Sparkplugs

[Alan]

Got plugs,coils,gaskets to do whole job. New plugs AGSP32F have a washer old ones in car same # dont. Do I use the washer?

2001 3.9 LS
Doing whole job myself. Don't like the intermittent miss that never lasted long enough to throw a code. No good way for me to test the coils,so I'm doing them all. Got parts from parts galaxy online.

 

[02LincLS]

i'd say use it. just do a side by side comparison of the new and old, looking at the distances between the top of the prong and where the plug would bottom on the washer. i just did mine but the washer was there in both cases (NGK's).
either way use the washer if thats what the manufacturer intended- this will just tell if your old plugs were in too far. it also gives good feel for when torquing the plug down. 1/3 to 1/2 turn after finger snug if i remember right. as long as the fingers on the washer crush a little bit, thats tight enough. a little antiseize on the threads will make these come out easy next time and some dielectric grease on the boot to keep it from drying out and you should be set for as long as you own it.
what brand did you get? gap is brand specific (based on electrode material)

 

[Alan]

Thanks.
I bought Motorcraft OEM AGSP32F, they are finewire platinums. They came out of the boxes at about0.040 which is in line with the specified 0.039 to 0.043

 

[camthman]

Thanks.
I bought Motorcraft OEM AGSP32F, they are finewire platinums. They came out of the boxes at about0.040 which is in line with the specified 0.039 to 0.043

mmmmm don't you live motorcraft!

 

[mrzeee]

Yes you MUST use the washer.......lazy assemblers are not even installing the washers on the plugs new in the box anymore!!! So it might have been missed the last change. Check really good to be sure that the washer is NOT still in the hole...2 washers will mess things up.
Max

 

[Alan]

Update

Did the valve cover gaskets,plugs and coils. It took four hours for right side, and about seven for the left. Some of the bolts were a real pain.
Anyway, drove the car today--I didn't remember it was sooooo quick!!!! smooth also.

 

[rickztahone]

11hrs dude? that's a whole-lotta time. at least you got it done

 

[02LincLS]

slow and steady wins that race. it took me about 2.5 hours to do just the 8 plugs without removing anything else - the drivers side sucks. if he had to do it again, it would probably take half the time knowing the method and picking the tools out first shot etc. not that he wants to find out glad its running good now!