yesterday I started the truck up, let sit for like 10 sec, was backing out of driveway and noticed the mail box was open and flag was up so I decided to go close to. So i keep backing up and back up right next to the mail box on the road, put flashers on and get out and close it. As i'm walking back to the truck i hear it start to idle really wierd, it was running about half the RPM's it usually does and sounded like it was about to die, as if there was a vacuum leak somewhere, it did remotely sound like an air leak. I put it in drive and it went a little bit same RPM's, so i pulled over, went about 20 feet, and shut it off. opened up the hood and looked, everything looked normal, started it back up and it ran fine. this never happened before and it was kinda strange. anyone else had this happen to them?

 

what kinda rpms were you turning?

 

don't remember exactly, normal idle im probably at around 700 (whatever the normal is). this was probably little below 500.

 

check the plugs, same thing happened to me

 

how do i check the plugs?

 

Pull a couple plugs and see if they're fouled. My guess is the probably are as you just seafoamed and MCCCed your truck. You can clean them up, regap and then put them back in and see if it makes a difference. Or if you don't mind spending a couple bucks get some new ones.

 

what would i need to regap the plugs?

 

They make all kinds of gap guages for spark plugs. A couple bucks at any parts store should get you one. If you continue to do your own work you'll be using it time and time again over the years.

EDIT: Do one plug at a time so as not to mix up the spark plug wires.

 

ok cool, couple questions:

1. any special way to take the wires off?
2. once the plugs are out how do you clean them up? anything to keep an eye out for as a sign of wear/damage?
3. are the gap guages adjustable or just one size only. (ie. should i just get the one that matches the gap labeled under the hood.)
4. should i disconnect the battery for this?

 

Wires- there's actually a tool for that if you want to spend the money. I've never used one. I have wrecked one wire before but that's in 20+ years of working on my own vehicles. You want to grab the boot not the wire and twist it back and forth a little while pulling to help break the seal that forms between the rubber and the plug.

The MCCC would probably do wonders if you have any left to clean them up, but anything you have to get them fairly clean. They don't have to be perfect just clean enough that there's no gunk interfering with a spark being able to jump the gap btween the electrodes

Gapping tools are usually cover a large range of gap (IIRC our V8's are .040")

It a good idea to disconnect your battery when doing anything with the eletrical system. I tend to be lazy and not bother but that's me.