A word to the wise. If you have 500 dollars for the dealer to install new spark plugs for you, DO IT! I changed plugs on my 97 5.4 this past weekend and it was the worst thing I have ever done on a vehicle bar none!. I even ended up breaking one of the coil packs trying to reinstall the PITA fuel rails. It still drives at least but now I need new coil packs!

What are your guys' secrets to this job? I didnt take the fuel rails or injectors out of the engine. I did loosen them and have them pulled off, but that is it. Was I supposed to? The front 2 plugs on the drivers side and front one on the passenger side were cake. From there on it was a NIGHTMARE! Worst experience ever!

 

It can be very tough. I changed the plugs on a BMW we once had; same kind of deal; a coil pack for each plug. What a struggle. Plus it was a hemi head with the plugs buried about 10 inches down into the head. So try pull the socket of the plug before the extension pulled out of the socket!! It's no wonder that maintenance is so expensive with today's engines.

 

HI!... All I can say is *WOW*. 32 minutes and I'm done. Not hard to change at all IMO.

 

That's easy to do when the engine's always sittin' on the stand in the garage LOL!! When was the last time you had the engine running long enough to merit changing the plugs IN the truck?? :P

Just kidding, Neal....

-Joe

 

hey Neal, your gallery link goes to someone named 'Rednredy' ??

 

My first time took about 2 hours. While I agree it could have been designed better it is not the worst thing I have ever done. You don't have to loosen up the fuel rails, the coil will come up beside them.

 

Its all in the tools.

 

It's one of those learning experiences. I do 'em on a daily basis, and taking my time I can get 'em done in about an hour. I don't like to rush on that job 'cause I tend to start breaking things.

Want to do a fun one? You haven't lived until you've tuned up a V10 Econoline...

 

the newer and more advanced the engines are the more they are a pain in the *** My bro has a '92 XLT with a 5.0L and it took 25 mins to change

 

I recently did plugs and injectors at the same time, it wasn't that bad. With my big fat hands it looked like I'd been fighting with a cat. The best tip I've heard, is to use a piece of 5/8" heater hose to get the new plug in and snug..... worked well.

 

Well, the plugs for me were the easy part. Getting them in and out was easy. All you needed for that was extensions and u-joints. It was the navigating through the fuel rails and the injectors where it got sketchy for me, and I had help through the whole thing. My biggest problem was getting the coil packs off and then on again. The damn boot kept coming off and flying everywhere. Then getting that damn coil pack back on...PITA! Do you think it would be a wise idea to unplug the coil pack from the wires that were on them?

 

I feel sorry for you guy!

 

amen to that

 

only thing is EGR b/s on the drivers side and the coolant lines on the passenger side get in the way.

 

I would rather do my truck 5 times than a 67' cougar 390 (california car w/emissions crap) again. My truck takes me about 2 hours.