Help,

Today I changed the 4 plugs on the passenger side of my 97 f150 4.6. Started up the motor and was surprised to hear my engine was loudly "clacking" like a diesel. Rechecked the plug wires and injector wiring, all were firmly attached.


HELP. What do I check next?

thanks for any suggestions.

 

Did you disconnect the battery first ? You can fry the PCM if you don't.

They sound like a diesel when #4 is a dead hole or misfiring. Also you have to get the firing order right. Are you absolutely sure that it is?

If you used Autolite,Champion or Bosch plugs in a 97, - some cylinders may not fire at all. These engines DO NOT like plugs that aren't suppose to be in there.

 

Hi Jbrew,

Well, I did disconnect the battery after replacing the first 3 plugs and started to worry about touching something as I got closer to the firewall.

Do you think it could be the gap? I used Autolite APP104 plugs that came gapped at .044 and I changed to .054.

Thanks for any advice on how to test.

 

ROFLMAO are you serious!! I"ve had autolights in my truck since changed at 105,000 miles and now have well over 130,000 on them with no problems at all!!! but then again it could be that I had a good mechanic to put them in for me and not some backyard mechanic..lol or worse some dumb *** ford technician that just came out of tech school lolll

 

Autolite = wrong heat range. You need Motorcraft, Denso or NGK plugs for that one. Same thing happened to me.

 

"autolights" ? , - um, I'm referring to Autolite Sparkplugs, not headlights bonehead and good for you, - just proves even a Jackass can get lucky for 25,0000 miles.

There are quite a few that have been able to run them, but it's usually short lived and in the mean time, their trucks lack in economy and performance.

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Dumb *** Ford Tech huh. Well you can kiss my *** kid, your not the least bit funny. Enjoy yourself

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ihilani - Give it time, others will chime in on this one.

 

I agree about the motorcraft plugs also AutoLITES suck buddy, jbrew is correct.

 

What I did is thru my old Motorcrafts back in her until I could make it to the parts store so that I could purchase the right plugs. Two out eight cylinders weren't firing. Working allot of hours at the time, so I didn't have a choice. But at-least I was running on all eight again after doing so.

 

Do you know what the new motorcraft part number will be? I was running AGSF32FM Which I understand was a single plat fine wire plug. I understood I was supposed to be using a double plat plug.

Thanks for you help.

 

No problem ~


SP413

Product Description: MOTORCRAFT SUPPRESSOR SPARK PLUG, SOLD INDIVIDUALLY -- Delivers maximum voltage to the spark plug while maximizing performance and increases engine...Read More

Series: Suppressor

Type: Direct OE replacement

Fit note: .054 Gap; Premium Nickel Alloy

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SP432

Product Description: MOTORCRAFT SUPPRESSOR SPARK PLUG, SOLD INDIVIDUALLY -- Delivers maximum voltage to the spark plug while maximizing performance and increases engine...Read More

Series: Suppressor

Type: Direct OE replacement

Fit note: .054 Gap; Platinum Finewire

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The 432 Finewire is more common, better plug IMO.

 

Just returned from Schucks with the Motorcraft SP432. Will be replacing the autolites with Motorcrafts tomorrow morning.

That rear passenger side plug is getting easier to replace after doing it two or three times in a day.

Thanks for all your help. I'll let you know if the clanking noises go away.

 

Make sure you do not use antiseize, and torque the plugs to 28 ft/lb.

 

Not to get off topic but, what is antiseize used for? Exhaust man. studs or? Ive never used it before on anything.

 

Nickle has the highest heat rating and under normal circumstances is used on plugs, O2 sensors and what not.

97-03 heads on these engines only have 4 plug chamber threads. It's thought and believed that this product could have adverse effects on a plug installations thus forwarding the "NASA effect" from the very most top of each cylinder.

Here's a link. -

http://www.sacskyranch.com/antiseize.htm

 

Still need your help.

I replaced the 4 autolite plugs with motorcraft. Started the truck up to turn around and still have the metallic rapping sound similar to a diesel engine.

I still have the 4 motorcraft plugs on the drivers side to change but thought I'd better figure out what I did wrong on the passenger side before moving on.

I did change the plugs one at a time to make sure I didn't cross any wires.

Thanks everyone for your help.