The Ford Barn

Jack '29 Sport Coupe · 07-28-2011, 08:34 AM

I decided to change the plugs on my modern car the other day. After I lifted the hood, I searched for sometime to find the four in the back. After I finally found them, I decided I didn't want to even try to change them. That cost me 160.00 bucks! WOW, really makes me appreciate changing the plugs on the A. After that, I pulled the air cleaner out to see if it needed changing------it didn't. However, in doing so, I managed to pull out a hose without noticing it, and drove the car for a couple of miles before the "check engine" light came on. I immediately lifted the hood and
spotted the loose hose and fixed the problem. Unfortunately, my car is one of those that the check engine has to be reset with a computer. Some cars, I guess, can be reset with just a simple disconnect of the battery for 15 minutes, or so----kind of like rebooting a computer when a
regular shut down won't do the trick. Anyway, the mechanic ran a check on the system before he reset it, and determined that I needed to add a
Heet product (red label) and address an issue with some sticky injectors.
This took about a half hour and cost 38.00 bucks. The cost of the plugs
and the computer check seem high, but I managed to pick up five more
miles per gallon. That's HUGE in my book considering the cost of fuel.
In summation, give me a Model A to tinker with any day of the week!
By the way, the Heet product only cost 3.00 bucks----cheap insurance.

Jack

Ross/Kzoo · 07-28-2011, 08:47 AM

I bought an OBD 2 for my modern car. It was under $50. It figured out the senser in the air induction was dirty. I bought some electronics cleaner and rinsed it down. Fixed the problem and the check engine light was reset and stayed off. Eventually you will need one of these.

http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3030-Inn.../dp/B000EVYGQY

Jack '29 Sport Coupe · 07-28-2011, 09:46 AM

Thanks, Ross, I'm going to get one of those from Amazon!

Jack

Seth Swoboda · 07-28-2011, 10:01 AM

A few weeks ago I changed the exhaust manifold gaskets and put a new fuel gauge in my A all in about an hours time. If i tired that on a modern car it would have taken a week. Makes me want to find an A or a T for my everyday driver to work!

Jack '29 Sport Coupe · 07-28-2011, 02:15 PM

Not a bad idea............

Jack

Great Lakes Greg · 07-28-2011, 04:52 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

In order to change the spark plugs on my brother's Chevy Lumina, you have to disconect the rear motor mounts and rock the engine forward for access. Yikes!

sonny30coupe · 07-28-2011, 11:20 PM

Why change the plugs, my work truck has the same plugs for 220,000 miles, it now has 298,000 on it.....

CarlG · 07-29-2011, 10:58 AM

I just spent close to $1,000 on repairs for a 20 year old SUV that probably wouldn't sell for much more than that. Still cheaper than buying a new one though -- and no payments!

1930artdeco · 07-29-2011, 12:22 PM

By the book on my 97 Ranger you had to remove the intake manifold plus the fuel rail and A/C compressor to get to the driver side plugs. I just removed half the intake and turned into a contortionist sailor.

Mike

Dave27 · 07-29-2011, 12:42 PM

Changing the spark plugs on a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero is 300.00 they have to take the whole fuel injection sytem off to get to them

Just had it done

hardtimes · 07-29-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack '29 Sport Coupe

Not a bad idea............

Jack

Jack,
Well, you had it nice compared to the auto models ..where you had to pull the engine to get plugs changed

!

Jerry Parr WI · 07-29-2011, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonny30coupe

Why change the plugs, my work truck has the same plugs for 220,000 miles, it now has 298,000 on it.....

The reason for changing them is they rust into the head. If you ever have a bad one it may need to be drilled out. The odds that will happen are ????

Milton · 07-29-2011, 10:41 PM

Been there done that spark plug thing 44 years ago with a Mustang 390 ci.

How to reset a check engine light, two layers of masking tape.

Jack '29 Sport Coupe · 07-30-2011, 12:59 AM

I agree with hardtimes about having it easy compared to the cars with engines that had to be pulled. If I'm not mistaken, some of the old Chevy Vega's had to have their engines pulled. Ugh!

Jack

Jack '29 Sport Coupe · 07-30-2011, 01:03 AM

Milt's got a good method of resetting the check engine light! You could also use some
black touch up paint, LOL.

In a recent courtroom tv show there was an episode where someone actually did that to hide the light. Yikes!

Jack

07-28-2011, 08:34 AM	#1
Jack '29 Sport Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 798	Not Model A Related I decided to change the plugs on my modern car the other day. After I lifted the hood, I searched for sometime to find the four in the back. After I finally found them, I decided I didn't want to even try to change them. That cost me 160.00 bucks! WOW, really makes me appreciate changing the plugs on the A. After that, I pulled the air cleaner out to see if it needed changing------it didn't. However, in doing so, I managed to pull out a hose without noticing it, and drove the car for a couple of miles before the "check engine" light came on. I immediately lifted the hood and spotted the loose hose and fixed the problem. Unfortunately, my car is one of those that the check engine has to be reset with a computer. Some cars, I guess, can be reset with just a simple disconnect of the battery for 15 minutes, or so----kind of like rebooting a computer when a regular shut down won't do the trick. Anyway, the mechanic ran a check on the system before he reset it, and determined that I needed to add a Heet product (red label) and address an issue with some sticky injectors. This took about a half hour and cost 38.00 bucks. The cost of the plugs and the computer check seem high, but I managed to pick up five more miles per gallon. That's HUGE in my book considering the cost of fuel. In summation, give me a Model A to tinker with any day of the week! By the way, the Heet product only cost 3.00 bucks----cheap insurance. Jack __________________ Cincinnati, Ohio

07-28-2011, 08:47 AM	#2
Ross/Kzoo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Richland Mi. Posts: 1,172	Re: Not Model A Related I bought an OBD 2 for my modern car. It was under $50. It figured out the senser in the air induction was dirty. I bought some electronics cleaner and rinsed it down. Fixed the problem and the check engine light was reset and stayed off. Eventually you will need one of these. http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3030-Inn.../dp/B000EVYGQY

07-28-2011, 09:46 AM	#3
Jack '29 Sport Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 798	Re: Not Model A Related Thanks, Ross, I'm going to get one of those from Amazon! Jack __________________ Cincinnati, Ohio

07-28-2011, 10:01 AM	#4
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 3,795	Re: Not Model A Related A few weeks ago I changed the exhaust manifold gaskets and put a new fuel gauge in my A all in about an hours time. If i tired that on a modern car it would have taken a week. Makes me want to find an A or a T for my everyday driver to work!

07-28-2011, 02:15 PM	#5
Jack '29 Sport Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 798	Re: Not Model A Related Not a bad idea............ Jack __________________ Cincinnati, Ohio

07-28-2011, 04:52 PM	#6
Great Lakes Greg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,369	Re: Not Model A Related Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) In order to change the spark plugs on my brother's Chevy Lumina, you have to disconect the rear motor mounts and rock the engine forward for access. Yikes!

07-28-2011, 11:20 PM	#7
sonny30coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kansas City KS Posts: 255	Re: Not Model A Related Why change the plugs, my work truck has the same plugs for 220,000 miles, it now has 298,000 on it.....

07-29-2011, 10:58 AM	#8
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Not Model A Related I just spent close to $1,000 on repairs for a 20 year old SUV that probably wouldn't sell for much more than that. Still cheaper than buying a new one though -- and no payments!

07-29-2011, 12:22 PM	#9
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,552	Re: Not Model A Related By the book on my 97 Ranger you had to remove the intake manifold plus the fuel rail and A/C compressor to get to the driver side plugs. I just removed half the intake and turned into a contortionist sailor. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

07-29-2011, 12:42 PM	#10
Dave27 Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Snohomish,Wa. Posts: 139	Re: Not Model A Related Changing the spark plugs on a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero is 300.00 they have to take the whole fuel injection sytem off to get to them Just had it done

07-29-2011, 10:41 PM	#13
Milton Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 837	Re: Not Model A Related Been there done that spark plug thing 44 years ago with a Mustang 390 ci. How to reset a check engine light, two layers of masking tape.

07-30-2011, 12:59 AM	#14
Jack '29 Sport Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 798	Re: Not Model A Related I agree with hardtimes about having it easy compared to the cars with engines that had to be pulled. If I'm not mistaken, some of the old Chevy Vega's had to have their engines pulled. Ugh! Jack __________________ Cincinnati, Ohio

07-30-2011, 01:03 AM	#15
Jack '29 Sport Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 798	Re: Not Model A Related Milt's got a good method of resetting the check engine light! You could also use some black touch up paint, LOL. In a recent courtroom tv show there was an episode where someone actually did that to hide the light. Yikes! Jack __________________ Cincinnati, Ohio