'd say go for it.

 

I just did this a week ago, wasn't all that hard really. The hardest part for me was getting the old wires pulled from the plugs. You'll have to move the powersteering fluid resivoir bracket out of the way, that's about it. Like the guy said, it isn't really a snap like an old inline-6 but it isn't the hardest thing to do either. 1-10, 10 being hardest, it's about a 6.

R.K.

 

Ok, thanks guys I will attemp this today, I bought some new wires and a set of autolite double platinum's hope this is a good choice??? What are the gap settings on the plugs??

 

dealer quoted me at 210 bucks for plugs/wires. I said nope ill do it mylsef

 

I changed my plugs about 2 months ago, it wasnt a big deal except the # 4 plug is hard to get to. I just got a check engine light this weekend code was showing misfire, checked #4 plug and wire and everything checked out fine, so then I started to check the rest of the plugs and found that the #3 plug wire had backed itself off of the plug.

 

I have changed them on my 98' and like some of the previous guys said its not too bad... just time.....
One word of advice is to make sure you change them one at a time if you dont know.... that way your sure you dont mix things up... which would be BAD. I found the hardest part to be taking the clips apart which separate the wires as they weave their way around the motor.
I found also to get some of the tougher ones...... go through the wheel well and turn the wheels out of the way.... its alot easier to get at.... didnt have to remove any components at all.

 

I was quoted $450 from the dealership here in Dallas I bought my truck from (after my regular mechanic I have used for the last 10-15 years refused to change them.) ($250 for plugs and $200 for wires.) Although i'm sure you will spend 2-3 hours cursing Ford, for $450 I plan on finding a way to do it myself here in the next week or two.

 

Not too bad. Just takes patience and some scraped knuckels to get the job done. Kind of brought back memories of working on older motors(HMMMMMMMMM miss the older cars and trucks when you could actually pop the hood and do something).
I'd say bout a 5 on scale of 1-10.


2 97 f-150's
1 with mods 1 without(hopefully modded soon)

 

Im with STX/98!