i have a '98 4.6 and i was wondering if cleaning out the throttle body would be a good idea? im sure it has to be a little bit dirty considering how old the truck is

 

Yup

 

what about the special coating that is inside the throttle body? wont i need to put more of that in there once i clean it out?

 

I don't think you have that in the 98 (Anti-Sludge Coating). Mine didn't, but I've seen others that have in later models, we run a wheel inside and take that crap out , then polish them - nothing sticks to them once there polished and you increase your airflow ..

 

ok. well the haynes manual i have said not to take the coating off. but polishing sounds like a good idea. what did you use?

 

Yeah that coating is a joke, just port and polish it to the max.