remedial spark plug help

[colley_cibber]

I have a 2000 V6 Flex Fuel Ranger. I am going to attempt to change the spark plugs myself; this is the first vehicle that I'm attempting to do maintenance on myself. Last time I was at the mechanic, he said I need new spark plugs and wires.

On top of the engine, I see 6 boots surrounding the firing order diagram. I took one off, and there is a brass thing inside the boot (but no wire readily visible). I looked into the hole where the boot was, and the thing inside didn't really look like a spark plug. I have the Haynes repair manual, but it seems to assume a base amount of competence that I don't have yet.

Am I even on track here?

 

[JohnnyO]

If I'm reading you right, the spark plug is at the other end of the plug wire from what you pulled off and looked at. It is down by the cylinder head and exhaust.
Best to do one wire and one plug at a time. It's easier to mix them up than you might think if you take them all out at once. When you take the old plug wire off, hold it next to the new set so you grab the new one of the proper length. Gap the plugs correctly, the info will be in the owners manual and also on the underhood emissions sticker. Start threading each new plug by hand first to make sure it's threaded in correctly, then use the wrench. Real snug is good but you don't want to crank it in there like King Kong either.
I tend to destroy at least a few plug wires every time but with shop labor being what it is, it's actually cheaper for me to buy new wires even if I don't need them than it is to pay a shop to put in new plugs and not destroy an old wire or two...or three....

 

[colley_cibber]

Well, it took me 4 hours today, but I got the new ones in. Cylinders 4 and 5 are a real b***h to get to.

Only problem is the porcelain on one of the old plugs shattered and it's possible that some got into the cylinder (I wiped as much as I could out with a clean finger). I also broke a few of the brackets that hold the wires together at different points, so I may see if I can get replacements (if it's worth getting, that is).

Thanks for the help!