Just did all 8 of mine. SMASHEK's post pretty much summed it up. Those driver side plugs are not that bad. But you are going to need some good eyes, light and some talent for maneuvering tools around in tight places. I'm not a certified auto tech by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm good at figuring things out as much as I hate doing them. On a scale of 1 to 10 difficulty, this is about a 5. Again, those driver side plugs is what make a seemingly easy spark plug change a challenge.
I'm glad Ford is not in the aviation business. I can see them putting airframe support beams blocking the emergency exits and requiring special tools and a tech to remove them so all the passengers can escape. That damn intake plenum could be tidy'd up a bit in design, instead of a sloppy, bulky cast. Then again, I don't understand this 8 spark plug business on a 4 cylinder, what sick maniac designs this stuff????
Driver side plug removal install
# 1 - Easy, if you have the A/C compressor in the way, you will need to assemble the socket to the extension between the head and the A/C aluminum tube.
# 2 - This is where you want to use the regular universal and socket. The angle is a bit steep for the swivel extension.
# 3 - This one is a booger! You will need those long reach pliers to carefully undo the spark plug sleeves. When you unplug them, just let them fall out of the way. Then take your flashlight to view, swivel extension and carefully slide it in between the plenum and feel your way to the plug. My biggest fear was accidentally breaking the blasted spark plug ceramic ends not knowing how badly the plug may have been seized inside the head. The reasoning there is, that spark plug socket grips the ceramic, so if it broke, how the heck am I going to get a grabby tool down in there to a place I can't really see to get the broken spark plug out?!! It took patience to make sure I set the tool correctly on the plug and when I got ready to apply undo torque, not to break the plug! Once you get the new plug in, then you will need those long reach pliers to plug the spark plug wire sleeve back in. It's tricky.
#4 - Same instruction set as #3, but you will need to add another extension on the swivel socket. You won't have to undo that master cylinder vac hose, you can slide the extension along side of it. Removing the wire sleeve and installing will require that long reach pliers. Very tricky angle as well.
And that's all there is to it. It does seem intimidating at first glance, but once you get into it, take your time and it goes surprisingly smooth. This was my first time ever.
Yeah, my engine bay is dirty as all hell, but this is a service truck. It's on the road Mon-Fri non stop.