I have a 97 4.6L and I want change plugs;
I see lots of opinions from experts and slugs.
Do I coat plug threads with antisieze or not?
Or just install clean and hope there is no rot?
I don't need guesses...just solid advice.
If you steer me wrong it will not be nice.

oh...and what say you Jbrew? Could use you to chime in here.

 

I can tell you what Brew will say. Gap at .054, Torque them to 28 foot pounds, and call it a day.

 

I use heat resistant anti-seize on plug threads, never had a problem and it goes many years between attention.

 

Fixed it for ya'

 

I said dry above that....

But yeah, Brew would say that too. Thanks,

 

Not a good choice on aluminum heads. The anti-seize makes threads less restrictive, thusly you put more pressure on the plug, which can pull the threads up a bit (aluminum remember). This will cause the support to weaken, which also can cause the plugs to blow out on the Modular engines. Most only have 3-4 threads available to grip anyways, until the late 2003 and up 2v's became 8 threads per hole.

NO ANTI-SEIZE on plugs to Ford aluminum heads.

 

I can tell you it works on BMW motorcycle heads for 39 years. Going in is fine and less prone to any seizing coming out. I've tried it without and one of them put up a struggle coming out. And a Hyundai for 13 years. It works for me but I haven't worked with enough engines to tell anyone else what to do.

 

This topic had become a hot button issue but I am going with the advice of a few in this forum and not use it. I have the motorcraft plugs that have been recommend. It is funny, I do most of my own work but I laugh at myself at being hesitant to change these spark plugs. One would think changing plugs is child's play. However, this is my first F150 and I wasn't aware of the tread issues until right after I bought it.

 

Using the aforementioned method, mine was done 5 years and 40,000 miles ago.

Motorcraft all the things (like you are), and you'll be in great shape.

 

I'll restate it again. NOT ON FORD modular 2V aluminum heads. Maybe on other brands, but with the small thread that we have to use, it only harms the threads. There is a TSB on this somewhere, where Ford says not to use any additive on the threads in the modulars motors prior to a certain date in 2003. I'll see if I can find it in my books.

Later 3V's, Ford suggests Anti-seize, just not on the Gen 10 modular motors.