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Spark plug thread damage.
The cylinder heads on some 1997-2008 Ford cars and light trucks with the 4.6, 5.4 or 6.8L two-valve engine can exhibit missing or stripped spark plug threads.
A new kit, called LOCK-N-STITCH, is available to repair the tread damage.
The kit contains special aluminum inserts and a tool to properly install them.
The carmaker points out that LOCK-N-STITCH is the only kit it recommends to fix damaged cylinder head threads, since others may affect the spark plugs’ ability to transfer heat into the head.
The following vehicles are prone to the damage and can benefit from the LOCK-N-STITCH kit:
1997 Ford Thunderbird and Mercury Cougar
1997-1999 Ford F-250 light-duty pickups
1997-2004 Ford Mustang & Expedition
1997-2007 Lincoln Town Car
1997-2008 Ford Crown Victoria, E-Series Vans & F-150 and Mercury Grand Marquis
1998-1999 Lincoln Navigator
1998-2004 Ford F-Super Duty pickup trucks
2001-2005 Ford Excursion
2002-2006 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer
