TheStigSC

Thanks for sharing that tip with us. Will definitely be useful.

Lifter583

You wont be around anything hot other then engine heat radiating off...the plugs were too warm to hold comfortably...as for stripping the head threads...I applied progressive slow pressure when first breaking the plugs loose...they are spec'ed at 25 ft lbs...I broke them all loose at 28 or less...the spec on the TSB was dont go over 33 lbs due to possible thread damage...by the time i got them completely out the engine had cooled down over an hours time...

Lifter583

All I can say is my friend was definitive about doing it this way and my results were excellent...I hope others have the same result!

SCCAGT

A technician I have at my shop does the same procedure, more or less, and has never had a breakage problem either.

Goldenpony

When I decided to change the plugs in my '06 GT, I first tried with the engine cold per Fords TSB. I couldn't budge the plugs. I decided to just barely warm the engine. I ran it at idle for maybe 5 minutes or less. I shut it off and let it sit a bit. I was then able to get the plugs to begin to loosen. I don't know if I would do it with the engine hot though.

kenthicken

Going to tackle mine this Saturday... have all the tools ready to go, just in case... extractor included.

Sonic Mustang

I'd love to meet the Ford engineers responsible for cylinder heads. It seems nothing has changed since the 3 thread heads on the DOHC 32Vs. ( I got the 9 thread heads on my 2004.Yipee!)

I just love reading horror stories about removing spark plugs. I read them and think, "Should I change my plugs and maybe break something, or leave well enough alone?"

Here's a goddamned suggestion, idiot Ford engineers:

When you have to issue TSBs and technical documents for removing spark plugs and when enthusiast owners post threads titled, "Holy crap! I removed my Mustang's spark plugs without causing $876 worth of damage!" it time to get another line of work.

Sonic Mustang

You have to wonder how Ford's cold engine instructions translate to real life.

Visit your Ford dealer for new spark plugs and leave your car overnight IN THE SERVICE BAY STALL so the engine is at room temperature the next day. (No, you can't leave the car outside, because starting it to move it inside will raise the temp above ambient.) Yeah, that happens.

Lifter583

Good Luck!

Lifter583

The expansion of the aluminum head is greater then the steel of the plug at higher temps...so the plug will naturally be a slight bit looser and the carbon buildup less solid...it seems a plausible theory to me and it worked well in my case...