So, does the shell/sleeve transfer from the older plug to the newer one?
I can see that the design is significantly different from the one I faced with my daughter's plugs...on that job, though, the "hex" on the plug broke off so some sort of extractor was used to grip the remnant of the plug and get it out. I was truly afraid the head might need to be removed...and while $200 seemed a bit high for 2 hours of rather strenuous physical labor, I was glad to pay it rather than to have to resort to the Ford dealer with their "highly regarded" labor and material fees.
So...when you replaced the plugs, did you use any form of lubricant on that sleeve to eliminate the possibility that the new plugs might get frozen into those holes?
What an awful design...why not just a regular spark plug with an extended tip? Some of the OHC design motors use a plug with a VERY long body...but not a sleeve to get frozen onto the hole in the head. Just curious if anyone knows why they went to that design...it seems to me that they didn't give it enough R&D attention to see that the problem could occur only after significant miles were put onto the motor.
I've always been a Ford Fan, through and through...always liked their "Ford has a better idea" advertisement theme and hate to see them with a "...worse idea".
Cheers!
Doug