spark plugs

veggiemike · Jan 28, 2008

I'm sure you guys will find this pretty noobish... but how exactly am I supposed to go about changing the spark plugs in my '95 5.0? I can't reach my hands in far enough to grab the boots. I can access the 2 frontmost plugs on driver's side, but the rest of them are behind a forest of stuff.

Is there any easy way to get at the plugs? Or do I realy have to take all kinds of stuff apart to get at them?

Mr. OAM · Jan 28, 2008

Sometimes you need a universal joint between your elbow and wrist to get to these things. I don't know exactly what's in the way on your car but realize that someone would change the plugs if you took it to a shop, so might as well force your arm in there. It might cost a little skin but it saves some money.

Have you tried getting to the ones you can't reach from under the car yet? Sometimes you have to go that way.

Steve

veggiemike · Jan 28, 2008

Haven't tried from underneeth yet. I guess I'll order the stuff and just plan on it being a bit of a pain. Unless I find a U-joint for my forearm.

Anyone else? Is changing spark plugs usualy a jack-it-up operation?

95-stang · Jan 28, 2008

The drivers side is fairly easy, if you still have the smog gear the passenger side is a pain.
Usually twisting the rubber boots left to right will free them then pull them off.
If the plugs have been in a while they could be a bit on the stiff side, price you pay with a V engine i'm afraid.

forkliftfixr · Jan 28, 2008

Just a little FYI for you when you finally get everything removed. Use a small dab of silicone dialectric grease on the inside of the boots when you put them back on the plugs, this will make it easyer to remove them next time. Also put anti sieze on your threads of the plugs. Go to Sears or one of your local parts stores, they make a spark plug socket that has a swivel right on it, those make removing the plugs a LOT easyer because then you can just use a long extension. When installing your new plugs........ Take a piece of long rubber hose that fits somewhat tightly around the plug and use that to get the plug started in your heads, then you wont have to worry about stripping the threads. Just take your time..... Might take you a couple hours at first, but youll keep getting faster each time you do them.

Mr. OAM · Jan 28, 2008

Also make sure th engine is completely cooled down before you start. It's not a matter of touching a hot spot as much as it is making sure nothing is expanded because of heat.

Steve