When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a quick method for removing spark plugs. I've been working working on smallblock Chevy's with headers for years and have found a few tools to be extremely useful that make removal very easy. This of course is after removing the pita plug wires. I timed myself and got them out in 12 minutes.
The funny looking tool is called a socket adapter made by gear wrench. Both extensions are necessary because you'll use different combinations on different plugs. Installation is also extremely fast fast using these tools.
A tip for installing is to use a short piece of 3/8 fuel hose just to start plugs threading (see picture).
I hope this helps someone and saves some knuckles.
I might need a little more explanation. You took a 13mm ratcheting wrench... added the adapter on the top left to essentially make a narrow ratchet?
Yes. Just the right amount of spacing with the extensions to give plenty of room for all plugs. Thought this might be helpful after reading that it took some guy 30 minutes to remove spark plug number 7.
I have a quick method for removing spark plugs. I've been working working on smallblock Chevy's with headers for years and have found a few tools to be extremely useful that make removal very easy. This of course is after removing the pita plug wires. I timed myself and got them out in 12 minutes.
The funny looking tool is called a socket adapter made by gear wrench. Both extensions are necessary because you'll use different combinations on different plugs. Installation is also extremely fast fast using these tools.
A tip for installing is to use a short piece of 3/8 fuel hose just to start plugs threading (see picture).
I hope this helps someone and saves some knuckles.
that seems a little slow. Try oil change and plugs under 12min then come back.
Back in the day when these cars were due for their first plug change, I was working as a Tech at a dealership and saw quite a few of them. I could do plugs and wires (remove and replace) on just about any Chevy V8 or V6 in 15 minutes or less. I can still do that on a friends LS powered 1970's Datsun Z car (long tube headers, and tighter than a C5 under the hood)
Instead of that gear wrench gizmo, I just use a flex head ratcheting box wrench directly on the (3/4" / 19mm?) hex of the spark plug socket for some of the tighter spots I also have a Craftsman spark plug socket (2 actually, one in each size) with a universal built into the thing which makes some of the most difficult plugs much easier (S10/Blazer 4.3L V6, plug #3 behind the steering shaft is the memorable one that is easy with that socket and absolutely impossible with any other tools). I also prefer a flex head ratchet for the socket drive for spark plug jobs.
For those interested, the sockets with the universal joints are Craftsman 43322 and 43323. GearWrench makes the same basic design, GearWrench 80404 and 80405.
I found it easier to remove the fresh air pump and a few of the things attached to it , to get to the plugs on my car. I am very far away from ever considering a timed event repair, good thing the plugs last 100,000 miles, so no big loss of face.
I do commend the poster's efficiency , I just used flex joints and extensions, no thumb wheel drives. a rubber section in the dedicated spark plug socket, along with a flex drive allowed me to avoid having to find a section of hose to position and start the plugs without cross threading.
Last edited by strand rider; Sep 21, 2021 at 08:53 PM.
12 minute spark plug removal
