Stumbling under acceleration

[johnwartjr]

96 Limited, stock, around 180k

While at interstate speed, while accelerating, the truck sometimes stumbles.

The plugs and wires are original. I have new Motorcraft parts coming from Rock Auto.

No CEL. I've not touched the plugs as it's been in the family since new, and there are no errors indicating that there's anything wrong with them.

Is there anything else I should be looking at here? At this point, it's an annoyance, but with my luck, since it's getting cold and I have no garage to work on it in, it's gonna get worse...

Trying to get my last few maintenance jobs of the year in before winter. Water pump, hoses, belt and idlers will be this weekend or next, hopefully I can get the plugs and wires the weekend after that.

I've got 3 small kids, so it's hard to get even a half day to work without 'help'. I don't mind letting them help on some things, but some jobs, I just need to concentrate on

 

[colintrax]

180,x.. miles on original plugs and wires and you're asking this.....

 

[johnwartjr]

I'm mainly curious if there's anything else that is worth changing at the same time. It seems like an obvious culprit.....

 

[colintrax]

So you're wanting to throw money at it? Well pcv, air filter, fuel filter. Hell, rebuild the motor, trans, fuel pump, and do some body work.
Get my point, do the plugs. If it's still got a problem then ask whats up
Sounds like thats just the plugs anyways

 

[koda2000]

jeeeese... start with the plugs and wires, but there are so many more things that you need to be doing at 180K (assuming they've never been done) that it's hard to say where to start. PCV, trans service, cooling system service, thermostat, water pump, radiator? diff service, x-fer case service (if 4/AWD), fuel filter, hoses, serp belt, ball joints, control arm bushings, sway bar end links/bushings, tie rod ends, clean the MAF sensor and IAC, replace O2 sensors, air filter, power steering flush, shock absorbers... the list goes on and on.

or just change the plugs (good luck getting them out) and wires and see if it solves the immediate problem and just drive it into the ground.

 

[johnwartjr]

I've done plenty of other maintenance on this truck.. just never plugs and wires!

It's turning into a bit of a money pit. Not as much of a money pit as a car payment on a new SUV, but I am noticing it Sooner or later, I'm going to have a new drivetrain with a dented up, rusty body

This year alone, I've done or had done...

-New hubs
-New fuel pump, filter, tank straps
-New sway bar links in the front
-Brakes on all 4 corners
-Battery
-Blower motor
-A/C pressure switch, recharge A/C
-Repaired the A/C control unit in the dash
-Hood shocks, Gas Cap, 3 oil changes, etc etc etc

Last year, we did the thermostat, spring shackles, a couple brake lines... the thermostat in this thing keeps failing, it's on its 3rd or 4th since new.

The radiator is about 5 years old. It's the 2nd or the 3rd, I'd have to check my notes

Ball joints have been done more than once, tie rod ends I think just once. Again, I'd have to check my notes. I plan to do all 4 control arms in the next 6 months, they aren't *bad* at this time, but the ball joints are not as tight as new.

I have new idlers, new water pump, new hoses and belt to go on it this weekend or next, depending on what else gets in the way.

What I was more looking for was a recommendation that when you do plugs and wires, you should do this or that, because they go together. I've seen that on various cars I've owned in the past.

I do as much of this stuff as I can myself, and have a trusted mechanic that I use when I don't have the tools/time/skill.

But, it appears the consensus is do the plugs and wires, and see where it gets me, so that's what I'll do next, thanks!

 

[funnyfarmcrafts]

Coil pack