True...when in doubt 'stick' with stock!

That's what they were designed to run so you can't go wrong with the Motorcraft plugs

 

The spark plugs have a tendency to stick in the heads and break when you try to remove them. Go take a peek in the V-8 Engines forum - this is an issue with all 3V engines - 5.4 V-8 and 6.8 V-10 - up till sometime in 08.

 

Haven't seen it - heard it - from other V10 savvy folks - but, nothing's perfect. Seems like a case where it may have happened a few times, an isolated case (of the hundreds of thousands of engine blocks), and suddenly it becomes a main stream problem - doubt it's an across the board issue. It can't be worse than the plug 'popping' out of the cylinder heads that affected a number of V8 / V10 2V motors. Anyway, I'll have the dealer take out the plugs when I have it done so it'll be their issue.

 

I have never heard of a plug issue on the 3V V10. The 3V 5.4L, on the other hand, is a nightmare!

 

http://www.brokensparkplug.com/TSB_08-7-6_Pg1.pdf

 

Looks like the little 4.6L is affected too. However, it isn't a 'problem' like the plug popping out of the cylinder head, but rather a procedure update. So, really, no big deal. ...plus the V10 owners I know who have had their plugs changed never expressed this as an 'issue'. FWIW...I have never changed my plugs on the Mustang when the engine is hot anyway (well, OK, it's an 89)....thanks for the TSB, but it doesn't seem the red flag as one may want to make it out to be. Still, I printed ot out and it's on file - so when the time comes I can alert the Ford mechanic and he can do as he needs...

 

Yes, the 3V 4.6's were affected, but they didn't put the 3V into the F-150 till 09, after the improved heads that eliminated the sticking and breaking issue.

This IS a big deal if you break the plugs off in the heads, which you very likely will do if you go in there uninformed and just start trying to crank them out with a wrench like you are used to doing.

 

It's a bigger deal to you than me - and again I plan on having the dealer do the plugs - others mileage may vary. I spoke with my Fomoco mechanic here and he said he hasn't seen the problem with either the 5.4L or the 6.8L. He is aware of the TSB, but even before it came out he hasn't seen the issue. Of course now he follows the latest procedure..and as I said before - thanks...

 

I myself get about 380 to 400 miles(37 gallon tank) out of a tank of fuel. I'm going to change my plugs because i dont know how many miles are on these because they were in my truck when I bought it used. I guess I'll be be going back in with good old fatihful motorcraft plugs.