Spark Plug socket
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass Oregon
Spark Plug socket
I have read the horror stories of changing the one difficult spark plug that eveyone swears at (Have not had to try it myself yet), anyway I was reading this months hot rod magazine((April) and on page 128 there is a new spark plug socket with an open side so you can slide it over the plug and use a 5/8 inch wrench to loosen or tighten the plug. Looks like it might make it a little easier.... Sure.......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Thats what I use. Got it on Ebay. It does make the job somewhat easy but you still can't get the open socket on that plug (rear passenger side).
BTW, my daughter lives just outside of Grants Pass, in Williams Or.
BTW, my daughter lives just outside of Grants Pass, in Williams Or.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
I have changed the plugs on two 96 CE LT4's and although the rear plug on the passenger side is probably the most difficult, it was not that hard.
My method is to remove the AIR tube off the exhaust manifold and from the rear of the intake manifold. I also remove the plug wire holders from the heads. This gives enough room to get in there with a standard plug socket and rachet. Although I would like to do something with the clamp bolt that holds the fuel lines opposite the #6 and #8 plugs....man that thing can sure cut.....
Later,
LannyL81
My method is to remove the AIR tube off the exhaust manifold and from the rear of the intake manifold. I also remove the plug wire holders from the heads. This gives enough room to get in there with a standard plug socket and rachet. Although I would like to do something with the clamp bolt that holds the fuel lines opposite the #6 and #8 plugs....man that thing can sure cut.....
Later,
LannyL81
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,198
Likes: 10
From: Homestead Fl
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Last year I had my C4 serviced by a local Chevy dealer and they supposedly changed the plugs. They did a 60 thousand mile service on it. It still had a slight irregulariy when stopped at a light so I figured it could be the plug wires. Got a new set of Delcos and changed the wires out one by one. Whadda ya know; one plug wasn't changed. The tough one. I should have gone back and asked them for a seven plug tune up discount. Anyway, new plugs and wires still left me with a slight rough idle when stopped at a light. I learned to live with it. Is that normal for a 1990 L98 ?????
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 798
Likes: 116
From: OAKLEY CA
Rough Idle
Originally Posted by Tommy T-Bone
Last year I had my C4 serviced by a local Chevy dealer and they supposedly changed the plugs. They did a 60 thousand mile service on it. It still had a slight irregulariy when stopped at a light so I figured it could be the plug wires. Got a new set of Delcos and changed the wires out one by one. Whadda ya know; one plug wasn't changed. The tough one. I should have gone back and asked them for a seven plug tune up discount. Anyway, new plugs and wires still left me with a slight rough idle when stopped at a light. I learned to live with it. Is that normal for a 1990 L98 ?????
It could also be your alternator, a/c compressor bearing,air pump, or water pump bearing going out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,198
Likes: 10
From: Homestead Fl
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by ED HEISER
If you mean the rpm varies between 600 and 900 randomly, that is what my 88 does. If you mean it vibrates or shakes the car, that is not normal. If it stumbles when you step on the gas or come to a stop, that is also not normal. Mine had a slight stumble when not warmed up that is now gone after I added 4 oz of Lucas Power Steering Additive and new PS fluid (after sucking out the old ps fluid with a turkey baster). Not only is my "Morning Sickness" (unboosted, sticky steering) gone, but it steers with less effort all of the time, and hasn't stumbled since. I guess the ps pump is working less hard when cold.
It could also be your alternator, a/c compressor bearing,air pump, or water pump bearing going out.
It could also be your alternator, a/c compressor bearing,air pump, or water pump bearing going out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
I took the metal tip off of the spark plug that screws on and it gave me a little more room. My DRM headers is only difficult with the #4 cylinder. Also SLP makes a shorty socket that works great by Craftsman.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Originally Posted by RONR
... anyway I was reading this months hot rod magazine((April) and on
page 128 there is a new spark plug socket with an open side so you
can slide it over the plug and use a 5/8 inch wrench to loosen or
tighten the plug..
page 128 there is a new spark plug socket with an open side so you
can slide it over the plug and use a 5/8 inch wrench to loosen or
tighten the plug..
Thanks for the review, 'elefkow'.
Some recent threads included tips to make plug removal easier.
Accel offers plugs with short insulators.
.
