1917-1911M

All of mine have been replaced except #8, the one under the computer. How are you guys getting that one out? Been saving that one for an early morning start. #2, 6 and 7 broke but the Lisle tool makes removal so easy I don't know that I would spend a lot of time or money on cleaner if I had to do it again. I'd just let em break and then pull the bottom out with the tool. M1911

rbailey3711

When I did mine, I disconnected the battery and unbolted the computer from the firewall. You still have to be very careful and have the right size extensions to get into that plug hole. #3 & #6 were the only ones that came out in one piece for me. I know there are other old threads that make suggestions on how to remove the #8 plug. Good Luck and have plenty of band aids around.

1917-1911M

Thanks rbailey..... I lost so much skin under the hoods of muscle cars back in the 60's it's a wonder there is any left. Back then a plug change took ten minutes including gapping the plugs, setting the points or dual points and checking the timing. M1911

redfishtd

2005 lariat 5.4 L -at 80k mi followed tsb and soaked plugs with motor craft carb cleaner for three whole days . Hoped for the best but three plugs broke anyway. I had the lisle extractor ready and got them out. vacuumed piston area out with a small tube to get any bits of porcelain out, it worked too.
Clearly could tell the few that the carb cleaner penetrated . Seafoam did not work at all prior to removal , no way is it going to get that carbon out of that 1 inch space around plug tip.
I am not about to go thru this again so I viewed the shear off test of the champions vs the oem . That convinced me . I still coated the tips with nickle anti seize . Champions have been running good for 40,000 mi now . I feel confident these will come out of there fine . Now for those damn cam phasors. *&###

XJJack

Finally did mine after many months of reading and fear.
Bought the removel tool and went at it.
The only prep I did was drive until hot, cool for about 10-15 min then dig in.
Some of them felt like they did not want to go, but then worked them back in and out until clear.
They all came out in one piece, nothing broke.

Computer side, just remove computer and braket.
Driver side, remove piece on firewall and remove the two bolts holding on a part that conects to the breather hose onto the intake manifold and move out of the way.
Used the 9/16 spark plug socket with a 3" extension then a universal then a 6" extension. Electrical taped this all together and across the universal to help keep it close to striaght and not flop over as easy. For the front 6 plugs, also added one more 3" extension. also use a ratchet with a flex handle. This setup in 3/8 drive then a 1/4 drive setup with 7mm for the coil bolts, with 6" extension.
This was one of the easier spark plug jobs I have done, no more fears.
75,000 miles, the plugs had the outer tips painted with red paint, not sure if that is origonal or if that would mean somebody changed them before I got the truck at 40,000.

djfuzzy

Started this job yesterday, taking my time. Did absolutely no prep work like getting the motor warm, running SeaFoam, etc.

Truck had been parked since Friday of last week, I just began unbolting the computer, the coil packs, air intake. Once I got the coil packs off I sprayed a little PB blaster in the the spark plug holes and worked each plug with 1/8-1/4 turns to let the PB get in there. Let it sit for 10 minutes or so then began working the plugs out nice and slow using a 1/2" socket wrench.

Had one plug on each side break so I did have to use the Lisle tool, but it worked like a damn champ. Broken plugs were extracted extremely easily.

Overall the biggest pain of this job was washing my hands when I was done.

EDIT: also I'll be selling my Lisle tool, the ad is in the classifieds section on this forum.

nufan

found this instructional video, might be helpful.
Wonder if you can rent a Lisle tool?

spotterjoe

Thanks Nufan, the video was helpful. I just bought my 2007 with a 5.4 and 103k miles, so I know whats next.

nufan

Anyone have problems with the Lisle tool stripping? I have seen complaints about it doing so and needing to order a replacement of the the black part.
I wanna do this job, truck has almost 83k on it, but don't wanna get stuck with a busted plug and busted tools.

nufan

better yet, we should have a Spark Plug party and help each other out!