changing SOHC plugs-is it just me or..

[BajaXplorer]

Man that was a complete b**** of a time on the passenger side. Even with the inner fender line out and the wheel off, you still need to have child size hands to get in there. My hands are swollen and cut to crap.
I also broke an original plug wire and had to jam around at 5pm on a Sunday to find a wire to replace it. Im putting new wires in today and putting dielectric grease on the inside of ALL the boots so they actually come off easier the next time. Im pretty sure these were the original plugs/wires on here at 50K.

I always do all the work on my cars, but I might have Ford do those plugs next time! Its almost worth it!

 

[flatlander]

It is for sure a fun job. I just changed mine this past weekend for the first time so needless to say my hands are all cut up aswell. It was easier to change my buddies plugs on his 95 mustang then it was on my explorer.

 

[cnapierala]

I just changed mine too and lets say that i was really not too excited about it.

 

[BRacing]

what's wrong?

I really didn't find it too hard. Sure, it was a little difficult, but not so hard that a shadetree mechanic can't do it. I just did mine, and it went very smoothly. The passanger side was a little hard to get to, but i only needed a couple different extentions to get it just right.

If you want to talk about difficult, try the Thunderbird Super Coupes. The shop i worked at wouldn't take them.

I've also had MANY cars that needed to have the engine lifted out to pull the plugs. Mostly older muscle cars and hot rods. A truely difficult routine, especially when done on a weekly basis.

Costco had Mechanic's gloves on sale, $20 for 2-pair. A great investment for those that their hands in places that hurt. The fit great, protect well, and are made to last.

 

[Lifted95X]

I have changed mine twice and they are a real PITA. Both times I ended up breaking some of the wires, silicon, boot puller....still broke.

 

[BajaXplorer]

Mechanix gloves are great when you can fit your hands into tight places but that area was WAY too small even for the Mechanix gloves.

I still cant find a decent set of plug wires. I bought a set of Borg-Warner @ PepBoys yesterday and they dont have the hold down clips that the OEM wires have (they arent removable) so the new wires slip off the coil pack!!!

I may have to break down and get the OEM wires from Torrie for $ 40

 

[Dannyboy]

I agree, this sucks. My biggest help was the 3" body lift, this made it way eaisier to get into that panel. It is screwy, hey at least we aren't tricking out aerostars, a mechanic told me their "booked" time on this is an 8 hour project.. how many aerostars do you think are running on one set of plugs for life?

 

[Lemondrop]

Im really looking foward to changing the plugs on my 5.0 , Ill have to post some pics of it once my digital camera gets here . I bought it wrecked and Im repairing it . The one guy who has the wreck/"she's alive" pics is close to what mine has , but not as bad . it didnt bend the inner fender panel , just a slight bend to the core support which Im in the process of replacing as soon as I find a good used one . Ford wants 175 for it , and used it's 100 . Another week and Im giving up and buying a newbie from Ford .
Ive looked at the plugs on my 5.0 and it scares me
Worst Ive ever changed were on a 1989 Chevy beretta . The back plugs were murder !
My old 1994 splash , the rear plug on the pass side was hard also , but not too bad . It was a 4.0 . After the crash the plug I had changed just a week before was sticking straight up in the air in the engine compartment . The truck was hammered pretty hard , but what do you expect for a near head-on at 70 MPH .