My Mark VIII is (unofficially) out of business

[94m5]

You couldn't be more wrong.

I've found plugs working loose on 2valve and 4valave Ford's.

I had fixed one plug hole in my old 98. 3 weeks later I had another blow out of a different hole. I've concluded that most of the engines with loose plug threads are a result of over torqued plugs upon replacment.

Generally when one is loose, most if not all the others are suffering as well.




Fwiw, there is nothing that can go wrong with this repair when following the directions.

I've used my kit on 5 different MarkVIII's, 3 mustang GT's, a multitude of F150's and a few V10 superduties. (Including my old 99)


Do it once and be done with it.

This is my honest time proven and experience driven opinion.

 

[LowLincoln]

It is very different to say I plan to do all of the spark plug threads on a head that is off and intended for high performance use. Than to do it as preventative maintence on a running car. The odds are overwhelmingly against this ever happenning to another cylinder. There is much more risk of something going wrong doing it.

If you look at 94m5's link, he said he blew two of them out. This scares me - paranoia is kicking in

 

[jake_black94]

If nothing else, make sure all your plugs have anti-seize on them and are at the proper factory torque setting. That should reduce your risk of this happening again - but, if it does, you'll already have the timeserts at your disposal. Just my $.02

 

[Hot*Mk8]

I can also say that after letting a small valve cover gasket leak on the 98 become a pretty decent sized one, the driver's side plug closest to the firewall was hanging on by maybe two threads because the oil had loosened it. It also seems like this particular coil and plug are much more susceptible to moisture damage. I think I got REALLY lucky that I just happened to buy new plugs for this car, discover the big leak and get it repaired right away. No damage done. Phew...

 

[LowLincoln]

I can also say that after letting a small valve cover gasket leak on the 98 become a pretty decent sized one, the driver's side plug closest to the firewall was hanging on by maybe two threads because the oil had loosened it. It also seems like this particular coil and plug are much more susceptible to moisture damage. I think I got REALLY lucky that I just happened to buy new plugs for this car, discover the big leak and get it repaired right away. No damage done. Phew...

Yeah, it does get a little wet in there now. I really want to tear it apart to change those gaskets and spark plug hole o-rings but for the moment, it's my only car and I have to work 5 days a week.

Hopefully I will resuscitate the TBird and bring her back from storage that is 40 miles from here (where I used to live).

 

[LowLincoln]

A little update:

I received the kit a few hours ago and I've been working on the car since. I was EXTREMELY slow, making sure I did everything correctly because you really only have one chance at inserting the inserts (one way ticket). I think I did it all right.

Car started up, with an initial sputter probably from all the old fuel and wd40 that got caked onto the piston but slowly smoothed out. Idle is good so far, so there's definitely no broken rods!

Now, it's time to give her a test drive to make sure all is well. I'm not feeling the relief just yet.

On a side note, I had changed the oil pressure switch the same night I discovered the plug had popped out but never found out if that fixed the massive oil leak. We'll see tonight.

 

[Pantera1973]

Well, how'd the Test Drive go?

 

[LowLincoln]

Everything's good to go :dancefool


I won't be able to keep that $380 kit around though. It will be up for sale soon if anyone on here needs it.

 

[Don Pfau]

Congratulations. Alway happy to see think work out well.

 

[Right on the Mark]

Everything's good to go :dancefool


I won't be able to keep that $380 kit around though. It will be up for sale soon if anyone on here needs it.

Did you hit the "Thats easy" button?

 

[LowLincoln]

 

[DieselDan]

See what kind of heartache assuming causes? You almost threw an engine at your car. If you would have listened to most of the comments, you would possibly be in the middle of an engine swap right now. I am very glad you were able to fix your car with minimal work.

 

[LowLincoln]

Yea, I'm really happy it wasn't something worse. I wrote this thread in a pure panic mode, assuming the worst. I'm usually pretty good at diagnosing drivetrain problems but inexperienced at actually tearing down engines and trans. I'm also a pessimistic SOB. LOL

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Yea, I'm really happy it wasn't something worse. I wrote this thread in a pure panic mode, assuming the worst. I'm usually pretty good at diagnosing drivetrain problems but inexperienced at actually tearing down engines and trans. I'm also a pessimistic SOB. LOL

I think we've all been there.

 

[slowmkviii]

Good to here the cars back on the road.

 

[dnsherrill]

glad you are running strong again!

 

[ford nut]

Cool.

Good Job!

 

[LowLincoln]

Thanks guys. I've put in about 2 hours of driving since last night and all's well.


On a side note, seems that the nasty oil leak I have may be the oil filter adapter gasket after all That's another story.

 

[ford nut]

Another story, but yet another common one.
Make sure its not the oil sending sensor.

They go bad they bleed like a stuck pig.

 

[LowLincoln]

Another story, but yet another common one.
Make sure its not the oil sending sensor.

They go bad they bleed like a stuck pig.

Yeah, I replaced it the same night I found out the plug popped out of the head. Made no different. I till get a fresh stream of oil on the ground when backing out of my parking spot when the engine is still cold.

 

[dnsherrill]

what caused you to presume it was not the oil fltr adpt gask initially?
I just replaced mine, and some radi hoses/therm; gonna fill everything and test tomorrow; hoping it's dry!

 

[94m5]

I may be interested in buying that kit Saggy.... shoot me a PM.