I just got a plug job!!!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
I just got a plug job!!!
Just finished my plugs on my '91. Took about 2 hours and even though I was a littleshaky with doing it, no problem. Took my time, drank some coffee, and pet the dog in between each plug. Patience and trial and error was the best teacher. By the way, when the job was
finished, the coffee turned into beer. Life is good.
finished, the coffee turned into beer. Life is good.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Clermont Fl
The way I finished the last 2 (furthest 2 on the psgr side) was to remove the back and middle skirt of the wheel well. The last one (91 Vette) was tricky - I tried to use a long connector on the ratchet and broke the plug (was at a wrong angle, I'll never do that again). I used a socket wrench that flexed at the head and squeezed my hand through the wheel well.
Next time it'll be a lot quicker.
Next time it'll be a lot quicker.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
I think it goes a lot easier with the heads off and it's about the only way I've been able to use a torque wrench on the plugs. Otherwise, removing the passenger's inner fender, the compressor (if you have the Nippondenso) and accumulator as an assembly and setting them aside, gives you a little better access at #2. For #8, you can remove the EGR tube, but even that can be a challenge and of course you'll need new gaskets. I also keep a handful of the wire retainer clips on hand and sometimes I unbolt the clip mounts from the head too, particularly if I'm replacing wires.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
I thought the #8 plug was easier than the #2 plug. I anticipated the #8 plug being difficult so I made sure I had all of the necessary tools ready. One thing I noticed was the old plugs (AC Delco FR5LS) had anti-seize on them which made them easier to get out. When I put the new plugs (AC Delco Rapid fire #5's) back in I did the same thing. The one concern I had was the amount of torque need for the aluminum heads. I consulted an ole horse mechanic and he gave me an old spark plug boot and said I should put the plug in with the boot (because of the aluminum heads, and it had a better feel than with the socket) till the boot slips and then tighten to 1 o'clock with a standard ratchet wrench and that's about 15 lbs of torque. He also said it would be hard to find a torque wrench that could calibrate that low. Whether he was right or not, I don't know but the job did go easier. I did take the inner wells out and that made the job smoother.
Try it, but be patient.
Try it, but be patient.
Last edited by jrscott; Mar 2, 2005 at 12:10 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Don't say that too loud outside of San Francisco
I just got a plug job!!!
But seriously, if plugs will turn coffee into beer, I'm going to the parts store right now.
That's the modern day equivalent of turning water into wine, right?
But seriously, if plugs will turn coffee into beer, I'm going to the parts store right now.
That's the modern day equivalent of turning water into wine, right?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
This may sound strange, but I've found that some of the plugs on the passenger side are easier for me to get to if I sorta lay across the motor (starting from the driver side). Weird, but it works.