This is topic Spark plug installation in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://californiafords.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=008116

---

Posted by Sicc98GT (Member # 1862) on :
 
I got new spark plugs and wanted to install them on my car myself. ive never done this before and wanted to learn how to do it. i was wondering if it is fairly easy or not and if i should attempt to do it on my own or not, and how you go about doing it, and also if there are any special tools required? i have a 98 gt btw.
 

---

Posted by 94gt (Member # 3060) on :
 
its pretty easy, just get your socket wrench out and pop them bad boys out one at a time and replace them.
make sure you gap them correctly, I dont know if the gap changed for the SOHC/DOHC'ed stangs...
A chiltons/haynes also gives pretty fiar instructions on the procedure
 

---

Posted by graylx (Member # 3919) on :
 
The parts store that you go to will most likely be able to tell you the correct gap for the plugs. Be sure that you do not mix up the wires (if you use the same wires, leaving them hooked to the distributor). If you are thinking of replacing the plugs, perhaps you should consider checking the condition of the rotor, cap, wires, and PCV valve.
 

---

Posted by 87 Saleen (Member # 1549) on :
 
yea and when you put them back in make sure those bitches are going in straight. You don't wanna fuck up and cross thread those aluminum heads.

Just take ur time, some will be harder to get to then others.
 

---

Posted by graylx (Member # 3919) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by 87 Saleen:
yea and when you put them back in make sure those bitches are going in straight. You don't wanna fuck up and cross thread those aluminum heads.

Just take ur time, some will be harder to get to then others.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by graylx:
The parts store that you go to will most likely be able to tell you the correct gap for the plugs. Be sure that you do not mix up the wires (if you use the same wires, leaving them hooked to the distributor). If you are thinking of replacing the plugs, perhaps you should consider checking the condition of the rotor, cap, wires, and PCV valve.

---

i bought a nitrous kit and they threw in some ngk tr6 spark plugs with it so thats why i am going to change them. in my haynes manual it says i should gap them at .052, but should i gap it differently for a nitrous application? if so how much should i gap it at and how do you gap your plugs
 

---

Posted by graylx (Member # 3919) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sicc98GT:
Thanx guys for your imput!

quote:

---

Originally posted by graylx:
The parts store that you go to will most likely be able to tell you the correct gap for the plugs. Be sure that you do not mix up the wires (if you use the same wires, leaving them hooked to the distributor). If you are thinking of replacing the plugs, perhaps you should consider checking the condition of the rotor, cap, wires, and PCV valve.

---

i bought a nitrous kit and they threw in some ngk tr6 spark plugs with it so thats why i am going to change them. in my haynes manual it says i should gap them at .052, but should i gap it differently for a nitrous application? if so how much should i gap it at and how do you gap your plugs

---

If you bought the nitrous kit new, did they include instruction with regard to spark plug gap in the Owner's Manual? To be honest, I am not quite sure if you have to gap them differently as I have never had nitrous on my car. Perhaps another one of the guys could chip in because I am intrigued myself.

As far as the spark plug gapper, you can pick one up at any parts store. They are pretty cheap...about 99 cents apiece. In my experience, they always seem to be near the cashier. In any case, good luck.

[ June 13, 2004, 03:40 AM: Message edited by: graylx ]
 

---

Posted by graylx (Member # 3919) on :
 
Ok, check out this link. It relates to your question. Apparently, you are supposed to run a colder plug (but you already have a set, which I am assuming is correct for your application. You will probably have to retard your timing a little and gap the plug a little smaller.

http://www.californiafords.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=004845#000001
 

---

Posted by graylx (Member # 3919) on :
 
Yet another link...

http://www.californiafords.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=006368

Some more useful information...

http://www.californiafords.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=003304

And be careful...

http://www.californiafords.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=002238;p=2

Good luck!

[ June 13, 2004, 03:39 AM: Message edited by: graylx ]
 

---

Posted by Sicc98GT (Member # 1862) on :
 
Thanx bro that info will be very useful
 

---

Posted by Sicc98GT (Member # 1862) on :
 
just finished installing all the spark plugs and now my car hesitates under heavy acceleration and i can hear i ticking noise coming from one of the spark plugs. i guessing its not in all the way
 

---

Posted by Sicc98GT (Member # 1862) on :
 
k, i just took out the spark plug that it sounded like the ticking was coming from and made sure it was cool put it back in and same noise, it felt like it went in smoothly, it is the cylinder on the passenger side all the way in the back(the hardest one to get to, go figure)ive never heared that ticking noise before and i know its gotta be why my car is miss fireing, any thing i should do or any suggestions on what it could be. i want my damn car to run correctly!!!
 

---

Posted by graylx (Member # 3919) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sicc98GT:
k, i just took out the spark plug that it sounded like the ticking was coming from and made sure it was cool put it back in and same noise, it felt like it went in smoothly, it is the cylinder on the passenger side all the way in the back(the hardest one to get to, go figure)ive never heared that ticking noise before and i know its gotta be why my car is miss fireing, any thing i should do or any suggestions on what it could be. i want my damn car to run correctly!!!

---

Are all your spark plug wires on all the way? Did you bend the wire boots when installing?
 

---

Posted by Sicc98GT (Member # 1862) on :
 
i made sure all the spark plug wires we in an nice and snug. i dont if this might be affecting anything or not but i noticed one of the spark plug wire boots had a crack in it and i can see the wire trough it, but it was like all the way at the top of the rubber and i just could just see the whole wire and no exposed electrical peices so i thougt it might be ok
 

---

Posted by TRIX02GT (Member # 2844) on :
 
Turn off all the lights in the garage (pitch black) and see if it's arcing.....then you'll know if the crack is the culprit...
 

---

Posted by Sicc98GT (Member # 1862) on :
 
i definatly see a little tiny flash(spark coming from the cylinder with the spark plug wire that has the crack, it is a small ass spark but i can see it. so does that mean i just need to replace the wire and it should be fine?
 

---

Posted by TRIX02GT (Member # 2844) on :
 
Yes probably good idea since that's probably where the miss comes from.

By the way is the ticking sound more of an electrical tick vs. a mechanical tick?

Have you ever removed a spark plug wire w/ the car on and made the spark bridge to just a piece of metal to check the spark....if the sound is similar then you definitely need to replace that wire if not all.


 

---

Posted by Sicc98GT (Member # 1862) on :
 
ive never tried the spark bridge before. but it sounds like an electrical tick, it sounds like when you try to light a bbq and you push the ignite button and it makes that ticking sound
 

---

Posted by TRIX02GT (Member # 2844) on :
 
Lol...yup that's the sound you don't want to hear on a car at idle

Just becareful if you try the bridging technique...as w/ anything!

So go out and change the wire(s) and let us know what happens.

Hope that does the trick
 

---

Posted by graylx (Member # 3919) on :
 
If you have a cracked wire, it is probably better just to replace the whole set. When most do tune-ups, they replace the wires along with the spark plugs and often the cap, rotor, and PCV valve.

The arcing will cause a miss. Good luck.
 

---

Posted by Sicc98GT (Member # 1862) on :
 
thanx for the help guys, i bougth new spark plug wires and changed the one with the arching and now my car is running like a champ
 

---

Posted by TRIX02GT (Member # 2844) on :
 
Good Sh*t!
 

---