This weekend I was given the blessing to not have to work. So yesterday afternoon I swapped out my spark plugs. It was discussed a little in another thread entitled "NOS baby!" To say there is an easy way to remove the spark plugs is a lie. There is a hard way, and a not-quite-so-hard way.
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TR1 Hemi hit it right on the nail when he said a 3" extension is too small and a 6" is too long. Well, he was right in that a 4.5 extension is ideal. I found in my tool box a 1.5" and 3" extension and put them together for the perfect length.
Here is my tool list and accompaning photo...
1. 1/4" and 3/8" standard ratchets
2. 1/4" and 3/8" finger ratchets
3. 1.5", 3", and 6" extensions
4. 10mm standard socket for coil securing bolts
5. 5/8" deepwell socket for spark plugs
6. Pen magnet
7. Spark plug gapping tools
8. Anti-Seize lubricant
9. Dielectric grease (not absolutely necessary)
http://members.cox.net/s281sc/Tools.jpg">
[b]Tips For Removal[/b]
Remove the boots and coil using the 1/4
I have found finger ratchets are worth their weight in gold when removing bolts in tight places where your fingers alone cannot provide enough leverage/torque to turn something.
Best method I found was connecting the 1.5" extension to the 5/8" socket first, drop the socket and 1.5" combo into the spark plug well as one piece and then connect the 3" once the socket/1.5" is already in there. Unscrew until the plug is completely threaded out and use the pen magnet to fish the spark plug out.
Remember to use anti-seize when going back in and some dielectric grease on the plug connection/wire.
When re-tightening the plugs, I found a swivel headed ratchet helped on a couple of the plugs to get around other stuff in the engine compartment.
Note - Profanity is not only recommended when removing these spark plugs, but strongly encouraged!
TR1 Hemi hit it right on the nail when he said a 3" extension is too small and a 6" is too long. Well, he was right in that a 4.5 extension is ideal. I found in my tool box a 1.5" and 3" extension and put them together for the perfect length.
Here is my tool list and accompaning photo...
1. 1/4" and 3/8" standard ratchets
2. 1/4" and 3/8" finger ratchets
3. 1.5", 3", and 6" extensions
4. 10mm standard socket for coil securing bolts
5. 5/8" deepwell socket for spark plugs
6. Pen magnet
7. Spark plug gapping tools
8. Anti-Seize lubricant
9. Dielectric grease (not absolutely necessary)
http://members.cox.net/s281sc/Tools.jpg">
[b]Tips For Removal[/b]
Remove the boots and coil using the 1/4
I have found finger ratchets are worth their weight in gold when removing bolts in tight places where your fingers alone cannot provide enough leverage/torque to turn something.
Best method I found was connecting the 1.5" extension to the 5/8" socket first, drop the socket and 1.5" combo into the spark plug well as one piece and then connect the 3" once the socket/1.5" is already in there. Unscrew until the plug is completely threaded out and use the pen magnet to fish the spark plug out.
Remember to use anti-seize when going back in and some dielectric grease on the plug connection/wire.
When re-tightening the plugs, I found a swivel headed ratchet helped on a couple of the plugs to get around other stuff in the engine compartment.
Note - Profanity is not only recommended when removing these spark plugs, but strongly encouraged!
