Are the spark plugs under the top of the motor on my lincpln ls, and if so will i need a gasket to put back on when i change them

How many miles? Have you ever replaced the timing chain? Also look for a spark.. take any sparkplug, plug into one of the wires, lay on the motor and have someone crank while you watch for a spark. No spark? It could still be the timing, or an ignition problem.

The spark plugs in the v6 can become an involved job as the upper intake manifold. The LS uses a Coil on Plug (COP) ignition system, meaning that the spark plugs are located under the ignition coil

Oil on the outside of Spark Plugs in the valve cover
well, requires you remove the valve cover &
change the gaskets

When you changed spark plugs did you notice any oil on the insulator or wire plug? Or any oil in the hole that the spark plugs are in? This model of LS were built with gaskets that seem to always fail. Lincoln came out with new gaskets in 2002 or 2003. If there was any oil in the above mentioned places your coils (COP Coil on plug) could be shorting out due to the oil degrading the insulator on the cops.The fix for this is to replace the valve cover gasket set with the upgraded set. Also it's almost impossible to find which coil is bad, and I recommend replacing all eight of the COPS. You can find them online pretty reasonable. I have used these and they seem to perform as good as the Dealer parts, but at a fraction of the cost. This solved the problem on my 2001 LS V8. Also these cars are known to have problems with the timing chains, which could also cause your problem. The adjuster shoes that keep the timing chain tight are plastic and wear out and come loose. Some times causing the engine to jump time and in the worst case could allow the pistons and the valves to come in contact. That will destroy the engine.

I have a 2004 Lincoln LS with the 3.0 engine,bought used a couple of years ago,lost power,the hose that goes to the PVC valve broke at clamp in front,found a new hose from Ebay for 50 bucks,I fixed it.The guy that I bought it from had someone put new spark plugs in and they didn't put hose back on right and the valve cover gasket wasn't put on right which makes it leak oil now,plus the radiator is leaking at top on the left,so now I have to add anti freeze often till I can fix it,that's a common problem with our Lincolns.Open your hood,at the top right by windshield is your antifreeze over flow container,check,it's probably out,I use ZEREX G-O5 from Advance Auto parts.Open hood and look for antifreeze around and you will find the leak,mine is to the left side,down a little,but toward top of radiator.

Remove coil covers,by removing (6) 7mm screws. Covers are on top of valve covers

Remove (1) 7mm screw holding each COP Ignition Coil

Remove spark plugs.

Motorcraft--AGSP32FSM
NGK--FR5AP-11E Both one in the same

NGK--6569 (FR5AP-11E) Special Plug,different center electrode diameter

there is a flat plate on top of the valve covers you need to remove then remove each coil the plugs are under the coils

its not a easy job, but you need to get the gasket so it wont leak, theirs some tutorials online, if you dont want them to burn out, dont put the covers back on when you change them, it creates a suction and heat which makes oil spill and burn the coils

Check the COP(coil on plugs) boots. The 2000 and 2001 LS are known for oil soaked cop boots. The valve cover gaskets used on these years become brittle and crack which lets motor oil seep into the spark plug wells. The wells fill up with oil which soaks the boots that connect the spark plug with the coil causing the spark to jump before it gets to the plug.If not fixed it can cause the coil to short out.
I had the same starting problem on my 2001 LS. Then I noticed smoke comming from behind the right side valve cover. Then a few weeks later the engine started to miss. It's a good idea to check this and fix it early.

it is down under the intake manifold. the intake manifold must be removed to get to it. this vehicle is known for developing a vacum leak in the elbow hose that connects to pcv valve, so ive done a few.