I had a problem last week with spark plug backing out. Well yesterday I found out that the electrode(the part that goes into the plug wire, I think thats what its called) had stripped out. So today I went and bought a whole new set of Bosch+4plugs. When I put in the plug in he same hole I stripped the threads. I need to know if anyone knows what size the threads on the spark plug are. If I can find that out I can probably repair ir myself. If not I will have to take it into Ford tomorrow. If anyone knows reply to me ASAP!

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97 F-150 S/C 4x4 ORP XLT 4.6 K&N , Flowmaster w/dual tailpipes, Bosch+4 plugs,Ford 9mm wires,Superchip.Patriot fiberglass toneau cover, Westin chrome step bars. Rear seat lift 4".
Kenwood 4011 stereo, USAcoustics 2150 amp, Profile electronic 3 way crossover, 2 10" IDQ DVC's, and Polk Dx7 5x7/6x8 3 ways in the front doors.

FUTURE PERFORMANCE MODS:
4.10 gears, Edlebrock shocks, Magnacharger, Airaid, and slotted rotors.

OTHER FUTURE MODS:
Ram Air hood w/functional ram air, suspension lift, 17" polished wheels, 35" tires, and sunroof.

 

I think this is a repair job for an expert only, if you try to re-tap or (chase) the threads in the head and strip the head even more, you may need a new head. There is also a thread insert called a (heli-coil) which is a threaded insert that takes the place of your damaged threads this is the method of repair on older engines with aluminum heads. I think there is a thread here about a stripped sparkplug hole and Ford would not install a heli-coil. they replaced the head, the truck was still under warranty. (something to do with safety of the repair with a heli-coil)
To avoid stripped threads only remove spark plugs when the engine is cold, install with anti-sieze and torque to spec

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2000 F-150, XLT, SC, 5.4, 4X4, 355 LS, ORP, Black/Silver, class III, single CD, sliding glass, med. gray, keyless, elect. shift, engine date 8-18-99, Superchip. '93 Harley Fatboy Black & tons of chrome




[This message has been edited by Bubbadewsky (edited 09-22-2000).]

 

I would not want a heli-coil in there. They work for most applications but I don't think I would trust it there. I think I stripped it the other day and when I did the engine was cold. Yesterday when I finished stripping it the engine was still warm.

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97 F-150 S/C 4x4 ORP XLT 4.6 K&N , Flowmaster w/dual tailpipes, Bosch+4 plugs,Ford 9mm wires,Superchip.Patriot fiberglass toneau cover, Westin chrome step bars. Rear seat lift 4".
Kenwood 4011 stereo, USAcoustics 2150 amp, Profile electronic 3 way crossover, 2 10" IDQ DVC's, and Polk Dx7 5x7/6x8 3 ways in the front doors.

FUTURE PERFORMANCE MODS:
4.10 gears, Edlebrock shocks, Magnacharger, Airaid, and slotted rotors.

OTHER FUTURE MODS:
Ram Air hood w/functional ram air, suspension lift, 17" polished wheels, 35" tires, and sunroof.

 

OUCH.....Time to get a new timex.

If it is the number 3, 4, or 8 cylinder, I'm sure the heads gonna have to come off. Now would be a good time to find another set to prep for the swap. Don't know if I could trust a helicoil in a deep plug socket on a SOHC motor or not.

Our prayers are with you, best of luck.



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Terry Deaton
99 F150 XLT, 2WD, 4.6, S/C, S/B, Superchip, K&N FIPK, FMS 9mm, +4s, Nerfs, Leer Top, Cow Catcher W/Bright A$$ Lights, True Duals with hi flow cats. Coming soon: Fabtech 3" and 4.10s.
96 SVT COBRA
98 AERO
Speed Kills, drive a Chevy and live forever.

 

I took it to the dealer. Luckily its only 1/2 a mile so I was able to drive it there.

They recommended taking the head out also which I agreed with. Once they have it out they will look at it and see if they can repair it, by the wat its #6. If they can't they will take it to a machine shop and see if they can repair it, if they cannot then they will have to put a new head on it.

So for the time being I am without my truck and we have only the wife's car. I will probably be taking Monday off from work because my daughter is also sick. Hopefully they will have it fixed Monday.

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97 F-150 S/C 4x4 ORP XLT 4.6 K&N , Flowmaster w/dual tailpipes, Bosch+4 plugs,Ford 9mm wires,Superchip.Patriot fiberglass toneau cover, Westin chrome step bars. Rear seat lift 4".
Kenwood 4011 stereo, USAcoustics 2150 amp, Profile electronic 3 way crossover, 2 10" IDQ DVC's, and Polk Dx7 5x7/6x8 3 ways in the front doors.

FUTURE PERFORMANCE MODS:
4.10 gears, Edlebrock shocks, Magnacharger, Airaid, and slotted rotors.

OTHER FUTURE MODS:
Ram Air hood w/functional ram air, suspension lift, 17" polished wheels, 35" tires, and sunroof.

 

Whew! Got her back tonight. Cost me a chunk of change.$650 to be exact. they had to take the head off to repair it. They were able to do so but had to put a different type of plug in it with longer threads on it. So I guess I don't have a Bosch+4 in there anymore.
They also cleaned the injectors and reprogrammed the computer.
They also said they found a chunk of aluminum in the piston but no damage done.
So far I seem to have gotten my lost power back, the only question is by reprogramming the computer is my Superchip affected?

They also finally replaced my lugnuts which were under recall and were supposed to be replaced last time I had it in.

 

Now I'm not so sure about doing my own.
Sorry to hear about the head trouble, though. ,,,,98

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98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Westin nerfs blk .powdercoat
Clear front corners
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam, etc..etc.......
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.Billet grilles on order
Hoping for deliverance from door crack hell.

 

Wolvrin do you know why the plug hole stripped? Is it something that you did like maybe cross-threading when the new plug was installed or could it already have been stripped from the factory. Also could it have stripped itself when it backed out on its own, like blowing the last few threads away before letting go. Please let us know this is an expensive repair, and I too am sorry it happened

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2000 F-150, XLT, SC, 5.4, 4X4, 355 LS, ORP, Black/Silver, class III, single CD, sliding glass, med. gray, keyless, elect. shift, engine date 8-18-99, Superchip. '93 Harley Fatboy Black & tons of chrome




[This message has been edited by Bubbadewsky (edited 09-26-2000).]

 

When to dealership reprogrammed my computer I had to have my Superchip reflashed to match the new computer code.

 

I think it stripped partially when it blew out the 1st time.
ps398, did they give you the new code or did they put a new sticker on it? How much to reflash it? I think it does need reflashed because I can tell the difference in shift points.

 

You should have a sticker under the hood with a # on it. Open the hood and it should be right near the latch. I called and gave the # to Mike Troyer and he got the new computer code for it. All it cost for the reflash was the cost of shipping it to them and $10.00 for them to ship it back.

 

Guess what, no sticker under the hood. I also checked the door, no sticker. I guess I'll have to call the dealer and see if they know the code.