Swivel Fitting for Plug Wrench
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Swivel Fitting for Plug Wrench
I'm about to change the plugs. Many of you have mentioned the swivel wrench to get out plug #7.
Do you need a 90 degree swivel or will a lesser swivel do the job. I have a plug wrench that gives about 45 degrees flex.
Do you need a 90 degree swivel or will a lesser swivel do the job. I have a plug wrench that gives about 45 degrees flex.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland Tennessee
You can also buy a plug socket that has a double swivel, I bought one off the tool truck, ie: Snap-On, MAC, ect. they may have them at sears or something too. Great little tool, having the right tool(s) make the job(s) much easier,... and nice
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: LEBANON PA.
Swivel fitting for Plug Wrench
Hi DEE Gee,
Snap -on has a 5/8" 6 point double swivel socket p/n s9721 which is supposed to make removing #7 plug a breeze. I think its about $40. dollars. (good p/n its on their site plus a picture).Everyone swears by it.Only have 13k on the clock on my 01 coupe. so when the time comes I might buy it. A Mac tools driver gave me this p/n bduup206a(double swivel 5/8" 6 point) but the last time I was at their web site I could not find it, which means he gave me the wrong p/n.
I think you could use a standard universal along with disconnecting the AIR valve pipe connector located right in the way of #7 cyclinder.If your using the ac-delco plug 41-985 the gap must be .40 & not .60. Use anti- seize for the next plug change.Whats your opinion about disconnecting the AIR pipe & a regular universal? I would use the rubber hose trick to start the threading & removal of the plug as it looks very easy to drop a plug at installation.
Hope this helps you.
robsc501
ret. aircraft engine technician(piston type)
Snap -on has a 5/8" 6 point double swivel socket p/n s9721 which is supposed to make removing #7 plug a breeze. I think its about $40. dollars. (good p/n its on their site plus a picture).Everyone swears by it.Only have 13k on the clock on my 01 coupe. so when the time comes I might buy it. A Mac tools driver gave me this p/n bduup206a(double swivel 5/8" 6 point) but the last time I was at their web site I could not find it, which means he gave me the wrong p/n.
I think you could use a standard universal along with disconnecting the AIR valve pipe connector located right in the way of #7 cyclinder.If your using the ac-delco plug 41-985 the gap must be .40 & not .60. Use anti- seize for the next plug change.Whats your opinion about disconnecting the AIR pipe & a regular universal? I would use the rubber hose trick to start the threading & removal of the plug as it looks very easy to drop a plug at installation.
Hope this helps you.
robsc501
ret. aircraft engine technician(piston type)
Last edited by robsc501; Apr 28, 2008 at 11:00 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
No, a 45 degree swivel will be fine. Just be sure you have a couple extensions to make the reach easy. I used 2 4-inch extensions and was fine. The job's not nearly as hard as some make it out to be. Just take your time and you'll be fine. I did all 8 plugs in about an hour, and I had never done an LS1 before.
The most challenging thing I ran into was getting the plug wires off -- those suckers were on there and it's tough to get a good grip on the boots. I was replacing wires at the same time, so I wasn't too worried about damaging them -- but if you're re-using the wires, be careful.
Rich
The most challenging thing I ran into was getting the plug wires off -- those suckers were on there and it's tough to get a good grip on the boots. I was replacing wires at the same time, so I wasn't too worried about damaging them -- but if you're re-using the wires, be careful.
Rich
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 191
From: Vienna VA
I just did this last week and didn't really need any special tools. I used a regular spark plug socket, a universal joint, and a couple of extensions (one 3" and one 9").
This was the toughest, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. My hands are thin enough to get the spark plug in by hand (just barely). I don't know how people with big or "wide" hands can do this plug. There's not much room even when you move the rubber hoses out of the way.
This was the toughest, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. My hands are thin enough to get the spark plug in by hand (just barely). I don't know how people with big or "wide" hands can do this plug. There's not much room even when you move the rubber hoses out of the way.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: LEBANON PA.
Swivel fitting for Plug Wrench
Hi Rich,
Thanks for the info.Now DEE Gee & I will not have to spend $40 for one socket.
I think I will put some silicone grease on the boots today to avoid busted knuckles in the future.I will be using the rubber hose as an extension to avoid dropping the plug when I change my plugs as I have big hands.
robsc501
Thanks for the info.Now DEE Gee & I will not have to spend $40 for one socket.
I think I will put some silicone grease on the boots today to avoid busted knuckles in the future.I will be using the rubber hose as an extension to avoid dropping the plug when I change my plugs as I have big hands.
robsc501
Last edited by robsc501; Apr 28, 2008 at 10:50 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
This is what I bought, cheap, but they work and I only use them for this job
http://www.monstronix.com/kti22048-pr-52800.html
http://www.monstronix.com/sun3400-pr-60707.html
http://www.monstronix.com/kti22048-pr-52800.html
http://www.monstronix.com/sun3400-pr-60707.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
Race Director
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From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
The hardest one to take out I found was the one by the driver's side firewall. I used a regular spark plug socket a universal joint and 4" estension. went right in. Try it before you go out and buy anything. My .02 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
Safety Car
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From: Louisville Kentucky
Race Director
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From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
No, a 45 degree swivel will be fine. Just be sure you have a couple extensions to make the reach easy. I used 2 4-inch extensions and was fine. The job's not nearly as hard as some make it out to be. Just take your time and you'll be fine. I did all 8 plugs in about an hour, and I had never done an LS1 before.
The most challenging thing I ran into was getting the plug wires off -- those suckers were on there and it's tough to get a good grip on the boots. I was replacing wires at the same time, so I wasn't too worried about damaging them -- but if you're re-using the wires, be careful.
Rich
The most challenging thing I ran into was getting the plug wires off -- those suckers were on there and it's tough to get a good grip on the boots. I was replacing wires at the same time, so I wasn't too worried about damaging them -- but if you're re-using the wires, be careful.
Rich
Everything he said. This isn't like a Camaro, even with OEM manifolds I have no trouble changing the plugs at all.