I can't remember exactly what it was, something I read quite some time ago. It was about one model of Ford engine that only had a couple of threads of the spark plug engaging in the head. They were having the spark plugs blow right out of the engine like popcorn going off. Of course that was wickedly expensive to fix as well, and apparently somehow NOT covered by warranty. Only Ford....

When I was still a young whippersnapper of a mechanic, a guy asked me how much to change the plugs on his Ford, (Mercury) Cougar with a big block 390 in it. Being at that point uninitiated, I told him a tune up would run him $25.00 labor. He just kind of laughed and said, "Ok, that will be fine" and left the car with me. I worked on it for a full day before I finally gave up. He came for the car and I told him, "No charge for the points/condensor change and setting the timing, but I'm sorry, I can't change the plugs." He just laughed and giggled and said "Yeah, don't worry about it, I'm not surprised. The last quote I got to change the plugs was $1000.00, and they said that they basically had to pull the engine to change them!" (And this was in 1970 dollars!!) Once again, only Ford....

Back to that Howell/TIM ignition. Wouldn't there be an electronic way to set the dwell so that a person wouldn't need the multiple magnet setup to get the proper amount of ignition dwell??

AV8TOR