Changed spark plugs yesterday.

Scothew · 01-31-2005, 10:00 AM

I never realized how having a tighter gap effected the car. When I had the n2o setup on the car, I ran NGK Tr-6 plugs gapped at .030. Now I ran the nitrous really rich for awhile untill I had the correct jets so it probably fouled the plugs some. Well yesterday I pulled the old ones out, they had a brownish tint to the ceramic and the electrode looked charcoalish. These had about 15k miles on them.

I put in new NGK Tr-6 plugs gapped at .045. The car runs much better now and so much smoother through the rpm's. It seems to pull much better and rev alot quicker. Also does not seem to blow any smoke like it was under hard acceleration and doesnt seem to pop and backfire during shifts or decel from a high RPM. Hell I want to go to the track now

Side note: I did find alot of oil in the back 2 drivers side spark plug holes. I am guessing its leaking around the valve cover into the plug hole

Anything I should be worried about? I know some oil got down in the cylinder when i pulled hte plug out. My wrench, the boot and plug came out soaked. The car smoked for about 45seconds after intial crank up i am guessing due to this.

Craig K. · 01-31-2005, 10:05 AM

yeah plug gapping is something you must dial in. I bet you get better milage now as well.

Sendero · 01-31-2005, 10:40 AM

A little oil in the cylinders is not a bad thing, it helps lube the rings!

The Head Cover "Donuts" probably slipped a little to the side where the cover meets the head. Not a big deal unless you start puddling oil up on the spark plugs. Ford makes a gasket kit to replace all the "donuts" and the cover gasket. A lot of people say that the head covers can't be removed with the engine in the car, but they are wrong. I've personally done it twice and got the covers back on without a leak. The Drivers side cover is WAY easier than the passenger side.

Scothew · 01-31-2005, 10:50 AM

So you can remove the valve covers with the motor still in the car.. :Hmm:

Nathan think you could change cams as well? (i'm just curious, and may make another thread)

Sendero · 01-31-2005, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scothew

So you can remove the valve covers with the motor still in the car.. :Hmm:

Nathan think you could change cams as well? (i'm just curious, and may make another thread)

Definately enough room to change cams.

Italian LX · 01-31-2005, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sendero

A lot of people say that the head covers can't be removed with the engine in the car, but they are wrong. I've personally done it twice. . . .

It must be easier than a 99+ car.

Scothew · 01-31-2005, 11:02 AM

i'm guessing you will still have to remove the intake, timing chain cover and all.

Italian LX · 01-31-2005, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scothew

i'm guessing you will still have to remove the intake, timing chain cover and all.

On the 99+ 4V you have to undo the brake pedal and remove the brake boster from the firewall.

. . . and even then, it's still a royal PITA!

Scothew · 01-31-2005, 11:05 AM

what'd you guys do with a 99+ 4v??? Sounds like PITA!

Italian LX · 01-31-2005, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scothew

what'd you guys do with a 99+ 4v??? Sounds like PITA!

Head swap.

01-31-2005, 10:00 AM	#1
Scothew Censored Jihad Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B'ham, AL Posts: 4,108	Changed spark plugs yesterday. I never realized how having a tighter gap effected the car. When I had the n2o setup on the car, I ran NGK Tr-6 plugs gapped at .030. Now I ran the nitrous really rich for awhile untill I had the correct jets so it probably fouled the plugs some. Well yesterday I pulled the old ones out, they had a brownish tint to the ceramic and the electrode looked charcoalish. These had about 15k miles on them. I put in new NGK Tr-6 plugs gapped at .045. The car runs much better now and so much smoother through the rpm's. It seems to pull much better and rev alot quicker. Also does not seem to blow any smoke like it was under hard acceleration and doesnt seem to pop and backfire during shifts or decel from a high RPM. Hell I want to go to the track now Side note: I did find alot of oil in the back 2 drivers side spark plug holes. I am guessing its leaking around the valve cover into the plug hole Anything I should be worried about? I know some oil got down in the cylinder when i pulled hte plug out. My wrench, the boot and plug came out soaked. The car smoked for about 45seconds after intial crank up i am guessing due to this. __________________ Theres only one way to get to Carnegie Hall..... .... Practice.

01-31-2005, 10:05 AM	#2
Craig K. Nothing new here Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Senoia, GA Posts: 2,990	Re: Changed spark plugs yesterday. yeah plug gapping is something you must dial in. I bet you get better milage now as well. __________________ 1974 Triumph TR6 1985 Monte Carlo SS 1986 Mustang GT 2011 KIA Optima GTS

01-31-2005, 10:40 AM	#3
Sendero Im gonna show her my... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere providing FREE tech support. Posts: 4,269	Re: Changed spark plugs yesterday. A little oil in the cylinders is not a bad thing, it helps lube the rings! The Head Cover "Donuts" probably slipped a little to the side where the cover meets the head. Not a big deal unless you start puddling oil up on the spark plugs. Ford makes a gasket kit to replace all the "donuts" and the cover gasket. A lot of people say that the head covers can't be removed with the engine in the car, but they are wrong. I've personally done it twice and got the covers back on without a leak. The Drivers side cover is WAY easier than the passenger side. __________________ I heard it on the internet, so it must be true. "I believe that a person's moral compass can be determined by how he references free men the right to defend themselves." T. Nugent "An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." R. Heinlein "Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience." -Unknown

01-31-2005, 10:50 AM	#4
Scothew Censored Jihad Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B'ham, AL Posts: 4,108	Re: Changed spark plugs yesterday. So you can remove the valve covers with the motor still in the car.. :Hmm: Nathan think you could change cams as well? (i'm just curious, and may make another thread) __________________ Theres only one way to get to Carnegie Hall..... .... Practice.

01-31-2005, 11:02 AM	#7
Scothew Censored Jihad Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B'ham, AL Posts: 4,108	Re: Changed spark plugs yesterday. i'm guessing you will still have to remove the intake, timing chain cover and all. __________________ Theres only one way to get to Carnegie Hall..... .... Practice.

01-31-2005, 11:05 AM	#9
Scothew Censored Jihad Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B'ham, AL Posts: 4,108	Re: Changed spark plugs yesterday. what'd you guys do with a 99+ 4v??? Sounds like PITA! __________________ Theres only one way to get to Carnegie Hall..... .... Practice.