Sharky

I went with Vortech bacause they could have the gapper at my door about the time I woke-up the next morning. I won't tell you what I paid for shipping.

RedDragon777

next day air on something like that, i do not think i want to know lol

281GT

Nice write up and photos. I found these cars and the absolute easiest things to change plugs on I have ever seen. Compared to the old stuff these cars a breeze to work on.

Bullitt995

Do yourself a favor and buy a 9/16 spark plug socket. Makes getting the plugs out MUCH easier.

Sharky

amen to that!
9/16 IS the way to go.

ttbit

I had a VR4. Fun job...especially when you hear a ting ting ti ting after lifting the intake.

Good write-up Sharky. That is the first time I have seen the plugs for these cars. Very odd. My old plug gapping tool is worn out anyway.

randy_tho

Yeah there are places on those cars where if you drop something it will never be retrieved. The intake runners are an especially bad one.
Compared to a 3S the Mustang looks to be a (many) step down in the maintenace difficulty department. I can't believe the simplicity in replacing the fuel filter. Were you on 3si.org?

So the 9/16" plug socket is just a different size than what a normal plug socket would be? (The standard size escapes me.) I read that it was special for the Fords.

ttbit

9/16" usually makes the difference. I have used it as a 14mm many times too.

I was on 3si and actually, the ttbit is from Twin Turbo bitten (got the bug). I kept the handle figuring I would twin turbo my '95 Mustang GTS, but ended up with a twin screw. If my posts are still there, I was one of the early ones to rip into and repair the 5 spd transmission. Darn output shafts! Knoxville was a hot spot for tech write-ups on those cars. I had quite a few quirky problems with the car and was very happy when I got back into Mustangs as they are much "simpler". Then again, this 3V beast is quite a bit more complicated than my '95 302 powered Mustang was.

Sorry to side-track.

randy_tho

I just went and read some of your posts on there. A 3S is a good car to learn how to work on cars. You can't get much more difficult.

So apparently a 14MM deep socket can be used instead...

I'll remember this thread in about 60-80,000 miles when it gets time to replace plugs.

Bullitt995

The point would be that it would be a spark plug socket meaning it has the rubber insert that pulls the plug out for you and you don't have to shoot it out with compressed air, sending debris flying all over the engine compartment.

ttbit

Oh Lord...so did I.

I usually just use a small piece of tape on the socket to "tighten" up the fit to pull the plugs out. I lost the rubber inserts on my spark plug sockets several years ago. I like the idea of using a rubber hose to thread it back in too. Can't be too careful with these heads.

Bullitt995:You going to leave that signature?

Bullitt995

Yep, It's one of the funniest things I've read on here. Makes me laugh when people can't understand the difference between your and you're. Those three words are oozing with irony.

randy_tho

I never thought about trying to use anything other than a spark plug socket. I just didn't realize that there was one made specifically for the Ford engines.

NickDC123

Thanks for this thread ... I got all 8 of mine out w/o problem thanks to all the advice. I got the Champion plugs (b/c they are 1-piece) and she started right up. Even seems peppier. Only thing to watch is that you need 2 ratchets .... 9/16 to get them out but 5/8 to get the new ones in ... kind of a pain. Thanks again, all!!!