How to do spark plugs - Repost

Mike8675309

Registered User
Here are some various posts on doing spark plugs I've gathered from here and there:

From mn12performance:

http://www.mn12performance.com/mn12how-to/mn12how-to.htm


From Vernon Cradier
As my brother just stated the '94-'95 cars centered the engine more, good for maintainance not for cornering since having it slightly to the pass side makes for good solo driving wieght balance. So they are actually all do-able, and pretty easily mind you, with the car on the ground.

But here are the tips for the First Gen SC's and some to all can and will apply to yours also so read all of them before starting the job. All tips must be followed to achieve desired results , especially the plug recommendation.

Vernon


Here are the tips:

The cylinders are numbered like so, facing engine from front of car. Front
to back, left hand side then right hand side. #1 is the front pass and #3
is the rear. #4 is the front D/S and #6 is the rear, got it?

#1: Done from up top, remove the air intake tube and put in trunk for safe
keeping. Drain and remove the coolant overflow bottle and put in trunk.
Now you can get to #1 with a swivel on the spark plug socket and about two
or three 3" extensions on the ratchet.

#2: Done from under the pass side. Do to the tight fit it is easier to use
a short socket that fits on the hex head of the spark plug socket. Push the
spark-plug socket on by hand then slide on the ratchet with the short socket
that fits the plug socket head to loosen and install.

#3: Underneath, use a short (3") extension on the ratchet with the plug
socket. It may be easier to push the socket and extension on first then put
the ratchet on them.

Warning: I may have 2 and 3 mixed up in my memory but I don't think so. If
you try and it seems like it then switch methods and see what happens.

4-5 from underneath driver’s side

#4: just socket and ratchet, fits and turns. May have to put socket on
first like others.

#5 & 6 are pretty easy.

Do make sure wires get centered then clicked down. Don't try to crimp
terminal for tight fit on tip of plug, for any reason.

When installing coat the threads of all plugs lightly with anti-seize. This crap is messy so have a roll of blue towels handy. If you get some on the tips clean with carburetor brake cleaner and do over. Tighten plugs until they just seat then just a bit more, don't strong-arm them.

When loosening if they are stiff don't strong arm them, just maintain
pressure and they usually bust loose within 5-10 seconds, if not slightly
increase pressure and try again. The engine must be cold (aluminum
threads).

If you drop a plug inspect it big time. If in doubt get another one--this is very
important. If you start it up and it's missing badly ones broken. Without a
scope it's a guessing game as to which one. If this happens and you dropped
one or heard some cracking sounds when torqueing one in try replacing the plug(s) in question first. With fresh anti-seize you can do it warm, hot you can't
touch it!

Study the routing of the wires and only remove and replace one side at a
time to avoid mix-ups. Match the old wires to the same size wires in the
new set. Take each engine side of the plug wires off while still in the
looms; there are three on each side. Then match the wires to that side and
lay them out next to the old ones, spaced exactly alike. Then transfer the
looms one at time to the new wires. Start from coil ends to plug ends
and put the three for that side back on in one piece.

Make sure that the new wires sit clear of any hot or moving parts when on.

Motorcraft AWSF32PP's will increase full throttle power and resist detonation better than the 34's. Don't freak over the different base design it's been tried and tested by us every which way to Sunday and it works better. Yes we installed them in loose heads and they fit snug in the chamber like a performance plug should and not sticking out holding heat like the 34's. Leave the smaller gap on the 32's alone, this is better. Milage and emmisions will not be adversely effected in any significant way.

Vernon

Fixer of all things broken, breaker of all things fixed. Somewhere along the way they end up twice as fast.
 
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