I am the worst mechanic evar

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I am the worst mechanic evar

November 30, 2007, 06:57:30 PM

For the past several months I've noticed a ticking from my T-bird ('87 3.8L). My best guess was an exhaust manifold leak. However, like all things car related, I am a horrible procrastinator. Also, the passenger side O2 sensor was getting lazy - so I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone. 90% of the effort of getting to the O2 sensor is also needed to remove the manifold.

Fast forward to Sunday night. I was driving home from Birmingham after watching Auburn beat Alabama for the 6th time in a row.

I exited off the interstate and on to surface roads. A light ahead turned red and I let off the glass and idled up to it. It turned green as I came upon the intersection and I went back to the gas. At that exact moment I heard a *POP* and then a very loud *BAH*BAH*BAH*BAH*BAH that varied with engine rpm. I thought to myself "Oh snap, the gasket blew plum out!" and kept on going. Driving into my neighborhood with an open exhaust at 11pm was quite uncomfortable. I dashed into my house and waited a few minutes until I felt the eyes of my neighbors turn to more mundane things.

I popped the hood and took a look around, but found nothing amiss at first. A further look (and feel) around netted the #2 spark plug - still attached to the wire - dangling about the engine bay.

I changed the plugs 25 months ago and 16,500 miles ago!!!
The other plugs were all tight. :( Oh well, could be worse.

I am the worst mechanic evar

Reply #1 – November 30, 2007, 10:29:46 PM

This link explains what happened..

I am the worst mechanic evar

Reply #2 – November 30, 2007, 11:28:02 PM

thats alright we all have done things that we can't explain.
I once drove from buffalo to daytona with a socket set and ratchet on my radiator support. don't remember leaving it there.

I am the worst mechanic evar

Reply #3 – November 30, 2007, 11:47:09 PM

I once pulled my radiator and found my uncle's SnapOn ratcheting 3/8 extension under it.

I am the worst mechanic evar

Reply #4 – December 01, 2007, 12:14:23 AM

Quote from: Johnny Cougar;190518

This link explains what happened..

You spelled Jeremy wrong.....Reverse ownage....

I am the worst mechanic evar

Reply #5 – December 01, 2007, 01:00:33 AM

does that link have a girl getting bit on her y in one of the pics or am i crazy? lol, i saw that and was like, what the eff?

I am the worst mechanic evar

Reply #6 – December 01, 2007, 02:04:28 AM

spelled "ever" wrong too.

I am the worst mechanic evar

Reply #7 – December 01, 2007, 03:17:52 AM

thats odd. My 3.8 blew the number two plug and i had to run a thread chaser in to retap. My friend has a cfi 3.8 as well and that number two blew out last week.

maybe there something to number 2/5 position with respect to machine work.

I am the worst mechanic evar

Reply #8 – December 01, 2007, 10:28:47 AM

Fords aluminum heads=junk. We've had to helicoil 4 4.6/5.4 spark plug holes.

Check to make sure your heads still have threads.

I am the worst mechanic evar

Reply #9 – December 01, 2007, 12:13:15 PM

Quote from: Tbird232ci;190594

Check to make sure your heads still have threads.

There was a little bit of aluminum on the plug threads, but it went in ok.

The upside is that it runs better and my highway mileage has gone up 3+ mpg.

I am the worst mechanic evar

Reply #10 – December 01, 2007, 03:03:51 PM

This is why I have GT40 iron heads on my 5.0.......................plus I couldn't afford aluminium heads

I am the worst mechanic evar

Reply #11 – December 01, 2007, 08:53:30 PM

Quote from: V8Demon;190544

You spelled Jeremy wrong.....Reverse ownage....

Fixed it... I was tired last night.