Well, I just hit the big 200,000 ( ). Thought I'd celebrate by changing out my plugs and wires, since they haven't been changed in probably 85,000 miles.

Boy did I have the wrong idea! I got plug 1 changed on the driver's side of my 2.3L, looked at plug 2, and at the manifold that needs to be removed to get to it! I couldn't even SEE plugs 3 and 4 on that side.

Now, I think with enough effort, I can get the plugs on the passenger side changed out. But it still looks like it's going to be a PITA. My old POS toyota was easier then this! What was Ford thinking???

Anyone ever go through the trouble of replacing all 8 plugs? I'm looking at removing the manifold, the throttle assembly bolted to it, and probably about 3 other things just to expose the plugs!

 

im pretty sure your not the first person with a lima to attempt it and hate life while doing it

 

its not as hard as it looks...i changed mine in about an hour without taking off the manifold

you need a long extension and a swivel attachment for your ratchet

take your time and think through it

 

i need to do this to my 2.3 too

 

Get a long extension and some patience. Mine took a few hours as I had no idea what I was doing. But it can be done without removing anything but the intake which is what, 2 screws.

 

Ok guys, I just got in from replacing plugs 1-3 on the passenger side. Any idea what that thing is blocking plug #4? Any ideas on getting around it? Seems to be directly in my way...

 

I want details when you're done, I'll probably have to do this soon enough

 

Alright, I solved plug #4. Just needed a longer extension. Proof that longer IS better.

Anyway... yeah TheStig88, thought that swivel might be needed. I was just in town too. Go figure. I can't even see plugs 3 and 4. This is turning out to be a lot more effort then I thought it would be. Haha.

Well I guess it's off to Menards to buy everything but a swivel attachment...

 

Lol good luck.

I forget how my dad and I did it like 3 years ago.

 

i KNOW that a swivel is needed for #2 on the driver side....i had bought one just for changing my plugs.....3 and 4 just take patience and a LONG extension to reach through the intake....hint: get a spark plug socket that is magentic

 

Be really careful not to snap off the plug when using a swivel extension. Won't be a problem if you're careful, you'll be hunting for ceramic bits in the cylinder or worse trying to easy out what's left of the base if you're not patient/careful.

 

It can definitely be done with out pulling the manifolds, but it can be a pain. It helps to be able to see with your fingers so to speak.

 

i didnt have to remove manifold when i changed mine, i just used universal swivel and extensions, changed no problem..

 

4.0 vs 2.3. Remember how all the plugs on passenger side of your truck where hard to get at? Well all 8 plugs are on the passenger side and 4 are really close to the manifold.

 

Funny you mention that...

First off, finished. Total project time: just over 3 hours, spread across 2 runs into town.

Passenger side: Piece of cake, relatively speaking. Needed an extension for #4 (seriously, I'm curious as to what that thing is that's almost directly in my way). Toughest one was #1 because it was frozen on pretty good, and I needed an odd sized extension (a spark plug socket + 3/4" hex socket proved to be very handy).

Drivers side: Oh dear lord. #1 was easy enough. #2 required the aforementioned swivel/u-joint thing. #3 and #4 both required really long extensions (used 2 12" extensions). And to tie in the comment above, of all the plugs you could break, #4 is definitely NOT the one to do it on! Only half the ceramic base came out with the socket (rubber washer in the socket held the plug by the tail). The rest was laying halfway out of the hole. Had to really contort myself back in there to grab it. Took me 20 minutes of fishing, swearing and hunting to grab it out.

She runs beautifully now. She ran pretty well before, but the idle is definitely a lot smoother. Maybe I should run some seafoam through it to clean out anything left in the cylinders...

 

Good to hear. It's a bit late for seafoam as that should have been run before you changed the plugs as it gums up the plugs.

 

You're lucky! You would know pretty quick if you left any pieces in there when you started it up.

 

It really is not that bad. I swapped out my 95 Ranger 2.3 plugs(88K on the odo) the other day. It took about 45 minutes. All it takes is a 3/8s swivel and a couple extensions. It looked like a Bear but, once I got started I realized how simple it was. No need to remove the intake manifold.

 

Don't you just love how automakers and mechanics work hand in hand. I just did mine not to long ago, went down to the fire house and got the extension, and went to town. Granted, there was a lot of throwing random items around me, punching walls and profanity yelled. But I had a bud who was level headed and mellow who helped me when I had to walk away! Grab a beer, extension, or whatever you need to relax and go at her.

 

Yeah, I did it without taking the manifold off too. Its fairly easy to do once you know how to do it. The first time will seem impossible, but after that you know what to do.

 

THIS MY FRIEND:

Is how ford thanks its customers for years of loyal support...lol...

Warning: This procedure may cause the following symptoms:
Headache, Nausea, Back Ache, Sore and Or Burnt/Skinned up Knuckles, loss of blood, temporary disfigurment, temporary loss of motor skills, frequent shouting of curse words, misplacement of tools, throwing of tools.

The usual outcome?

All changed in less than an hour but plug #3 on driver side.

 

I thought I would do the same and change my plugs since I haven't yet. Plug #1 on the driver side was easy with the right extentions, #2 a bit trickier but not bad with a swivel or a lil imagination using an open end wrench. I'm on #3 and there is some tube freaking blocking it, #4 looks like an a hole and haven't tried it yet. Any tips for the #3 plug? Should I remove the tube?

 

What 'tube' is it? Is it the intake? Exhaust manifold?

 

It's a rubber hose blocking the #3 plug, it's going into the intake.

 

Oh well in that case its most likely a vacuum hose. As long as you get it back on, taking it off would be fine.