JimBRO

Ok, how does the average Joe (or Jim in this case), change his spark plugs? Ramped up my '74 350 190HP SB yesterday. Was only able to hit two on the drivers side and three on the passenger side. Physically could not get a deep (spark plug) socket into the other locations. Before I bought the vette, I always thought I was mechanically inclined. It's always something challenging me with this car.

Thanks for any input
JimBRO

James

I purchased a 5/8 spark plug socket from Sears that on the one end where you put a ratchit you can also use a wrench and then I had a guy that I know mill about a 1/2 inch off the socket. This gave me the clearance I needed to get to all of my spark plugs and either use a ratchit or wrench.

Pedro'74

Jim,

For some of the plugs you should be able to put a socket on the plug and turn it with an open wrench; for others you may need one of these, sold by Eastwood:



-Pedro

john's '81 mouse

Jack up front of car, and put on ramps or stands. Changing plugs on vettes is usually easier from underside of car. May have to remove heat shields if you have any installed.

bigvette1

Another option is to jack up the front end and push the rubber splash flaps over the upper A-frames out of the way and with about 2' of extentions you should be able to reach the front two on each side from the wheel well. A lot easier than the scuffed and cut knuckles.

norvalwilhelm

Another handy piece of equipment for changing plugs is a 4 inch length of gas hose. One that slides nicely over the ceramic part of the plug. It gives you something to hold onto. I use it to start all new plugs and remove the old ones once they are loosened. I have a variety of sockets, some modified to get at certain plugs plus extensions.
Good luck but get a piece of hose.

R. Bruno

I remember it being a pain but not impossible. If you don't already have them, get either a socket with the swivel built in or a swivel that goes between the ratchet and the socket. If memory serves me that is the way I did it, but you must go from underneath on some of the plugs. May also want to remove the starter and ignition shields and while you have it all off change the wires.

Monkeywrench

With my headers one two of the plugs I have to use a deepwell socket but turn the end of the socket (it has a hex) with an opened end wrench. Can't fit the ratched on the end. Even then it's a bit tight.

A2Shark

It's safe to say that I'm NOT gifted mechanically. I was able to change all of the plugs easily on my '76 by getting at part of them from under the car using an assortment of rachet extensions.

Brian

skinsfan

Many cuts on my hands from (ignition sheilds that I bent to hell) and scrapped knuckels from when the wrench slips changing plugs from below the car... now I have the mechanic do it.

Chris Fowler

I've got a socket with a u-joint in it. Allows you to bend the socket to get it into place.

With that I can change all 8 spark plugs from the top.

hdpete98

You small block guys think plugs are tuff?

Try a 73 / 454 with ac, ps, pb?

I found hell in my garage.

killain

Because of the size of the SB chevy head, you need a 5/8"socket and a rachet and a 1" or 1.5" 3/8 extension so that the rachet is clear of the head.

lyonsh

Snap on, MAC, and MATCO all sell a "double jointed" spark plug socket that has two of the impact style (ball, not u-joint - the ball type are much smoother, IMHO) swivel heads. That thing and a flexible head ratchet have saved my life, or at least my knuckles and sanity, several times. :yesnod:

Buffalo Dude

Did the same on my '75. was a pain to do, but still doable. we kind of had to squeeze in a little, we'd hit the steering box and ignition shielding and all sorts of things. Definetly easier with the car off the ground. U-joints might be good for this.

daniel77350

I just do it from the top...It's not very difficult unless you have big hands or arn't willing to do crazy things like hold your tongue a certain way as you stand on one leg and think "I didn't know my arm could bend this way."

But its still doable.

Daniel

Chris O'

15 mins to change 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 & 8 plugs.............1 hour to change No 4! :mad :mad

Get headers, that's what I did to fix it. :)