Spark plug replacement

[4S50]

At 96k miles I decided to replace the sparkplugs. The passenger side plugs were easy to get to, but had to remove the upper portion of the intake manifold to get to the driver side bank. It took most of an afternoon and an inch-pound torque wrench. The original plugs were significantly eroded and I am wishing I had replaced them at about 80k or so.
With the new plugs I regained about 2-3mpg overall! Oh, and I also replaced the PCV valve, which was really simple.

Sponsored

 

[Hootbro]

I did the same on my 2020 JT. Not a hard job but tedious.

Did you put OEM replacements back in?

 

[Brahmajoe]

At 96k miles I decided to replace the sparkplugs. The passenger side plugs were easy to get to, but had to remove the upper portion of the intake manifold to get to the driver side bank. It took most of an afternoon and an inch-pound torque wrench. The original plugs were significantly eroded and I am wishing I had replaced them at about 80k or so.
With the new plugs I regained about 2-3mpg overall! Oh, and I also replaced the PCV valve, which was really simple.

How does that valve come out? I didn’t know which way to twist it

 

[ShadowsPapa]

How does that valve come out? I didn’t know which way to twist it

From the pic, looks like after you disconnect the quick-connect, it's a counter-clockwise turn??

 

[4S50]

Yes, counter clockwise as I recall and maybe a quarter turn. There is a bolt near it that I guessed was a pinch bolt so I loosened it before trying to twist out the PCV. I replaced the sparkplugs with Autolites.

 

[4S50]

Also, although the PCV had the same part number, the new one had a smaller orifice.

 

[Brahmajoe]

Also, although the PCV had the same part number, the new one had a smaller orifice.

Yea I heard they changed it, I want the new one I think there might have been leaks and even a tsb on the older one

 

[Brahmajoe]

Yes, counter clockwise as I recall and maybe a quarter turn. There is a bolt near it that I guessed was a pinch bolt so I loosened it before trying to twist out the PCV. I replaced the sparkplugs with Autolites.

After all that work I don’t think you want to have a ford spark plug

 

[legacy_etu]

Also, although the PCV had the same part number, the new one had a smaller orifice.

Wow, nice to see something made in the US.

 

[Kevin_D]

After all that work I don’t think you want to have a ford spark plug

Ford owned Autolite from 1961-1973.
It’s currently owned by FRAM.

Kevin

 

[Gren71]

This has been weighing on my mind a bit. At 81,000 miles i have been thinking it’s about due.

whats given me pause is that its cold out, which is bearable, just unpleasant and doesn’t make me want to do the work. I also have a set of RIPP coil packs ive been sitting on for a year or so. Still not positive i want to mess with them.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Ford owned Autolite from 1961-1973.
It’s currently owned by FRAM.

Kevin

Autlite has a varied history as well - Prestolite/Autolite, all go back to self-igniting torches and such.
I've done some restoration work on Ford parts from the early 1960s - and some have Autolite, then some have Presolite and Autolite stamped, and some have only Prestolite.

Prestolite was an independent company.

In some cases, companies only split off parts of themselves - divested themselves of only certain products, etc. but otherwise maintained an identity of their own.

This has been weighing on my mind a bit. At 81,000 miles i have been thinking it’s about due.

whats given me pause is that its cold out, which is bearable, just unpleasant and doesn’t make me want to do the work. I also have a set of RIPP coil packs ive been sitting on for a year or so.

Skip the coil packs, IMO.
I'd do the plugs for sure - but not when it's COLD out. You're dealing with "plastic" parts and low torque values in some places.

 

[Gren71]

@4S50

what prompted you to replace your PCV valve?

@ShadowsPapa

thats where ive been leaning with the coil packs. They’re really meant for a super charger anyway (as far as i can tell at least) I’ll probably out them up on the marketplace

 

[Snake Eyes]

SPs are such a pain the ass now to do. Time consuming. I remember it was so quick and easy on my dads ’68 mustang. In fact my dad had me doing them when I was an about 12 since it was so easy on those cars. There are things I miss on old engines.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

SPs are such a pain the ass now to do. Time consuming. I remember it was so quick and easy on my dads ’68 mustang. In fact my dad had me doing them when I was an about 12 since it was so easy on those cars. There are things I miss on old engines.

LOL - and there are things I don't miss about the old engines - Cobra, 429 with headers as I recall. Raise car, unbolt engine mounts, loosen any wires or hoses that may interfere with lifting the engine so you can get to the spark plugs. A good half-day job.
On the other hand, my 73 Javelin with headers, etc. (sitting in my shop now waiting for my back to get good enough I can finish swapping out all the glass for tinted and put the dash back in) - I can actually see and reach the spark plugs to swap them out in minutes with basic tools.
80s Honda timing belt - take apart part of the left front suspension if I remember it correctly, and the left engine mount, to get the belt out and the new one in.
1970 AMX 390 valve seals - quick job, no big deal, no need to even take the heads off. Same for the SBC from that era.
Valve cover gaskets on the big block MOPAR IHP cars - exhaust manifold wrapped upward and almost against the valve covers, burning the gaskets and causing oil leaks when the troopers were chasing the bad guys. Fun getting those valve covers out and back in with new gaskets and now displacing the gasket on the way back into place.
NOT looking forward to spark plug replacement on my JT or my wife's GC when it's time but knowing her, she'll trade it before that's ever needed anyway - maybe not, though - she doesn't like the new Grand Cherokees.

Sponsored