If you can't get the new one to thread properly or get the proper torque amount, which ford has changed to a higher ft/lbs than original (I'm sure someone will be along soon with the updated proper number) than you will need a helicoil or timesert to fix it. More people recommend the timesert over the helicoil tho

 

no clue what that is but no that's an original plug before the plug redesign ( more threads on the plug ) torque them to 28ft pounds dry no anti seize or anything.

 

Should I try to just thread in a new plug and see if it gets tight?

 

yes haha I think it will. That's some sorta clip or something. Normally if a plug blows out it'll be a long plug like the 3v 5.4's use like this

 

yes

 

OMG guys it's ok. False alarm. I thought my worse nightmare was coming true. Thank you through this tough time. It threaded!!!!!!! Seriously I almost cried.

 

like I said torque them down or it will come true. Haha I think it's snug then to about the 3 or so position on a clock from the 12 o clock position. then that's about 28 pounds.

 

my torque wrench wont fit in there but i feel confident that they are tight. I hand tightened them and then gave them a good hard last turn until it stopped.

 

That gap!

 

Doesnt seem possible to have gap that large without bending the ground electrode.

It would be into the insulator or whole ground electrode gone, or both.