maintenance

[BurningRubber]

GettinThere:

Thanks for the props and also for the reference on the Motorcraft plugs, I did not know their part numbers.






As stated above Motorcraft = Purolator. Napa = Wix, so on. I am not sure about the Pennzoil/Fram connection, but if theres any truth behind that avoid them.

I used Autolite copper plugs for my first change. There were Platinum Motorcrafts in there before, and they were definatly beyond their life span. Probaly the origional damn plugs...

When I pulled the coppers out, they had right at or just over 30k on them. The gaps hadnt opened up too much and they werent entirely worn out. I would suggeset every 30k to replace them.

I put in a set of Irridium plugs, I beleive they are Autolites as well. They seem to be doing fine so far.


For the tranny fluid dont use use regular ATF. Either get what Ford specifies or something similar, as in another Synthetic ATF fluid. Like GettinThere said he uses Mobil 1 also. I was satisfied with using the Mobil 1, and will use it again.



Also you should be using 5w20 oil if you are is a 2001 or newer.

 

[GettinThere]

GettinThere:

Thanks for the props...

No problemo, now get back to work...

 

[GettinThere]

I have got 56K just bought it so im not sure what maintenance the previous did or did not do.

So anything else I should look at or change?

Yes, there's a lot you should do. Assume nothing's been done. Get a Ford Scheduled Maintenance booklet and a Haynes manual if you don't have them already. Among other things, you should change the fuel filter, flush and fill the coolant, check and/or replace the serpentine belt and the upper and lower radiator hoses, and clean or replace the air filter.

 

[Jbauer]

pennzoil and fram are exactly the same..Jiffy lube which also uses penzoil exclusivley, also uses fram.
The problem with fram is the paper end caps, and low quality, not backed up by a low price.

 

[R.J.]

If you call Tremec they will tell you that they recommend (in this order) 1. any (your favorite brand) regular ATF Fluid 2. Mobil 1 Syn (as the tranni gets older) 3. GM Syncromesh (for noisy tranni's)

 

[Mustang_GT_02]

I checked my builders sheet it says I have the 3650 trans, I dont see why I need to buy a manual other cars ive had just ask a question on the forum and people usually just tell what needs to be done... thanks tho

 

[Mustang_GT_02]

just orderd a haynes on ebay, what gap is it to do on the spark plugs?

 

[BurningRubber]

Stock is reccomended .054...

 

[Mustang5L5]

whats wrong with FRAM? i might know somebody who has one on his car

Poor construction and glues that allow the filter to basically fall apart internally and block causing the filter to run in bypass mode sometimes before 3000 miles is even reached. They also have poor anti-drainback valves which cause valvetrain rattle on startup.

Motorcraft oil filters are actually pretty good quality and have excellent drainback valves. Ford actually has good specs on what they require for their cars and they are pretty cheap. You can't go wrong with a motorcraft 820S oil filter.






As for the plugs, I used to say that motorcraft and autolite were the same plug. They are both made by Honeywell, but the specs on the motorcraft plugs are tighter vs the equiv autolites. SO an Autolite 764 would have a wider range of acceptable resistance than the equiv motorcraft SP-493 plug. Because of that, i now say get the motorcraft plugs only.

 

[98COBRA281]

wow i dont think ill be using fram anymore, i just though about it, every car in my family (5 of them) has a fram on it

 

[joshheat25]

I've always used purolator oil filters with penzoil.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I've always used purolator oil filters with penzoil.

Motorcraft filters are made by Purolator

They are basically a Pure One filter element in a Premium Plus casing. I beleive they are cheaper though

 

[2002MineralGray]

Yeah Fram SUCKS. I made the mistake of picking one up even though I knew they wer bad filters because I was ina hurry to change my oil and thats all the store had in stock at the time and I didnt want to wait. Now I have the so called valvetrain rattle upon startup and it sucks. My oil isnt even at 3000 miles yet so could I just change the filter or should I wait till my next oil change? Which isnt gonna be for a while. But yeah whatever you do DO NOT use Fram.

 

[the98stang]

For a complete tune up on your car do the following:

oil: 6 quarts of oil. I like Mobil 1, Rotella T, and Castrol GTX. The first 2 are great synthetics that can be found at Walmart for CHEAP. The Castrol isn't synthetic but a lot of the blower guys use it because it's not as "thin" as the fully synthetics.

oil filter: Motorcraft (part # FL820S), K&N, Mobil 1, and Purolator are all great filters. I like the Motorcraft filters because Walmart has them for like $3. Plus, it's the OEM filter. Whatever you do, DO NOT USE FRAM. I've hear cars knock at start up because of these filters.

Plugs: I would recommend Motorcraft or NGK. Gap them properly as these plugs are not pre-gapped. I don't know the part numbers but I'm sure someone has already posted them.

Fuel filter: Use a Motorcraft/Ford filter. Anything else is crap. Motorcraft # (FG986B)

PCV and grommet: Also using the Ford/Motorcraft Part (part # EV-98-B)

Flush the coolant system and install Thermostat (part # 7L3Z8575B)

Inspect the air filter. If it looks nasty, replace with a Motorcraft air filter (part FA1632). OR if you have some extra cash, buy a K&N filter to drop in.

That should be a pretty good start

 

[KronicRacer]

LOL fram Cheap crap for sure
I remember using one a few years ago..... when i went to replace it, the casing had blistered the sticker was about to fall off talk about a wake up call not to use that pos. since then ive used either mobile one hi per filter or the k&n

 

[Mustang5L5]

Yeah Fram SUCKS. I made the mistake of picking one up even though I knew they wer bad filters because I was ina hurry to change my oil and thats all the store had in stock at the time and I didnt want to wait. Now I have the so called valvetrain rattle upon startup and it sucks. My oil isnt even at 3000 miles yet so could I just change the filter or should I wait till my next oil change? Which isnt gonna be for a while. But yeah whatever you do DO NOT use Fram.

Yes, you can just change the filter now.

You may have to add a little oil to get it back to correct fill level

 

[99MustangGTVert]

Ive always used Mobil 1 oil filters.

 

[2002MineralGray]

Yes, you can just change the filter now.

You may have to add a little oil to get it back to correct fill level

Ok thanks. Haha sorry to high jack the thread kinda. But yeah to the OP if you do what the98stang said you should be off to a good start as far as maitenance goes.

 

[bdcardinal]

Motorcraft filters are made by Purolator

They are basically a Pure One filter element in a Premium Plus casing. I beleive they are cheaper though

some of the motorcraft filters are made my champion laboratories now. it mostly depends onthe application. the FL-2021 used on the lincoln LS v8 and T-bird is made in england.

 

[mustang50v8]

here is a dumb question, where is the trans drain plug? or is there not one and is it more difficult to change the fluid.


i know on the auto trans from my 3.8 the pan had to be removed and it was a messy job.