Colder Spark Plug for Tuned Rangers

Msfitoy

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Sid this is the best I can do right now till I get home....there is a rigid fuel line directly above the plug closest to the fuel pump in the rear of the engine. I have a great exploded view but no directions on removing that line. I appreciate HossierT telling me to give it a little tug. I just don't want this to be an item they have modified and tugging on it would be bad. It's a simple bell shaped connector with no tabs (exploded view connector has apparent tabs). Just wondering if I need a connector removal tool of some sort? Any feedback is appreciated.
I will update with a real picture later on today...

fuel pump.PNG
I remember disconnecting the plug harness and bolt/stud holding it down to the head...then I rotated the plug unit until the harness end was clear of that fuel line and pulled straight up...
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txquailguy

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Thanks to all for the work around! So glad I didn’t try to get that off! I believe to get it off you need a decompression tool to press inside the bell to release.

Update: Plug change went great, so easy! No problem getting that rear plug out with a rotate of the coil. Plugs looked great and the boots still look brand new after 34K. Can't wait to see how my Blackstone Analysis looks....should get that back soon.

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importfighter01

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I ran into this problem too with the low pressure fuel line. Thankfully you don't actually have to take it off even though it says you have to. Glad when I was able to go without because I did not want to deal with fuel on top of my engine and replacing o-rings as others have said, etc. If you are careful you can just barely slip the plug/socket/extension past it. The coil looks like you can't get it out but it it rubbery and bends
This was my experience too.
 

P. A. Schilke

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txquailguy

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So this morning Papaw must take the walk of shame when analyzing the state of my old spark plugs after 34K. Overall the plugs look good, the problem is the significant carbon buildup. IMO...this is directly correlated to the fact the for the first 10K miles I was going back and forth between 85 and 87 octane fuel. This was completely out of ignorance I assure you. No one pointed out to me that I should run a minimum 87 octane. Matter of fact, once I installed the catch can and saw the first capture of gunk I never put anything but 91 in after that. I now get a very refined maple syrup looking liquid with each capture. Sadly I'm sure I caused some buildup in my motor. We will see over time how that plays out with performance. She is running very, very smooth. I pushed her pretty good last night during my shake down run after installing new FactionFab wheel spacers. The engine seems to really like the new plugs! I continue to get crazy reactions on the street when encountering performance vehicles on a Friday night....lol ;) Gonna get me a sticker of "Sleepy" from the seven dwarfs to put on my back window :clap::turkey:
BTW....I saw several fuel line removal tools at harbor freight. I'm sure one of these will disconnect that low pressure fuel line over the #4 coil if anyone ever wants to take that off before a plug change. It definitely is not necessary to remove the coil and plug.

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BassRanger

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Those plugs are not carbon fouled, not even a little.
 
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txquailguy

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I am so not an engine guy, just electronics tech/instrument specialist. I thought they looked pretty black compared to Sid's pictures of his plugs. Maybe it's just the lighting...
All I know is my truck runs really, really good. I commute on the highway about 110 miles a day and she gets pushed on the long haul here and there. I try to be cool but it's really hard with these trucks. I guess I just had to put up with driving "under performance" vehicles over the course of my life. Now that I have this thing I look forward to getting on the road everyday ;)

On another note...I think I'm going to take Mrs. Quail Guy out for a little Saturday night action down on College Avenue hits evening. She has experienced a tiny bit of the power but I want her in the passenger seat when I hit it really hard up against one of these local hot rods around here. Should be a priceless experience...lol. Been married to this girl going on 37 years, she's in for a treat don't ya think...lol :clap:
 

P. A. Schilke

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So this morning Papaw must take the walk of shame when analyzing the state of my old spark plugs after 34K. Overall the plugs look good, the problem is the significant carbon buildup. IMO...this is directly correlated to the fact the for the first 10K miles I was going back and forth between 85 and 87 octane fuel. This was completely out of ignorance I assure you. No one pointed out to me that I should run a minimum 87 octane. Matter of fact, once I installed the catch can and saw the first capture of gunk I never put anything but 91 in after that. I now get a very refined maple syrup looking liquid with each capture. Sadly I'm sure I caused some buildup in my motor. We will see over time how that plays out with performance. She is running very, very smooth. I pushed her pretty good last night during my shake down run after installing new FactionFab wheel spacers. The engine seems to really like the new plugs! I continue to get crazy reactions on the street when encountering performance vehicles on a Friday night....lol ;) Gonna get me a sticker of "Sleepy" from the seven dwarfs to put on my back window :clap::turkey:
BTW....I saw several fuel line removal tools at harbor freight. I'm sure one of these will disconnect that low pressure fuel line over the #4 coil if anyone ever wants to take that off before a plug change. It definitely is not necessary to remove the coil and plug.

IMG_1573.jpg


IMG_1591.jpg


IMG_1600.jpg
Hi Mark,

Plugs look fine to me...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired
 
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txquailguy

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Hi Mark,

Plugs look fine to me...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired
Thanks Phil...I'm the last one to grade plugs...lol. My young neighbor with the hot Mazda Miata (he's my tool source when in need) thinks I'm might be running just a touch rich. But I am told that is ok. All I know is she runs really nice, I couldn't be happier honestly. Waiting for my Blackstone analysis to come back this next week. Very curious to see what that tells me. I'm sure I will need help deciphering their report ;)

Have a great one sir!
Mark
 

P. A. Schilke

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Thanks Phil...I'm the last one to grade plugs...lol. My young neighbor with the hot Mazda Miata (he's my tool source when in need) thinks I'm might be running just a touch rich. But I am told that is ok. All I know is she runs really nice, I couldn't be happier honestly. Waiting for my Blackstone analysis to come back this next week. Very curious to see what that tells me. I'm sure I will need help deciphering their report ;)

Have a great one sir!
Mark
Hi Mark,

Some of the key reads are the center electrode porcelain insulator color. If stark white...way too lean, blackish...too rich. Yours looks fine. Look at the edges of the tip of the center electrode...edges rounded? Not good...nice and square...good!. Dito for the ground lug... The black around the base is not of sufficient caking to indicate any problem...not clean but no biggie. If you used a magnifier look at the base of the center electrode at the porcelain insulator...see and little silver balls? Then this is your piston eroding due to inappropriate mixture....not the case based on your plugs. Others may offer up opinions, but your neighbor is correct...run a touch rich is better than a touch lean... JMO!

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired
 
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txquailguy

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RAYJAY

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I am currently using the Unleashed tune and I am running 1 step colder gaped at .026 and the truck runs great. I check the plugs after a few thousand miles and they looked perfect!
I’ve also run a tune from Gearheads and SSI.

how was the gearhead tune ? and what number plug are you running
 

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how was the gearhead tune ? and what number plug are you running
I don’t recall the number off the top of my head. Gearheads tune was not that great. Power seemed strong but drivability was not. Had a few revisions done but just wasn’t very smooth.
I currently have the Unleashed tune installed and honestly I love it! It’s very drivable and has plenty of power! I’m still running the colder plugs with no issues. I check them about 3k ago and they looked perfect!
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