Changing the Spark Plugs on the ST is the Best Job Ever!

[Keith McElroy 2]

Said no one ever!



Just got finished changing out the spark plugs on my '04 Trac and was amazed at the gap they had. I changed them at 80K and gapped them to around .055. When I pulled them out (at 180K) they were .075. The difference in idle and horsepower are amazing! I had totally neglected changing the plugs until I remembered how many miles they had on them. I changed out the wires while I was already tearing up my hands.



While I had it on jacks, I changed the fuel filter (first time ever - oops!) and the serpentine belt (once again, first time - doh!) However, the serpentine belt had no cracks or abnormal wear - I was just afraid it would snap from age.



To date I have replaced:

1. Lower ball joints twice

2. Upper control arms

3. Shocks (all around) twice

4. Front bearings twice (whomever once said Timkens will be the last bearings you'll put on your trac was horribly wrong - I have a Timken coffee grinder to sell them)

5. Sway bar endlinks (both snapped off, but everyone knows the stock ones are crap)



I am soon turning my Trac over to my 16 yo daughter who absolutely loves it. It costs more to insure her on it, but I feel it is safer than a cheap foreign throwaway.



BTW - This account is new, but I have been around here for years. Unfortunately, I forgot my password on my account and it is attached to an email I no longer have.

 

[Vic Sorlie]

How many transmission fluid services?

 

[Yardsale]

 

[Keith McElroy 2]

Transmission has been checked about a year ago, but was never flushed. Fluid looks good.



The "forgot password" link errored out for me. Plus, it said it was only emailed to the email address on file, which I no longer have access to.

 

[Yardsale]

Send an e-mail. See if they can link you to your previous user ID.

 

[CountyMounty]

I just finished changing plugs and wires on mine as well (@82k miles) and they were all gap at close to .070 or even more I was surprised. It was not a fun or easy job for sure but was actually a lot easier then the last one I did, a Buick Rendezvous, at least you can actually see all them in the ST and the wires are a lot easier to replace. But I kind of went all out when I did mine to make it easier. I jacked it up and took both front wheels and the rubber wheel skirts inside off that way I could see them easy and would work from both above and below depending upon which was easier. It took me maybe two hours overall and far less scraps and scratches then the last one.

 

[Keith McElroy 2]

Nothing like a road test under fire. I drove it a short distance yesterday to make sure it didn't throw a code, but today the Chicagoland area got another 2-4 inches of snow. I had the option to work from home, but couldn't resist driving with the 4WD. So much fun watching the little foreign hybrids in the snow.



thanks for the account tip, I will have to try that.

 

[EddieS'04]

I changed them at 80K and gapped them to around .055. When I pulled them out (at 180K) they were .075.

I always use the motorcraft or autolite double plats'. They tend to not burn the gap away excesivly. I have seen them be only .005 to .008 wear @ 80k miles. The plugs core gets weaker with 80k service. That peice of platinum on the ground portion. Helps maintain the gap though.



This has been my experiance with other fords. When I get to it, I will use double plats in my Trac..

 

[swshawaii]

Motorcraft SP500 Finewire Platinum is still the time proven OEM replacement for Gen 1 ST's.

Autolite APP103 Double Platinum is also commonly used with equally good results.

Thin coat of copper or nickel anti seize on the threads, good for another 70-100K minimum.

 

[Tim OLeary]

Are you suggesting using copper or nickel anti-freeze? is that a product?

Sorry if this is a dumb question

 

[Yardsale]

Not anti-freeze, anti-seize to help prevent the spark plugs from, well seizing in the head. (And it's not a dumb question.)



Question: can lead or Teflon anti-seize be used or is there a problem with these?

 

[swshawaii]

Are you suggesting using copper or nickel anti-freeze? is that a product?

May be the smartest $1.49 you will ever spend. One "counter pack" is more than adequate for a V6 or V8. Torque @ 13 ft/lbs. with .054 gap.

 

[EddieS'04]

Question: can lead or Teflon anti-seize be used or is there a problem with these?

The copper based anti-seize helps maintian the ground, thru the threads. For when the electrode jump the electrical charge to the ground strap......

 

[Yardsale]

Ahh - got it.

Thanks!