Comments on: BA-BF Falcon 6 Cylinder Spark Plug Replacement

By: Jake

Jake — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:57:03 +0000

Hi Craig,

Great guide, had a first timer like me knock this over in less than an hour.

For anyone who has trouble with the plug closest to the firewall, I used two extensions, one 75mm and one a touch shorter, with a little play it worked fine.

Cheers.

By: Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:16:41 +0000

Hi Tony,
Yeah, assumptions are dangerous things aren’t they! However, from my tune-up manual it looks like all BA’s regardless of year model run a 1.4mm spark plug gap. Unless it’s running lpg which runs a slightly smaller gap at 1.1mm.

Hope that helps!

Regards,
Craig

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:41:38 +0000

Hi, is gap for 2004 petrol BA same as 2002? I assume that it would be but you know the trouble with assumptions!
I got a tool from auto one that is the same as the one listed above for under $20……..I will let you know how good it is but on visual inspection seems ok.

Thanks
Tony

By: Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:39:17 +0000

Hi Ben,
The tune-up manual we have here lists the spark plug gap for a 2002 BA 4.0 as 1.4mm. If it’s running the factory lpg setup or turbo the gap should be reduced to 1.1mm.

Regards,
Craig

By: ben

ben — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:20:15 +0000

What should the gap be for BA 6 cylinder 2002? The auto store gave me 1mm

By: Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 03:37:27 +0000

Hi Emil,
They certainly don’t make em like they used to do they! From memory, and not a good memory at that, I think we use two small extensions and drop the spark plug socket down first and then fit the extensions and ratchet.

I can see how the tool you bought would be a simpler solution – albeit a very expensive one.

Take care,
Craig

By: Emil

Emil — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 02:19:19 +0000

Hi Craig and Peter,

I did go to Autobarn and the solution is simple beyond belief, but it will bring tears to your eyes. As I suspected, there is a special purpose tool consisting of a long T-bar handle with a 16 mm socket at the end that is 125 mm long with a swivel at the handle end. And the cost? $115 (I warned you).

All this cost and bother just to chcange one spark plug! Now, why couldn’t they obstruct all 6 spark plugs in a similar way? Then I would be happy to pay the $115, in fact it would be a bargain at $19.17 per plug.

The spark plug cover also has a screw at the back that is even more inaccessible, but don’t get me started on that!

Regards – Emil

By: Emil

Emil — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 23:37:18 +0000

Hi Craig,

Glad to hear that Jim’s comment cracked you up, but it doesn’t help me to get at the rearmost spark plug. I have a 150 mm extension on the spark plug socket spanner which is just right to reach five of the spark plugs, but the car body overhangs the rearmost plug hole.
So how did you do it? Please don’t tell me to remove the head first. It seems to me that you need a torsion bar with a universal joint in the middle. I’m going to Autobarn right now and see whether they have one, but I suspect Ford have made a special tool for the job.

Regards – Emil

By: Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:07:53 +0000

Hi Jim,
Your comment cracked me up! Good to hear the spark plug article came in handy for you.

Regards,
Craig

By: Beachmere Jim

Beachmere Jim — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 05:03:09 +0000

Craig,

As a printer I’m a shithouse mechanic so your article is helpful as. You probabaly saved me a stack of money.

Jim