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Changing Spark Plugs

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Old Mar 21, 2010 | 12:34 PM
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Default Changing Spark Plugs

I have a 1999 Camaro SS and went to change the plugs yesterday. I got the driver side done, but can't see any way to get to the ones on the passenger side. What do you have to do, drop the tranny or something (LOL)? Any help is appreciated.
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Old Mar 21, 2010 | 01:33 PM
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You have to take the intake off, then the passengers side head.



j/k

Its simply a BITCH. Some people get the rear plug from the bottom. Otherwise, depending on how tight the spark plugs were put in last time, that will dictate how hard it will be to get them out this time.

Do yourself a favor and put them in lightly....do not tighten them down too much. Hand tight spinning a socket, then literally a little snug with the ratchet.

.
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Old Mar 21, 2010 | 02:03 PM
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A small ratchet and a spark plug socket with a u-joint should help. Removal of the coil packs/ emissions will help too
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Old Mar 21, 2010 | 02:08 PM
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for number the back one of the passenger side i went underneath the car, having a lift at any moment is win but that was the biggest pain, plus when i removed the stock wires they all came apart with little to no force =/ and now she's a beast
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Old Mar 21, 2010 | 02:12 PM
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I went thru the bottom. I was tearing up my hand from going thru the top.
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Old Mar 21, 2010 | 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Joshiedoom
A small ratchet and a spark plug socket with a u-joint should help. Removal of the coil packs/ emissions will help too
+1, remove coil packs w/bracket and A.I.R. injection pipe.
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Old Mar 21, 2010 | 03:49 PM
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I did not remove anything. . . . Except for the AIR pipe on the passesnger's side. Did the last one from the bottom. . . .


It took me about 2-3 hours total, including replaceing the wires.


I thought it was going to be worse. . . . . . . .
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Old Mar 21, 2010 | 03:52 PM
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Pain in the rear.
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 02:59 PM
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remove the coil packs, there are 4 or 5 nuts requiring a 10mm socket or wrench that undo to get the coil pack off. The worst is the rear most nut, which is on a stud i think, and you can only turn it 20 degrees at a time so it'll take you the most time getting that off. Once out, don't reinstall that rearmost stud, the other 4 studs are plenty.
And remove the AIR pipe coming off the exhaust manifold, do yourself a favor and go to the dealer and buy a package of the AIR pipe gaskets for like $10. Pull the AIR pipes off each side, clean both mating surfaces- on the pipe and on the manifold- with a wire brush on a drill till they're shiny clean. When you reinstall, coat both sides of the new metallic AIR pipe gasket with antiseize and tighten down real light on the AIR pipe bolts. This way next plug change they'll come right off no problem. First time is the bitch getting the rear most stud off the coil packs and having to clean the AIR pipe, but after that you'll be able to do a plug change in 30-40 minutes.
And for the rear most on passenger side, I think it's easiest using a low-profile 3/8 ratchet (mine's a standard craftsman) with a 1-1/2" extension from the top, worst is you have to do it completely by feel but it's not that hard.
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 03:12 PM
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You guys are doing it the hard way..

13 minutes here..and that's hot at the track.





I'm just messin..that **** sucks when it's all in stock form..
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 04:41 PM
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I change them in 25 minutes and could probably do it faster if I had too. You need the right tools first. A flex head 3/8 drive ratchet, a 3 inch extention, a 3/4 inch extention, spark plug socket, and a shorty 3/8 drive ratchet. I get number 1-7 from the top and number 8 from the bottom. I do not have any emissions stuff in the way and I relocated my coils which makes it much easier too. For guys with the coils in the stock location you will need to take the coil and mounting bracketrs on the passenger side off..when you take them off for the first time take the bolt from the last coil bracket closest to the fire wall under the cowl and throw it away..it is too much of a pain in the azz to fool with more than once. You will want to pull those pointed plastic push/pull fasteners that hold the plastic piece and weather stripping to the cowl up so they do not cut your arms. It is not as bad and everyone says it is...


Last edited by slt200mph; Apr 24, 2010 at 10:07 AM.
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 06:11 PM
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I didnt remove anything I figured it would take longer to remove everything and put it back together rather than just changing the plugs. It did tear my arm up when I was doing it from the top too so I ended up getting the rear one from the bottom. I think its just practice lol
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 08:06 AM
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Merv, that AC box is a mother$#!&*. Thats 85 percent of the problem.
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 08:27 AM
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http://www.installuniversity.com/ins...g_and_wire.htm

You newbies might want to check out installuniversity.com or ls1howto.com
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Joshiedoom
Merv, that AC box is a mother$#!&*. Thats 85 percent of the problem.
What AC Box?
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by the_merv
What AC Box?


Hmm... template laying around anywhere?
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 09:02 AM
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I like it Merv!
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by the_merv
You guys are doing it the hard way..

13 minutes here..and that's hot at the track.





I'm just messin..that **** sucks when it's all in stock form..


I was gonna say, WTF. . . . . Then I read the bottom part. LOL



That engine bay is bare, lucky bastard
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Joshiedoom


Hmm... template laying around anywhere?
I don't have a Templete..but I will make one when I swap cars..

Funny thing about that Template is when I was about to install that Panel I asked, and no one needed one..then a week later I got all kinds of questions..
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 09:51 AM
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oh the joys of deleting the a/c

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