Ford: Spark Plug Socket won't grab!

[Alcatraz]

The f***ing spark plug of cylinder 3 is finally out! Man, took me almost all day to figure this out, and I had to buy an endoscopic camera and a set of deep sockets.

After looking into the hole, I saw that cylinder 3 had those thread inserts. Obviously, one of the previous owners had that done. What it looked like was the spark plug sitting on top of a "nut".
[img=426x568]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g245/dr_nelson/Van Build/IMG_0059.jpg[/img]


Whereas in the other cylinders, the spark plug was just sitting not on a "nut":

[img=447x595]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g245/dr_nelson/Van Build/IMG_0061.jpg[/img]

After removing the spark plug, you can see that thread insert:
[img=429x322]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g245/dr_nelson/Van Build/IMG_0071.jpg[/img]

Now, the short coil boot makes sense, because of the thread insert, a different sized spark plug was required.
I had to use a 9/16 deep socket instead of the ordinary 5/8 spark plug socket to remove the spark plug from cylinder 3.
Left: Short coil boot from cylinder 3 with a Motorcraft PZH1F spark plug.
Right: "Normal" coil boot from another cylinder with a Motorcarft AGSF 22 WM spark plug.
[img=443x584]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g245/dr_nelson/Van Build/FullSizeRender.jpg[/img]

But not so fast... I am not done. I have to get that "special" spark plug to finish this job.


Saved some money not seeing a Ford mechanic. But took me all day. At least, now I know how to replace spark plugs on my van. And I do not have that common spark plug issue. I will not have that common spark plug issue. Man, compared to changing the oil on the van... changing oil was such a breeze. No jacking up, no removing plastic covers from underneath... just crawl under there and change the oil and the filter. I think it took me only 15 mins (on other cars, I usually need 40 mins).

Those thread inserts are actually to stop oil from fouling up the plugs, on pistons with oil bad rings. Seems like a cheap and sensible solution to the bad thread design.

 

[dr_nelson]

You been lucky on the Mustang. Occasionally they blow out of the engine when the threads have  been weaken over the years.
I have a 98 Gt convertible and love it.

I love the Mustang, too. Being from Europe I have only owned stick shifts and I got bored with my Corolla beater with an automatic transmission. Although I think Toyotas are great cars and easy to maintian, my Corolla only got louder when I step down on the gas pedal. So, I thought if stick shift, why not a fun stick shift? But I won't be able to drive around two cars, so my Mustang will have to go.