Thank you Xx and Happy Traveler. I will inspect the wires thoroughly
during the plug replacement. My owners manual recommends Motorcraft
AWSF32EE spark plugs for replacement, however all I can seem to locate
locally are Motorcraft SP432 spark plugs. Are these the same plugs,
double platinum?

Thanks again,

Steven

Happy Traveler wrote:
> Done it a couple times on mine - same year, same engine. Definitely go
> through the wheel well. Only the rubber skirts had to come off. If memory
> serves, turning the wheel from side to side as you go from front to back
> helps, but that's it - no reason to take the wheels off. Actually, this is
> one of the easiest engines to change plugs that I have seen.
> If you are buying platinum plugs, make sure that they are 'double platinum'
> (meaning that the platinum plating is on both electrodes). That's because
> this engine fires with positive voltage on one side of the block and
> negative on the other.
> For whatever reason, the wires on this vehicle are notorious for early
> failures, so I would second the suggestion to change them, especially if
> they are over 50,000 miles old. Make sure to keep them away from the exhaust
> manifold (Motorcraft wires come with heat shields on those that are close --
> don't know about the other brands).

Xx wrote:
>> That's the route I went about a month ago. I'd remove the tire on
>> the side of the engine I'm working on though, since some say it can
>> be done with the tire installed, I think it's easier with the tire
>> out of the way. I recommend wearing gloves at least on the driver's
>> side since when you remove the spark plug wire on one of the front
>> wires, you end up gouging your hand. Now is a good time to replace
>> the wires if needed.

stevenmh wrote:
>>> This is my first Explorer and I'm looking for suggestions, and/or
>>> advice, on the best/easiest way to change the spark plugs on my '98
>>> Explorer V8? Would removing the fender liners/skirts make the job
>>> easier?
>>>
>>> TIA,
>>>
>>> Steven