1low03gt

Windstang

I changed mine at about 70K (3 years ago) and was lucky that none broke. Replaced with Champion 7989's and they work great. What a gut wrenching procedure though to start breaking them loose and wondering if any are going to break. I took my time and soaked overnight then used a torque wrench to remove them so I wouldn't over torque the plugs and break them off.
I went to Crowfoot Ford (in Calgary) and asked the Service Advisor how much to change the plugs. He laughed (which really pissed me off) and said anywhere from $800 to $1200 depending if any broke and that probably a few would break. Then I started thinking about it and thought that there really was no incentive for them to take it slow and try not to break any - because they would just get to charge more if (and when) any broke. Glad I built up the intestinal fortitude to do it myself. Got the plugs from Rock Auto, put anti-seize on them and they have been great ever since. I took the car in for the air bag recall and of course the SA recommended that the plugs be changed - "we want your money!!!". You guys are right in your feeling about no support from Ford for their crappy design. Same with the hood lip corrosion issue and the PTU in other vehicles. Design & build something something that is poor and prone to failures and charge for customer. Quite a business model!

StickorNothing

Nice work! How did you soak the plugs? I've heard that some people crack them loose and then soak them with carb cleaner.

Windstang

I wasn't in a hurry. I removed the COP"s and sprayed some de-carbonizer (sorry I forget what the name of it was - carb cleaner works - anything that says dissolves carbon - could have been PB Blaster too) into the hole where each plug was and left it overnight. I filled the hole quite full. I figured some would evaporate, but hoped that some might find it's way down the spark plug. Then in the morning I took my torque wrench and broke the plugs loose - maybe a 1/16th turn - just a crack and let them sit again for a few hours with more carbon degreaser and let it soak in further. I think the torque setting was about 55 ft lbs (but best to look it up to see the torque that will break the plugs). I used the torque wrench so I didn't over-torque them and break them off. Then I turned them out a bit more and used a tighten/untighten back and forth procedure to 'work' them out. They squealed alot. Sounded awful. Fortunately it worked for me.
After all the plugs were out, I put a towel over the cylinder heads on each side and cranked the engine for a bit to blow out any liquid that might have remained in the cylinders because I didn't want any blow out liquid all over the engine, hood or fenders. I was careful not to put any anti-sieze on the tip of the new plugs - only on the threads and the snorkle (from the threads to the tip).