25K miles...tune up time or too early???

[Mustang5L5]

Car just hit the 28K mark. I've been having some light detonation issues at WOT through 2nd and 3rd gear at the top of every gear. Car is stock and i run 87 octane from different stations

I want to freshen up a few things so what should I do?

I was thinking:

Fuel filter
Plugs (switch to coppers)
clean MAF
clean K&N


WHat else would you do while i'm under the hood? Too early for a coolant flush?

I've heard the fuel filter is a PITA to change on the this year. do i need anything special to do it?

 

[exindust]

Fuel filter isnt hard at all just right next to the gas tank passenger side... but you need a ford tool you can buy from autozone or pep boys to get it off.

BUT, you dont need to change your fuel filter they are good for at least 75k...

Other than that the rest of your maintainence sounds good, possible switch to 89 octane?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Also bleed you brake fluid for sure. Inspect the brake pads while you are there.

If it is an auto, do tranny fluid and filter change. Do not forget to drain the tranny fluid from the TC. There will be a plug in the tranny pan, its normal and you can throw it away.

You should also think about replacing the IAC. It is getting old if it is original. If nothing else spray it out with some carb cleaner.

Wait for the engine to totally cool before doing plugs. When you do the plugs be sure and clean and lubricate the COP rubber boots with silicone spray. Use silicone dielectric compound on spark plug connection from COP spring. Make sure every COP and every fuel injector is hooked back up when you are done.

Clean battery terminals and apply generous amount of silicone dielectric compound to electrical mating surfaces and exposed metal surfaces of battery terminals.

There are great articles at www.bullittarchive.com about a lot of of this stuff including the fuel filter

 

[Kilgore Trout]

BUT, you dont need to change your fuel filter they are good for at least 75k...

That is incorrect, they are good for 30,000 miles only. You are right about the special tool though. It is called a spring lock release tool and is very cheap to buy.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Other than that the rest of your maintainence sounds good, possible switch to 89 octane?

well if this doesn't cure my detonation issue i am going to have to bump to 89 octane.

I just am trying not to since the car should run on 87 and with gas prices the way they are, i would rather run 87.


I am going to do a coolant flush and change the brake fluid as well.

The car is a 5-spd. I am going to hold off on a fluid change because i may be bringing it in to have the 3650 TSB performed.

What is the milage for replacing the differential fluid??

Also, i'm planning on changing to autolite 764 copper plugs. What are the factory plugs? Are they platnium??

 

[Kilgore Trout]

You could do diff fluid at 28k would not hurt. Use 75W-140 synth with friction modifier. Fluid part numbers are in the owner's manual.

Also would not hurt to put on a Gator belt. Keep your old belt and the belt tool in the trunk in case of emergency.

The stock plugs are platinum. I recommend you replace with the copper plug Motorcraft AGSF-32C gapped at .054"

Does not hurt to do coolant.

Again, the www.bullittarchive.com and a Haynes manual will be very helpful for all this stuff.

One more thing, the stock shocks and struts are crap. You could replace all four for around $100 by using Gabriel SVT shocks and struts from AutoZone...

 

[Mustang5L5]

Yeah i've noticed the ride getting a little more stiffer as the miles piled on. When it was new it rode like a caddy, but that changed around 15K miles.

I was debating doing the bullitt kit, and replace the springs and swap bars as well.

 

[bdcardinal]

if you use the Autolite 764 coppers, you are getting the motorcraft plugs. Autolite manufactures all of the motorcraft plugs, just like ConocoPhilips makes motorcraft oil and Purolator makes motorcraft filters.

 

[Mustang5L5]

You could do diff fluid at 28k would not hurt. Use 75W-140 synth with friction modifier. Fluid part numbers are in the owner's manual.

Well i may be doing Cobra disks front and rear over the winter or next spring...so i'll do a fluid change then so i don't have to do it twice

 

[bdcardinal]

when you get the cobra brakes, put in a set of Speed Bleeders. they really make bleeding the brakes a breeze.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Already got them on the Cobra brakes on my LX. They really do make the job much easier.

I have the rear 2300-M kit for the GT all set to go, i just need to buy a Bullitt front kit and i'm set to do the install.