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4.6 Spark Plug Wires Routing? Advice!

  • Thread starter Thread starter soonerfever
  • Start date Start date Jan 29, 2007
S

soonerfever

New Member
Jul 25, 2006
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Jan 29, 2007
#1
  • Jan 29, 2007
  • #1
I have heard from several people that 4.6 spark plugs wire have to be routed a special way. Example #2 can't be next to #4. I wasn't told what order they have to be in so I wasn't for sure if it was true. I just got a 98 GT and I am changing the plugs and wires and just wanted to make sure.

Also is there anyway to change the plugs without pulling the fuel rails?

Thanks guys.
 

kid rock

New Member
Jan 24, 2006
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THE 51ST STATE!!
Jan 29, 2007
#2
  • Jan 29, 2007
  • #2
7 of them maybe yes! the passenger rear.........no way thats a pain in the ass!



d/c the fuel rails will help loads! but i am interested in this whole routing thing, anybody got anything else??
 

EDGE Motorsport

Member
Sep 24, 2004
561
2
19
Saleen S281, London, UK
Jan 29, 2007
#3
  • Jan 29, 2007
  • #3
i changed all of my plugs without pulling the rails, just need some time to get to that rear one...
 
B

bdcardinal

tree hugger
Jun 10, 2003
3,612
16
69
santa barbara, CA
Jan 29, 2007
#4
  • Jan 29, 2007
  • #4
its so much easier to not take the rails off. i have it down to about 20mins from opening the hood to starting the motor.
 

d98gt

Founding Member
Mar 14, 2002
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SE Texas
Jan 29, 2007
#5
  • Jan 29, 2007
  • #5
Are you talking about from the coil packs to the plugs
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Jan 29, 2007
#6
  • Jan 29, 2007
  • #6
Plug Wires? I don't need no stinkin' Plug Wires...
 

Tally_4.6

Member
Feb 26, 2006
195
0
17
Orlando
Jan 29, 2007
#7
  • Jan 29, 2007
  • #7
Pulling the fuel rails, are u insane?? No don't do that. When doing plugs and wires do them one at a time, and start from longest to shortest. In doing so clean the plug wells out with compressed air.
 
S

soonerfever

New Member
Jul 25, 2006
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Jan 30, 2007
#8
  • Jan 30, 2007
  • #8
Yes I am talking about from the coil packs to the plugs. The is separate from the firing order of course. This could be a myth as well. I am just wondering if anybody has heard anything like this. One of the guys I heard this from is a Ford Tech so that makes me wonder. Supposedy if certain wires are next to each other (say #2 and #4) then they will arch with each other. You would have to separate #2 and #4 by putting #1 or #3 between them. I don't know.

As far as the plugs I have got #4 out (pain in the butt) now I am having problems with the rest. Need a good solution, hopefully without using a u-joint socket.

Thanks guys.
 
B

bdcardinal

tree hugger
Jun 10, 2003
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santa barbara, CA
Jan 30, 2007
#9
  • Jan 30, 2007
  • #9
i always use the clip things when i lay out spark plug wires. as long as they dont touch you are ok. Ford Racing sells some in different colors for larger wires. if needbe make note of how the stock ones are routed then copy them.
 
B

blubullett

Member
Jun 22, 2006
535
6
18
Modesto, CA
Jan 30, 2007
#10
  • Jan 30, 2007
  • #10
Take off your fuel rails? Get a long extension (i think i use a 12" and sometime add a 6" to it) and a swivel (i dont think you even need one) but if you cant get them out without taking off your fuel rail you should let someone else do it for you.
 

GDawg

Founding Member
Mar 22, 2002
1,469
19
68
Nevada
Jan 30, 2007
#11
  • Jan 30, 2007
  • #11
Never knew you couldn't put one by a certain other... I've always just laid them down in the looms where they are in a ascending order of length. They seem to route only one way. As far as touching they seem to no matter what where they cross over.

My MSDs with my supercharger...






My FRPP on my NA...





As far as changing plugs... no need to remove anything except whatever is covering the last plug on the driver's side. A good swivel head attachment, socket with duct tape on your socket to extension will help tremendously.
 

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d98gt

Founding Member
Mar 14, 2002
4,505
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204
SE Texas
Jan 31, 2007
#12
  • Jan 31, 2007
  • #12
You mean passenger side Gdawg

That damn bracket/cover is right in the way when it comes to that plug
 

GDawg

Founding Member
Mar 22, 2002
1,469
19
68
Nevada
Jan 31, 2007
#13
  • Jan 31, 2007
  • #13
d98gt said:
You mean passenger side Gdawg

That damn bracket/cover is right in the way when it comes to that plug
Click to expand...

You are correct Sir... that is what I meant. :SNSign:
 
S

soonerfever

New Member
Jul 25, 2006
47
1
0
Jan 31, 2007
#14
  • Jan 31, 2007
  • #14
Here is what I was talking about. I came across this in another thread. This is what they stated:

"When a spark plug fires, it creates a great deal of radio frequency interference (RFI). Uncontrolled, this can show up as static in the radio or other electronic devices, or much more seriously, in electronic ignitions, fuel injection, and engine management systems. This interference with EFI and engine management systems can cause "cross talk" between wiring harnesses resulting in poor running, misfiring and decreased performance."

"...many manufacturers recommend wires be replaced when the resistance exceeds 20k ohm/meter. This does not leave much margin for wear when the wire may only meet original standards at the very early stages of its life."

This doesn't tell you if you should rout them a certain way though.
 
2

2002GreyGT

Member
Jun 10, 2003
481
0
16
Raleigh, NC
Feb 1, 2007
#15
  • Feb 1, 2007
  • #15
Aren't all wires covered in rubber which is an insulator so they should never spark across unless there is a cut in the rubber.

As far as some RF being created some how, if you are worried you can buy some 3M copper EFI tape that will block almost any RF, we use that tape to seal RF leaks in the screen rooms at work.

~K
 

fast97gt

Active Member
Jan 2, 2007
1,082
2
49
north carolina
Feb 1, 2007
#16
  • Feb 1, 2007
  • #16
just put the wires back were they came off at and as for the plugs no the fuel rails dont need to come off use a 3/8 swivel after the plug socket and a 6in or longer extension. i changed my plugs only, tuesday nite 3hrs. after having a tooth pulled, it took me all of about 10mins incuding the one on the pass. rear so go for it
 
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