Any you V-8 dudes done inserts on all your plug holes as preventative maintenance? I just got my '01 F-150 a few weeks ago and haven't driven it much, but was just wondering. It's got the 4.6l motor, 94,000 miles and the plugs have never been changed. Lots of horror stories on the web about these V8's (and 10's) blowing plugs, but it seems mostly the 5.4l. Sometime over the next few months I would like to replace the plugs, but it seems it's after plug change they tend to blow out.

It hasn't been driven much because it's in the shop getting the old exhaust manifolds pulled off and short tube ceramic coated headers getting installed. Should be done today with any luck.

Thanks.

Frank

 

They don't blow if you torque them down correctly!!! And me and my family has had several 10th gen f150s/expeditions! And have never had one blow one (knock on wood) but yeah we have had over 20. Matter a fact I have 4 in my yard now, But if its not missing, and your still gettin good gas mileage, I would not change them.

 

Torque to 28ft pounds instead of 13 and they will not blow out.

You can put inserts in if you want but it's an extra expense for something that is not guaranteed to happen. If you rely heavily on the truck and could not have it be down for a day or two if one blows out, it might be worth it.

Change the plugs and don't worry about a blow out.

People come to forums to post issues. Think of all the drivers out there that haven't had one blowout? They're not going to sign up to the forum just to say "200k miles, no blow outs".

 

Thanks guys, good advice, but really, I want to change the plugs, coils, and wires. Gee Tackle, torque more than twice specs eh? I can do that. Does it make sense to use Accel coils? What brand of plugs is best?

Thanks!

Frank

 

Yes, 28. The heads can handle it. I torqued my first one much higher as i didn't realize my torque wrench wasn't working at first.

Leave your coils alone unless you're having a misfire. The originals last a long time and aftermarket fail more often.

 

Also, use motor craft plugs. They are cheap and work great.

 

Excellent! Thanks again Tackle.

By the way, I'm leaving in a few minutes to go get the truck with new headers installed!

Frank

 

Spark plugs do not last 100k. It was maintaince plan to get return customers. The reccommended service interval is 50k.

Accel coils are excellent if you need coils. I have MSD's which have right around 100k. They have slightly less secondary resistance to supply a hotter spark. I would run NGK Iridiums as they are cheaper than plugs from Ford.

I dont know how much Motorcrafts are but if your not buying them from the dealer you are getting a rebadged Autolite. NGK Iridium IX are the way to go. The part number is 7164. Around my neck of the woods there are right under $7 a plug where motorcrafts from the dealer are $13.58.

Post pics when you get a chance. And did I mention get NGK Iridium IX plugs?

 

Rockauto. No idea if they are rebadged auto-lites or where you came up with that.

$2.55 a piece.

 

I bought them before thru Carquest and they ohm'd out just like a set of autolites. Motorcraft standards are a 10% difference per batch which is every 1000 plugs produced. I'll stick with my NGK's.