Truck Issues

[babyjoker]

I just changed the sparkplug cables in my dads ford f150 6cyl engine and now when the truck is in drive or reverse it shakes alot, almost as if it the motor wants to die out but it doesnt. I hooked up the new cables just as the old ones were and i cant think of what the problem could be. You guys have any ideas of what could be wrong?i really need some help here!

[str86diesel]

Sounds like 1 of 2 issues

1) the spark plugs that you put in are a different temp then the ones before. Either too cool, meaning they are not burning all of the fuel, leaving your motor rich, or to hot, leaving the motor lean

2) the spark plugs are not gapped right.

Thoughts?

Edited April 21, 2007 by str86diesel

[babyjoker]

i believe the spark plugs were changed like a day ago, with the old cables they worked fine.

What do you mean that the spark plugs arent gapped right?

[str86diesel]

Spark plugs have adjustable "Gaps" in which is a measurement of how far the spark plug should spark during ignition. If you look at the spark plug, there will be a piece on the end of in which moves up and down, the space betwen the center of the plug and the outside "Fork" is called a gap.

If you look in the owners manual of the vehicle it will tell you the type/temperature of spark plug required and the gap. In order to gap the spark plug, you'll have to have a gapping tool. If the spark plug doesn't have the right gap, it will have a hard time igniting the fuel appropriately.

But...if you are saying that they worked ok with the old cables, then it sounds like your cable set could be bad, or the cables could be mixed up and your firing order is off. Have you verifed the new cables with a multimeter and or checked to make sure they are wired in the correct order?

http://www.ehow.com/how_110_replace-spark-plugs.html

Gapping the New Spark Plugs

Step1 Find the chart listing the proper "gap" for your plugs in your car's repair manual. The spark plug gap may also be on the sticker on the inside of the car's hood. The parts store can provide you with this specification as well.

Step2 Insert the spark plug gapping tool in the gap between the metal center electrode and the metal side electrode of the plug's tip.

Step3 Look at the tool's ruled edge and find the gap's measurement. If it is too big, bend the spark plug's end with the tool to widen the gap. To make the gap smaller, push the side electrode (the metal part at the very top) against a hard service.

Step4 After adjusting, measure again. Repeat this procedure until the gap matches the specification listed in your car's manual.

Step5 Repeat with each plug.

Tips & Warnings

Spark plug gap specifications are listed in inches and/or millimeters. The gapper will have inches on one side and millimeters on the other.

Make sure you buy the right spark plugs for your car based on its model, make and year.

Edited April 21, 2007 by str86diesel

[babyjoker]

i made sure i didnt mix up the cables, last time i did that i thought the motor was going to blow

might be the cables are bad, i dont have a multimeter so i cant check that way.

thanks for the info on gapping the plugs, very useful and informative.

I asked my dad if the sparks were gapped correctly and he said yes, told me the measurements and i checked the manual

seems right.

[roscoe1129]

Does it have a rotor? u might have changed the timing by accident pulling the wires off or putting em back on.

[babyjoker]

rotor?

the distributor? its more of a rectangle, all electrical.

[roscoe1129]

hmmmm ???? sorry buddy

[babyjoker]

hmmmm ???? sorry buddy

thanks anyway

[str86diesel]

I'd put the old cables in and let see how she runs. If she runs good...return the new cables.