Spark plug spitting questions...

[MO Lightning]

I know this has probably been beat to death in the past, but I'm wondering if anybody ever came up with a reason for the factory plugs coming out. Were they loose or crossthreaded? Was it poor manufacturing? What's the deal? I know I've seen it happen on 4.6's, standard 5.4's and V10's, too. What's Ford doing about the ones that are out of 3/36 warranty???

 

[MO Lightning]

Anyone have an opinion??? Lots of looks, but no answers? Anybody tighten their plugs right after purchase or anything?

 

[captainoblivious]

Unlike most cars, we only have a few threads holding the plug in. If you take out the plugs you can actually see how many threads hold them in.

Better yet, in the picture below from Chucks lightning page you can see it better. Notice the one plug, SF 10D. The silvery part you see is the anti sieze on the actually threads that hold the plug in, which isn't enough for the strength of heads.

 

[srdstang]

My father had a 97 f150 with the 5.4 that blew a plug out and ever since it had a realy bad skip, so after about 5 more times in the shop for the mis they toke it back from him. It only had about 30k on it and was under warrenty.

 

[380hp]

Is that what yall use is anti seige on your plugs?

 

[blown99]

I have a V-10 in my shop right now with a spark plug blown out. It has 100K on the motor and ford didn't want to know nothing. The head with the cam costs me $495. There is also no way to heil coil these plug bores. There is also only 4 threads that hold the plug in. The bore was wiped clean. So much for a 100K tune up!

 

[LIGHTNINROD]

Several of us checked the 'easy' ones to see if they were tight. I finally changed out the stock ones about a month ago. There are only 4-5 threads holding them in. I ran mine down finger-tight-snug and then 1/16th of a turn more--after using a copper-based German anti-sieze(Lubra-Moly--I think)--altough Sal(PSP) suggests not using anti-sieze. I just 'had' to use some--I'm an old gearhead. Don't get any on the firing end of the plug!

Dan

 

[SVT375]

has anyone tried thread lock??

 

[GOT BOOST?]

Fords 100K mile tune up: New plugs & HEADS !! What a joke. A factory defect and they leave customers holding the bag. No wonder people buy rice and krautwagons.

 

[SVT375]

nevermind,i guess you would need alot with the threads being gone and all duh

 

[captainoblivious]

has anyone tried thread lock??

I don't even want to know how hard they would be to take out.

 

[thegerman]

Fords 100K mile tune up: New plugs & HEADS !! What a joke. A factory defect and they leave customers holding the bag. No wonder people buy rice and krautwagons.

The krautwagons sometimes beat your ***, hope you don't call us sauerkrauts ever more.

However I love my '99L.:tu:

 

[1badtk]

Maybe this will explain the plug spitting a little.
I 1st pulled my plugs back in August of 1999 just to check them and see how hard they were going to be to get out. Something I do with every new car. While attempting to do this I found two plugs that were not tightened, removed them with my fingers, extension, and socket. Ever since then I have spoken with people who have done the same and also found finger tight plugs. I believe the problem lies in the factory install and the plugs not being tight from the get go. This is a problem with many of the 5.4's Lightning or not.
Your best bet is to check them, make sure they are tight. If you haven't pulled them and checked the gaps yet, do so and then you will know they are right, and tight.