4V misfire

[Boom]

Howdy everyone. Lady friend picked up this 4v/IRS swapped GT. Was running pretty well but then developed a misfire. Here's what ive found, looks like this was caused by SMS, shady mechanic syndrome.

System said cyl 1 misfire. Luckily this is the front right cylinder, so should be easy to figure the issue. Also noticed some oil on the valve cover, possibly from the breather tube.





Pulling the small coil cover off and this piece jumped out at me. Looks like I found the problem.



I don't know what could cause the coil to be destroyed like that. There were bits of that rubber everywhere.




Got new plugs and coils coming in for it. Hopefully no other issues, but who knows after seeing this.

 

[Boom]

Took the plugs put and replaced. Cyl 1 was basically floating. It wasn't easy getting the new plug to thread in either. I'm thinking the plug came loose and was being blown upwards each cycle, demolishing the coil.

Cyl 1 also had literally no plug gap. Doesn't seem like it struck the piston. Maybe just all the bouncing around from being loose smacked it closed. The rest of the plugs were gapped more or less ok. They all had alot of oil in the plug wells. Got new valve cover gaskets coming in. Hopefully swapping them will fix the leak. It'll gove a better look at the valvetrain too.



The rest all looked like this:

 

[kb3]

Remind me again what year the motor is? In 2003 Ford had the great idea of only have about 3 threads engage on the sparkplugs for the 4V motors. There has been a long history of shooting those plugs out of the cylinders. There is a fix, albeit not that much fun, it can be done in the car.

 

[Boom]

I'm not 100% sure it's either a 99 or 01 Cobra engine thats been transplanted into an 03 GT.

I'm familiar with the small threads on the heads. I think they finally fixed it on the 03-04 4v heads.

I did get this engine back up and running. New plugs gapped properly and MSD coils. I also cleaned up the intake plenum and made an egr block off plate for it before putting it back on with new gaskets.

I replaced the passenger side valve cover gasket also. Started to do the drivers side, but what a pain! Ended up putting it back together and running as is, slight oil leak out if it. You literally have to unbolt the clutch cable, master cylinder, Hydroboost, and power steering reservoir to get the drivers valve cover off....

 

[Boom]

Here's a pic of said car. Waiting for the owner to start a thread here. I like the side by side one, shows some more of the Bullitts differences.

 

[kb3]

I'm not 100% sure it's either a 99 or 01 Cobra engine thats been transplanted into an 03 GT.

I'm familiar with the small threads on the heads. I think they finally fixed it on the 03-04 4v heads.

I did get this engine back up and running. New plugs gapped properly and MSD coils. I also cleaned up the intake plenum and made an egr block off plate for it before putting it back on with new gaskets.

I replaced the passenger side valve cover gasket also. Started to do the drivers side, but what a pain! Ended up putting it back together and running as is, slight oil leak out if it. You literally have to unbolt the clutch cable, master cylinder, Hydroboost, and power steering reservoir to get the drivers valve cover off....

03 had the bad heads, fixed it on the 04. I installed the steel inserts in my 03 and yes, have to take apart the entire driver's side of the car just to get a valve cover off.