changing spark plugs soon

[Black1987Stang]

its not even going off the ground but i gotcha.

How are you going to do it on the ground? for the plugs take off the air inlet tube and if you still have smog i took off my smog lines (3 connections) its not necesary but i think it makes it alot easier but now i dont have smog so i dont have to worry about it. and i like to put some oil in the filter at least 1/4 just so its got some oil in it but not enough to spill out when i put it back on the block.

 

[HISSIN50]

Either we have another 7 year old member here or he is going to drive the car over a ditch.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Either we have another 7 year old member here or he is going to drive the car over a ditch.

I've done oil changes on the ground before if you drive the car part way up on a sidewalk so that 2 wheels are on and 2 are not. Sometimes it's just easier and quicker to set it up this way but not all of us have a good spot to do this.

 

[Repostyle]

I remember doing my first oil change... the rubber seal on the filter stuck to the block and when I put the new filter on it had two seals which to my suprise worked for about 3 seconds, then I had 5 qts of oil on the floor. My dad was Pi$$ed!!! Anyway, no matter how old you are, you should always know how to do basic maint. on your own vehicle. Taking it to jiffy lube or whatever is easy, but you should know your car. On a 5.0 the filter sits almost flat so priming it could leave a big mess unless your fast and you still have your pan underneath but I don't recommend it since it's just a waste of new oil. As far as plugs, you can get to 7 of 8 without too much trouble, just remove your air inlet tube and mas air (if you have it) and you can get to 'em, #8 is the difficult one (pass. side rear) but just take your time, and start your spark plugs and drain plugs by hand so you don't cross thread. While you have your tools out and your hood open, you might as well replace your air filter (or clean it if it's reusable) and check your hoses and replace as needed and check/replace your surpentine belt.

When I do my maint. here's my list of parts I get:
1. oil
2. oil filter
3. belt
4. fuel filter
5. plugs
6. plug wires
7. distributer cap/rotor

I don't get an air filter since mine is reusable, I just blow it out with air, wash it with water, let it dry then oil it.

just my $0.02

 

[fivespeedsteed]

i can crawl under my car from foglights to rear bumper without any problems, im 17 and not really big for my age. i thought i could just drain the oil out through the 2 plugs then take the filter off? is it impossible to get to this stuff while its on the ground?

 

[bubba-dough]

I don't get an air filter since mine is reusable, I just blow it out with air, wash it with water, let it dry then oil it.

The directions tell you not to use compressed air to keep from damaging the element and/or lodging things in element.

 

[Repostyle]

I guess if you can fit under the car you can do it on the ground, just turn your wheels all the way to the left to get the filter off a little easier. I don't know why you're so against jacking the car up, but more power to ya.

 

[Repostyle]

The directions tell you not to use compressed air to keep from damaging the element and/or lodging things in element.

I don't aim right at the sides, I just put the nozzle just inside the filter and point right at the tip of the cone and don't seal the opening around the nozzle. I also only blow from the inside out, if I'm lodging things in from the inside then I have worse problems than damaging the filter.

 

[88_GT_5_oh]

i change the oil in my tempo, my dad taurus, and our old aerostar (that one had lots of clearance though) all without jacking the car up, int he driveway too. the mustnag is the only car i have HAD to jack up cause its lowered

 

[Repostyle]

Like I said, if he can fit, then go for it, I just can't figure out why he's so set against jacking it up. I've had cars that I didn't have to jack up too, but it sure makes it a lot easier if you do. Even my lifted Explorer I had I still put it in the air to change the oil and stuff, it's just plain easier.

 

[Black1987Stang]

unless ur a midget or something lol jk You will need wheel ramps, curb method, or some jack stands so u can get the front end in the air. Like Repostyle said #8 spark plud is hardest to get to, but if you cant get to it you can remove the smog pump rubber lines. just disconnect it from the one connection at the back of the smog pump and the other sides they connect to the back of the head and to a pipe that goes down to ur cats and you will be able to get to that plug very easy. and remember screw them in by hand first so you know if you cross thread or not, i also dab a drop of oil on the threads of each plug.

 

[fivespeedsteed]

my dad is gay and wont let me under my car unless its on the ground. yes yes, even if its on stands and not jacks. he has one of those dumb metal blocks, ive tried everthing from putting cinderblocks under the car when its up incase it falls(which he is worried about) to digging a hole to drive over. so im left grounded.

 

[DMAN302]

I wonder if this thread will ever die..son the lube shop is twenty buck..save your father the grief...save the engine from the dirty oil and move on. On a good note you can change the plugs and be done with it.

 

[KeithGT]

For plugs, a ratchet, long and short wobble extension and an air tool swivel universal joint are what I use.
I like to put anti seize on the plug threads and dielectrical grease in the plug boots. Dont forget to check the gap on all the plugs and gap accordingly (in case a plug got dropped at the store, etc). Spec is 0.052- 0.056"). And Autolite 25's are for a stock application. I stay away from Platinum plugs on a 5.0L EFI motor.

Good luck. Sounds like it is your first time. Congrats on doing it yourself and dont be bashful about posting if you get stuck on something.

Just wondering why your saying to stay away from Plats. on a EFI motor, ive got a 93 GT and im running AP25's with no probs.....just curious....

 

[bubba-dough]

Just wondering why your saying to stay away from Plats. on a EFI motor, ive got a 93 GT and im running AP25's with no probs.....just curious....

The fox's ignition systems were not designed to run platinum plugs. Platinums were designed for extended life but who wants to put maintenance off that long.

 

[HISSIN50]

Keith, the plats cause *some* folks to get a high RPM misfire and a diminished idle. Since the plugs are so accessible on 5.0L's, I just dont personally recommend the plats.

There are plenty of guys who run them and note no issues - it sounds like you are on of 'em.

 

[Black1987Stang]

my dad is gay and wont let me under my car unless its on the ground. yes yes, even if its on stands and not jacks. he has one of those dumb metal blocks, ive tried everthing from putting cinderblocks under the car when its up incase it falls(which he is worried about) to digging a hole to drive over. so im left grounded.

I wanted to do that too haha, dig a hole in my side yard which is like all weeds anyway and fenced in and no one see it, i hate laying on the ground doing exhaust work and oil changes etc. it would be cool till it rains and it all turns into mud haha

 

[Shadrack]

Just a FYI, the #8 Cylinder is the drivers side, rear. The number #4 Cylinder is the passenger side, rear.

302 HO Engine Specs