How do you change spark plugs on 1997 Continental?

Well, if its anything like my 98 Lincoln, with the 32 valve intech v8, you have to pull the cover plate off the valve cover. Its the plate right there on the front of the enging that says 32 valve Intech V8. There are two nuts, or bolts that hold that cover plate on. Under that you will see the coil packs. Carefully lift eveything up, you'll notice that the spark plug boots are connected to the coil packs. When removing them from the spark plugs, be careful that you don't rip the boot. (I had to replace a couple of the boots recently. I thought a spark plug was fowling out. Here the boot had developed a crack/tear and spark was arching from the boot to the valve cover wall). But once you get the boot off, the spark plug is right there. You'll need and extention to get to the plug. The other four plugs are on the opposite of the engine, back by the firewall. Hope this helps. Good luck.