UPDATE: taking the plunge. F-150 spark plug change
Original link here for any who are interested.
I started today at 11 am (Sat.). It is now 3 pm and I don't have one plug out yet. After removing a few things for easier access and gathering tools and supplies, I removed the COP's and blew out the holes. Then I shot a short shot of PB blaster in to help ease the looseing. I let that sit for 15 mins then set the torque wrench at 20 ft/lb. No dice. Moved up to 30. Still no joy. Long story short, at 50 they started to cooperate. A couple were way above that, not sure how high, but my experience tells me 70+! Ford says break free torque should be around 33 ft/lb. Uh...NO! Not even close.
After using the "all torque and no horsepower" method of loosening them 1/4 turn, I hosed the bores with about 2 seconds worth of Ford Carb Cleaner and waited about 30 mins. I then set the wrench to 30 and proceeded to loosen some more until they stopped and the wrench clicked. Next I blew out the bores with air and hit it with another 2 seconds of carb cleaner. I'm now eating lunch planning my next move.
I'm guessing all are about 3/4 to one full turn loose, and with my x-ray vision, I think the tip of the plug with all the carbon on it is probably wedged at the mouth of the bore inside the chamber. I'm contemplating screwing them in and trying to come out again, but I don't want to ruin the threads, so not sure. I'm kinda feeling like if they haven't come out by now, they're likely not going to, so might as well go for the gold and see what happens. I might try one with hand tools and one with impact (3/8 butter fly with adjustable air flow). I've seen and hear some folks have great success with this method because the hammering doesn't turn the plug as much as it shocks it, which helps the carbon lose it's grip. Might as well make a science project out of it, eh. Even though some of them jerked and squeeked a little, I don't believe any have broken yet or they'd likely come right out, so I'm operating under that supposition.
Stay tuned for further updates. Prayers welcome.
I started today at 11 am (Sat.). It is now 3 pm and I don't have one plug out yet. After removing a few things for easier access and gathering tools and supplies, I removed the COP's and blew out the holes. Then I shot a short shot of PB blaster in to help ease the looseing. I let that sit for 15 mins then set the torque wrench at 20 ft/lb. No dice. Moved up to 30. Still no joy. Long story short, at 50 they started to cooperate. A couple were way above that, not sure how high, but my experience tells me 70+! Ford says break free torque should be around 33 ft/lb. Uh...NO! Not even close.
After using the "all torque and no horsepower" method of loosening them 1/4 turn, I hosed the bores with about 2 seconds worth of Ford Carb Cleaner and waited about 30 mins. I then set the wrench to 30 and proceeded to loosen some more until they stopped and the wrench clicked. Next I blew out the bores with air and hit it with another 2 seconds of carb cleaner. I'm now eating lunch planning my next move.
I'm guessing all are about 3/4 to one full turn loose, and with my x-ray vision, I think the tip of the plug with all the carbon on it is probably wedged at the mouth of the bore inside the chamber. I'm contemplating screwing them in and trying to come out again, but I don't want to ruin the threads, so not sure. I'm kinda feeling like if they haven't come out by now, they're likely not going to, so might as well go for the gold and see what happens. I might try one with hand tools and one with impact (3/8 butter fly with adjustable air flow). I've seen and hear some folks have great success with this method because the hammering doesn't turn the plug as much as it shocks it, which helps the carbon lose it's grip. Might as well make a science project out of it, eh. Even though some of them jerked and squeeked a little, I don't believe any have broken yet or they'd likely come right out, so I'm operating under that supposition.
Stay tuned for further updates. Prayers welcome.
