Spark plug changing?

[99XLT-Explorer]

Im brand new to the forum and my 99 explorer with the 4.0 sohc like i said im new to the explorers but not fords. i need some help getting "ALL" my plugs changed lol i got all of them in except for the rear most one on the passenger side. i tried searching it up but couldnt find exactly what i needed. the PO put a set of 8mm autolite wires on it and they seem a heck of alot harder to get off lol but any way any help is appreciated

 

[PJCanadaXLT]

my 98 explorer is a PITA to change the passenger side. i also have the SOHC. the one closest to the firewall is stressful, i took a pair of channel locks or you could probably just use normal pliars, and grabbed the boot with that because it is hard to get a hold of with your hands. maybe youll have good luck with the pliars too.

 

[swshawaii]

Most remove the passenger tire and splash shield to access the #3 plug.
Or lock the steering wheel maximum right and remove from underneath.
Hope you used Motorcraft or Autolite plugs and anti seize on the threads.

 

[99XLT-Explorer]

yea i had to remove the splash shield to get to the 2nd one on the passenger side but i couldnt see how i could get to the 3rd one from the wheel well but it was getting dark and i was tired of dealing with it for the night lol anyway ill try getting it from the underside with the wheels turned... yal wouldnt happen to have any pictures of getting to it would yal? i did use autolite coppers but no anti-seize never used it before

 

[swshawaii]

Or lock the steering wheel maximum right and remove from underneath.

Oops, meant maximum LEFT. Sure you would have figured that out. LOL
Here's some pics:

http://www.mysporttrac.com/mysporttrac/projects/SparkPlugs/SparkPlugsProject.pdf

 

[SoNic67]

i did use autolite coppers but no anti-seize never used it before

So... you do so much work and still use copper plugs that last just one year?
Why don't use as minimum what is recomended by Ford (dual platinums)?
The electronic ignition system (with reversed polarity on half of the plugs) in the Explorer NEEDS that dual platinum.
Personally I use fine tip iridium in all my vehicles, just because they last longer and perform the same till the end of their life.

Also, antiseize is necessary for plugs that have black threads (don't have the protective nickel-based coating).

 

[99XLT-Explorer]

i use the coppers cause they perform better than platinums it doesnt really matter that they only last 1 year cause spark plugs should be changed every year anyway o and thanks for all the help got the last one done thanks to the link swshawaii posted

 

[SoNic67]

1. Copper spark plugs don't perform better than platinum, at the most they are equal when new. Once they start to errode, they are worse. Plus the reverse spark on 1/2 of the cylinders will be weaker and stress the coils.
Fine tip iridium are better than both, due to lower arc voltage requirements.
2. Only the copper plugs need changed yearly. The OE ones (dual platinum) last 100k miles.

 

[FIND]

Copper plugs don't perform better because they are nickle coated, which negates the advantage in conductivity and heat dissipation copper has over platinum. If you want spark plugs that perform better and only last a very short time, you should buy silver plugs.... Iridium plugs are the best performers IMO, because they have an EXTREMELY long life during which they will perform very predictably with little change.

Changing plugs yearly is silly and a waste of money. After 1 year you will have spent what you would on a double platinum that would last 5-8 years, and after 2 years you would have spent what an iridium that will last you 10+ years would cost. Also, spark plugs will never give you an appreciable difference in performance, unless you are comparing some of those stupid split fire or +4 plugs to a regular plug. (pro-tip: the regular ones perform better)

 

[delexploder]

I do agree with the dbl platinum but I have noticed since my state mandated all these aditives the platinum plugs are only lasting about 25k