Introduction

Z

Zeus2006

Member
#1
#1
Hi all,

I'm actually from IL, I stumbled upon this forum.
I noticed a bunch of good threads on here, so I registered.

I have a Vista Blue, mostly stock, manual, 2006 GT Premium Mustang.
She already has 90,000 miles.

I am doing the dreaded spark plug swap, as she was stalling out on me, so I figured it was time. I pulled the coil overs, and yep, one of them was a mess from the spark plug. Plug must have fouled out on me, and I was probably running on 7.
She isn't my daily driver anymore, as she sleeps in the garage most nights.

7 of the 8 plugs got stuck in the head. I used the Lisle tool to pull out the plugs. I am afraid that some pieces of the plug (porcelain & metal) broke off and fell into the cylinder. I am considering pulling the heads to make sure I get everything out of there. I fear cranking the motor over will not blow everything out. How willl I know? ..... I won't.
While I am there pulling the heads, I may just get the Ford Racing heads and intake since I have to pull them anyway. Might as well upgrade, right?!
I haven't done heads before, but I have been around motor and mustangs a long time. I am handy with cars, but as I mentioned, heads is something I've never done before.
Anyone have any tips or recommendations ?
 
Last edited:
TDHJSilver06

TDHJSilver06

Erie/WNY co-coordinator
#8
#8
Welcome to NYMustangs! As far as the motor work your doing, it's way more work than just heads. Timing chains on each side have to be set so valves don't crash. Look for more info from threads on here.
 
Z

Zeus2006

Member
#9
#9
TDHJSilver06 said:
Welcome to NYMustangs! As far as the motor work your doing, it's way more work than just heads. Timing chains on each side have to be set so valves don't crash. Look for more info from threads on here.
Click to expand...
I certainly was not planning to do anything with a timing chain. I will look up the threads.
Thanks for the info!
 
Z

Zeus2006

Member
#16
#16
Thanks for the welcome everyone. I am a bit frustrated with my issue....

I have been doing some research on this. I made phone calls and read some TSB's.

On the 4.6 3v triton, replacing the heads involves pulling the cams and possilby the timing chains (not 100% on timing chain off the top of my head).
Due to the cams, I am not going to attempt to pull the heads myself.

I am going to do everything I can to make sure I can vacuum out and blow out (crank motor over a few times without spark plugs and fuel relay) the spark plug porcelain and platinum chunks.

If I feel comfortable with my results, I will install the plugs and fire her up.
If I'm not confortable, I have to decide if I want to pay someone $2000 to pull the heads.

Or, I take my chances, turn it over, and deal with whatever problem arises if I am unable to completely clean out the combustion chamber. How much more expensive can it get?
If I know I'm already in for $2000, and a rebuild (use to cost $3000ish before parts) can't be that much more, so what's it matter is I fire it up. $2000 vs $3 or $4000 ?

Not going to lie, I am extremely frustrated with the spark plug issue I am dealing with. It is hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that a simple spark plug swap turning into a $2000 or up issue.

I like to work on cars, and I don't like having other people work on my cars, especially my mustangs. Problem is, I am not savy enough to pull the heads on this 4.6. I have never pulled a cam out of a motor before, nor have a I set a timing chain before, and I imagine now is not a good time to try and figure it out. Not on this car anyway.
 
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