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How to Tune Up a 1999 E-150 Econoline

Since 1961, full-size Ford vans have had two official names, Econoline and E-series. Regardless of the names, they both used the same nomenclature when indicating the size of the van, E-150, E-250 and E-350. The 1999 E-150 came standard with a 195-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-6 engine. Unlike vehicles from years past, the E-150 did not require adjusting points, timing or inspecting the distributor; it had a distributorless ignition system that used just a coil, six spark plugs and six spark plug wires. All that was part of a basic tuneup on the 1999 E-150 were the latter two components.

Things You'll Need

  • 6 Motorcraft AGSF-34EE, or equivalent spark plugs
  • Spark plug gap tool
  • Ratchet
  • Spark plug socket
  • Torque wrench
  • Spark plug wire
  • Dielectric grease meeting Ford specification ESE-M1C171A
  • Small flathead screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the gap on the base of the six Motorcraft AGSF-34EE or equivalent spark plugs with a spark plug gap tool. The correct gap for the E-150’s 4.2-liter engine is 0.052 to 0.056 inches. Adjust the gap as needed by widening or narrowing the width of the gap on the plugs using the spark plug gap tool.

    • 2

      Trace one spark plug wire to the side of the engine until you reach where a thick rubber boot connects the wire to the spark plug. Pull upward on the on the boot with a slight twisting motion to remove it.

    • 3

      Remove the spark plug with a ratchet and a spark plug socket. Pull the spark plug from the spark plug socket and discard it. Hand-thread a new Motorcraft AGSF-34EE or equivalent spark plug into the cylinder head. Feel for resistance as you tighten the plug. Remove the plug and rethread it into the cylinder head if you feel resistance.

    • 4

      Tighten the spark plug to between 7 and 15 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

    • 5

      Trace the removed spark plug upward until you reach where it plugs into the ignition coil. While tracing the wire, notate the way Ford routed the wire and remove it from the wire-routing clips. Squeeze and hold the tabs on the coil end of the spark plug wire, and pull the wire upward with a slight twisting motion to remove it.

    • 6

      Lay the wire on a flat surface and match up a wire of equal length from the new wire set. Apply a small amount of dielectric grease meeting Ford specification ESE-M1C171A to the inside of the spark plug wire and spread it around the inside of the boot with a small flathead screwdriver.

    • 7

      Align the smaller boot on the spark plug with the vacant receptacle on the ignition coil. Press downward on the spark plug boot until its tabs click into place, securing the plug on the coil.

    • 8

      Route the wire in the exact way Ford routed it initially, pressing it into the wire-routing clips along the way. Align the spark plug boot with the top of the spark plug and press it onto the plug until you feel it click onto the plug.

    • 9

      Repeat Steps 2 through 8 to replace the remaining spark plugs and wires.

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