installing spark plugs

S3SR · 28-09-2006, 01:07 PM

do i just screw them in till its firm or do i need a torque wrench?

JC · 28-09-2006, 01:10 PM

Just screw 'em in til it's firm. Do NOT overtighten. If you use a special hand held spark plug socket (not the one that goes on a ratchet), they end up tight without being overtight.

JC

GK · 28-09-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Just screw 'em in til it's firm. Do NOT overtighten. If you use a special hand held spark plug socket (not the one that goes on a ratchet), they end up tight without being overtight.

JC

Hmmmm, another idea for a "how to" LOL!

GK

JC · 28-09-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GK

Hmmmm, another idea for a "how to" LOL!

GK

Soon there will be the Haynes manual, the Gregory's manual, and the GK manual for AU falcons!

GK - off topic - what is the height of the front of your wagon from ground to the guard? I've just installed XR springs in mine (it had SLs in it), and it seems too high (measurement is 690mm).

foxtrot · 28-09-2006, 02:32 PM

Your suppose to screw till it seats then 1/3rd around more
I've actually had practice getting them perfect on motorbike heads with the top part of the head where the sparkplug goes removed so I could see through to the bottom if the plug sat perfect.

xr8 007 · 28-09-2006, 03:37 PM

does anyone lubricate the plugs with some crc before hand?

99XR6 · 28-09-2006, 04:16 PM

i havn't used crc but i usually use a little it of anti sieze

i guess it'll do the same job though

beaky41 · 28-09-2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

GK - off topic - what is the height of the front of your wagon from ground to the guard? I've just installed XR springs in mine (it had SLs in it), and it seems too high (measurement is 690mm).

for comparison mine is 657mm

JC · 28-09-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaky41

for comparison mine is 657mm

With Lows? Maybe I got stock ute springs, not stock XR springs?

RG · 28-09-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Soon there will be the Haynes manual, the Gregory's manual, and the GK manual for AU falcons!

GK - off topic - what is the height of the front of your wagon from ground to the guard? I've just installed XR springs in mine (it had SLs in it), and it seems too high (measurement is 690mm).

Better to get the measurement between the bottom of the rim and the guard.

S3SR · 28-09-2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99XR6

i havn't used crc but i usually use a little it of anti sieze

i guess it'll do the same job though

damn i missed that step.... will it matter?

ill just coat it with WD40 like the can says

heres the difference

S3SR · 28-09-2006, 05:44 PM

also damn that 'hose' from under the thermostat is BLOODY HOT!!!!!

i only got my leads to go then bit of a hoon, see if i installed them right or if the engine blows up....then see what fuel econ is like

JC · 28-09-2006, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedXR8220

Better to get the measurement between the bottom of the rim and the guard.

What difference does it make? I know what measurement I have and need a comparison. By measuring from bottom of the rim, it's missing out on the tyre part so different sized rims would be impossible to compare.

JC · 28-09-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FALCONSR

damn i missed that step.... will it matter?

ill just coat it with WD40 like the can says

heres the difference

New plugs will make a world of difference - assuming you get the lead issue sorted, that is.

S3SR · 28-09-2006, 08:35 PM

hehe yes i did get it sorted just then, what happens is bosch package the 'other' leads only, but you can buy the 'correct ones' cheaper and at custom lengths.

so for the same price i got a ford lanyard, key ring, 6 'correct' leads and a $20 refund.

im gonna install them tomorrow

i saw some H4 xenon bulbs, might do them next, then oxygen sensor

GK · 28-09-2006, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Soon there will be the Haynes manual, the Gregory's manual, and the GK manual for AU falcons!

GK - off topic - what is the height of the front of your wagon from ground to the guard? I've just installed XR springs in mine (it had SLs in it), and it seems too high (measurement is 690mm).

It's dark now JC, but I will get it on some flat concrete tomorrow morning for you and measure. You know the wagon is stock don't you? I presume that's why you are asking, to get a measure of the drop?

I could actually get a leave pass from the misses (lots of preparations for daughter's 3rd birthday party tomorrow! LOL!) and go down the servo.

I'll get back to you later perhaps!

Cheers,

GK

GK · 28-09-2006, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

GK - off topic - what is the height of the front of your wagon from ground to the guard? I've just installed XR springs in mine (it had SLs in it), and it seems too high (measurement is 690mm).

690mm is too high JC.

I measured mine for you tonight and got quite a shock!

One side, 673mm the other, 693mm.

I'm scared! LOL! I'll measure again another time in the daylight.

GK

S3SR · 29-09-2006, 06:29 PM

new leads DONT fit, and i hate bosch im returning my spark plugs tomorrow as well.....take that bosch

b2tf · 29-09-2006, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

With Lows? Maybe I got stock ute springs, not stock XR springs?

Hey JC, those springs I sold you are definitely XR springs, they came out of my XR8 and were replaced with Herrod items.

JC · 29-09-2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

Hey JC, those springs I sold you are definitely XR springs, they came out of my XR8 and were replaced with Herrod items.

Measured them again tonight, and it's 685mm each side - so lower than stock by a bit, but not XR sedan height. I think maybe the utes might sit a bit higher than sedans with the XR springs, or maybe they're heavier duty etc.

jimt3te50 · 29-09-2006, 10:14 PM

JC you haven't put b2tf's ex-XR8 springs on an inline 6 have you? They are different springs to compensate for the extra weight of the engine......

But yeah sparkplugs hey.....

b2tf · 29-09-2006, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimt3te50

JC you haven't put b2tf's ex-XR8 springs on an inline 6 have you? They are different springs to compensate for the extra weight of the engine......

that explains it then.......

GK · 30-09-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimt3te50

JC you haven't put b2tf's ex-XR8 springs on an inline 6 have you? They are different springs to compensate for the extra weight of the engine......

But yeah sparkplugs hey.....

I thought that XR 6/8 springs were the same.

GK

JC · 30-09-2006, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GK

I thought that XR 6/8 springs were the same.

GK

Me too. Looks like using pedders/king springs as a reference to see if part numbers are the same was right, but wrong. Thanks for the info Jim.

Oh well, nothing the good old angle grinder can't fix. Anyone know how much of a coil to cut to drop the car about 10mm? I was thinking around 1/2. Note that stock springs have 9 coils, XR springs have 11 coils, so even if I do cut 1/2 coil or so, I will still end up with a long enough spring to seat properly (I actually had to use a spring compressor to install these - first time ever!!!).

How did we go from spark plugs to springs? Probably my fault. Oh well. It's been helpful!

EDIT - Actually, just thinking about this, ragtop has my old XR8 sedan springs in the front of his wagon, and it sits at around 660mm - just nice! So maybe there's a difference between ute and sedan, rather than XR6/8.

EBFalcs · 30-09-2006, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FALCONSR

also damn that 'hose' from under the thermostat is BLOODY HOT!!!!!

i only got my leads to go then bit of a hoon, see if i installed them right or if the engine blows up....then see what fuel econ is like

i hope you didn't change the plugs when the engine was hot, because that's the easiest way to strip the threads in alloy.

SA-AUII-MAX · 23-10-2006, 04:26 AM

Howzit FalconSR

Seems like you never got to run with the "Bosch Super4".
Not to worry, I did and it's running s**t, misses all over the show.
Installed new genuine leads too with no better result.
Went on a long trip and had to find the original plugs, that's how bad it got.
After installing the "right stuff" (standard plugs) all went fine again.

S3SR · 23-10-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SA-AUII-MAX

Howzit FalconSR

Seems like you never got to run with the "Bosch Super4".
Not to worry, I did and it's running s**t, misses all over the show.
Installed new genuine leads too with no better result.
Went on a long trip and had to find the original plugs, that's how bad it got.
After installing the "right stuff" (standard plugs) all went fine again.

im running the bosch super 4's and bosch AUIII leads now... and no dramas
and ive been on a long enough trip of tville to ifail and back 600+kms but only with plugs not leads as they were installed after.

i was thinking of running motorcrafts again

: as some of the yank 'modified' fords do but then again yanks are dumb they made ford poor

enjoy

autickfordfairmont · 23-10-2006, 01:53 PM

guys no point measureing top of guard to ground as different rims, tyres and pressures will give a variance in measurements, measure from the Centre of the wheel to the top of the guard, this way no matter what tyres or rims or pressures you have, all measurements are measured at exactly the same spot and a fair comparison is made. I will measure mine and put it up for you.

paddle · 23-10-2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FALCONSR

do i just screw them in till its firm or do i need a torque wrench?

I have found the easiest way for me personally is to use a small length of garden hose to put the plugs in,plug end fits perfect in the hose,lubricate with some wd and just screw them in using the hose,saves burnt hands and crossthreading,when tight just pull hose out and tighten qtr turn with a socket,works for me!

SA-AUII-MAX · 24-10-2006, 02:55 AM

Hi FalconSR
Glad to hear that your problems with the Bosch Super4 are over.
Can you tell me what type of Bosch plugs you got installed?
Available here in South Africa are the WR 91 X.
I have a Fairmont AUII 2002 and according to the Bosch Sparkplug catalogue it will take WR 91 V's. Unfortunately they are not available in SA.
Had to look real hard to get the Bosch4's (WR 91 X) and I do think now that perhaps one of the plugs is faulty and that's why it's missing.

On a different note: How about your interior lights?
Can you switch them on again after a couple of minutes driving?
Mine don't and it's sometimes quite annoying being in the dark.