Technical Question On 2008 4.6l 3v Heads

Robert Arco

Active Member
Jan 28, 2017
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I have discovered my GT/CS uses the less problematic 12mm plugs vs the supposed nightmare 16mm. My car was built and rolled off the line December 2007 (its a 2008) so I was surprised.

My questions is I assume this is different heads than most of the 4.6L 3V's ...so what's different about them ? Better ? Worse ? the same with just easier plug paths ?

Is there a way I can look up the build info via the VIN (I know a few years ago there was a link for this)

Sorry for the questions but I am digging deeper into the car with upgrades and want to learn...thanks in advance for any replies
 
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Okay, not want to be a d*ck, (but not appreciating the GO LOOK FOR IT NEW GUY bit) I tried these searches
  • 4.6l 3v heads

  • Different 4.6L 3v engines

  • Spark plugs for 4.6l 3v

  • Mustang heads 4.6l 3v

  • Ford TSB Spark Plugs

And came up with nothing reading multiple pages so the "plenty of threads" must be a well kept secret.

Honestly, I know they changed the heads, I just wanted to get some background on it, if the motors wound up different, etc.

Honestly ? 7 years ago when I was a member here It was much easier to get answers and start dialogs. That's how people learn. It doesn't matter if its been talked about before...and I can assure you before posting, I searched the net which is how I knew the switch in plugs, the codes on the COILS (by the way some parts sites have it backwards).

Well...I will keep looking and hope someone can point to the data..
 
Actually it does matter.. Which is the purpose behind the search forums link to begin with so that these forums aren't flooded with threads covering the same topic that has been beaten to death.. And yes, your absolutely spot on that 7 years ago this forum had far more traffic in which people actually responded by providing feedback and support regarding questions/concerns.. However since then for whatever reason there has been very little traffic on this site which was the main reason why I moved onto to other Mustang sites over 7 years ago, just as I'm sure most of the other senior and founding members of this site also did the same.. At any rate, just out of curiosity I figured that I'd re-visit Stang Net to find out if there's been any improvement in member participation only to discover that it has not.. I also searched all the sub forums on this site and there appears to be very little traffic on any of them.. Therefore IMHO it's only going to be a matter of time in which this site will no longer exist as a direct result..

For what it's worth, I'll do my best to provide you with answers to your concerns from my own experience.. In late 2007 Ford changed the 3v head design due from having so many problems with the high threaded 16mm 2 piece spark plugs breaking inside the heads due to carbon build up around the ground barrel sections.. Ford's solution was to re-design not only the heads but also re-design the 3v spark plugs by going back to the traditional 1 piece 12mm design.. Other than that, no other specs/changes were made to the S197 3v heads/motors.. So there's your difference between the early 3v heads and mid 2008-2010 design.. That being said, your 2008 is a 2008 job II GT/CS model that uses the far better 12mm 1 piece design spark plugs.. You can also tell the difference by the coil pack boots in which all 2005-early 2008 models have the black coil boots and all 2008-2010 models manufactured after Nov 2007 all have brown coil boots.. In the meantime, hopefully this provides answers to most of your concerns..

I would also recommend that you consider joining other Mustang forums, such as The Mustang Source Forums, Modular Fords, S197 Forums, SVT Performance Forums and Corral Net, as they all have far more traffic and member participation support.. Anyway, just my $.02..
 
Okay, not want to be a d*ck, (but not appreciating the GO LOOK FOR IT NEW GUY bit) I tried these searches
  • 4.6l 3v heads

  • Different 4.6L 3v engines

  • Spark plugs for 4.6l 3v

  • Mustang heads 4.6l 3v

  • Ford TSB Spark Plugs

And came up with nothing reading multiple pages so the "plenty of threads" must be a well kept secret.

Honestly, I know they changed the heads, I just wanted to get some background on it, if the motors wound up different, etc.

Honestly ? 7 years ago when I was a member here It was much easier to get answers and start dialogs. That's how people learn. It doesn't matter if its been talked about before...and I can assure you before posting, I searched the net which is how I knew the switch in plugs, the codes on the COILS (by the way some parts sites have it backwards).

Well...I will keep looking and hope someone can point to the data..


You're not being a d*ck. Please feel free to ask any question you like with or without first using the search function. If the search function answers folk's questions then that's great but the site itself exists for enthusiasts even if it's to have a discussion about a topic that's been talked a thousand times. :nice:

Additionally: Welcome aboard! Give a shout to any of the SN staff or me, if have questions about site operation. Most of the folks on this site are drivers especially, when weather is like it is now. Not so many folks waiting around on a weekend for new posts to pop up, if you know what I mean. hehe
 
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Sorry for the delay..just wanted to say thanks for answers and...a lot has happened in a week...I am pretty good at research and not only understand the new plugs, heads, etc. but have taken on some pretty major projects.
That is part of the beauty of Mustangs...there is so much you can do (without getting cheesy ..lol) and in many way, Ford has made it easy with almost an "assemble by numbers" setup that is pretty accessible.

At the same time as my projects, I have been researching for my 22 year sons Audi A4 B7. Holy crap. I wouldn't work on anything serious on those for money ! I did help him swap a fuel filter tonight but looked into the process for a timing belt...OMG. I would rather change two phasers and a cam on my Mustang...twice ...before even touching his car. .:) What does one expect from an overpriced VW though LOL
 
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At the same time as my projects, I have been researching for my 22 year sons Audi A4 B7. Holy crap. I wouldn't work on anything serious on those for money ! I did help him swap a fuel filter tonight but looked into the process for a timing belt...OMG. I would rather change two phasers and a cam on my Mustang...twice ...before even touching his car. .:) What does one expect from an overpriced VW though LOL

If you run into problems with the Audi contact Alpha Motorworks in Canton Ohio. Michael is a very stand up dude.
 
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