Somebody correct me if I'm wrong... (because luckily none of mine broke, so I didn't have to go through this)..., but.. The tap is bigger than the electrode hole because you are tapping the electrode shield.. not the hole. I also read that it doesn't take much tapping to get it out. Concerning the metal scraps... I believe the TSB uses a small vacuum plug that is placed into the shield that will cover the hole so nothing falls into the cylinder.

 

All sounds correct to me.

 

The electrode is in the center of the porcelain. Hopefully, you got all of that out. What should be left is the shield. Look at your new plugs. It looks kind of like a thimble. You are suppose to tap a few threads into it. You MUST put a vacuum plug down into the very bottom of the shield or else filings will get into your cylinder. Coat the end of your tap with grease, then for every 1/2 turn, back it off 1/8 turn, then back the other way. Here's the Ford tech video on how to do the procedure.

http://www.flatratetech.com/index.php?categoryid=4

episode 26

 

Ok, that makes sense to me now. So I must get the Snap-On tool to finish the job right? There is no other way to get a vaccuum plug right?
Thanks for all the help again guys. This forum is great!!!

 

You can get a vacuum plug at parts stores. It' sthe little rubber plug that goes over the inlet when you eliminate a vac hose. All the pieces can ge gotten at a parts store for a homemade tool or can be bought from Rotunda or SnapOn.

 

I believe the SnapOn set has a vinyl vacuum cap. If not, its part # 382444-s from Ford.

 

dtd05f150 Are you sure the porcelain's are out????? If you are looking at a 1/16 hole they are still in. Did the plug come out with just the thin electrode wire hanging off? I've got pics around here somewhere....

 

Which spark plug looks likethe ones you broke?

 

Unfortuantely, THEY look like the one on the left. Yes, the porcelain is still stuck inside the base. Actually, the porcelain BROKE off at the base flush with the base. Now Im screwed!! I guess the truck goes to the dealer and the heads get removed right? I was so happy the first one (driverside front) came out in one piece, from then on, they all broke inside. It pisses me off that I did everything coprrectly, soaking, backing out and tightening, and backing out again and I still broke them.
Anybody have a clue what this is going to cost? $1,000-2,000??

 

I may be mistaken, but I think guys have been successful at getting the porcelain out. Ford even has a TSB and a tool for it. It involves a 3/16" rod with an adhesive, such as rear view mirror adhesive. You stick that down in the porcelain and let it set, then pull it out. You will then have to use the other procedure to remove the metal shell. I'll do a search, see if I find anything describing it further..

 

Ok, here is the Ford TSB that includes using a Loctite glue to get the porcelain out. I know some guys have not bought the tool and used a rod with the mirror adhesive.

http://www.wfservices.biz/TSB%20Ford...%20removal.pdf

 

Normally I would attempt doing this, but Its being towed to the dealer down the street today or tomorrow. I need the truck back for work. I told the dealer they can keep it all next week while Im on vacation in Sanibel.
This has been a major pain in the ***... I just hope the dealer will use the new TSB to remove the ceramic instead of removing the heads

 

From what I've seen on here, if the heads need to come off, you're looking at about $2500. My local dealer quoted me 1 hour/plug @$110/hr for the each extraction.

 

Better put he vacation on hold, until, you know the price of the truck repair.

Because, if you, in fact, chose a stealer instead of a dealer, you will need to stop at wally world and pick up a jar of vaseline!

 

Nah, I need this vacation!!

I have faith in the dealer Im taking it too. I hope.... we'll see.
I told him I knew about the TSB that states using the Loctite to remove the porcelain. He knew what I was talking about and said that it works most of the time BUT not ALL the time.