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View Poll Results: change out your own spark plugs or take them somwher to get changed?
Change them out your self
86.04%
Take them to a mechanic
13.96%
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Change your own spark plugs or take it to get serviced??

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Old 01-14-2006, 02:35 PM
  #81  
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Well...My hands right now are all scratched and in pain, lol...I still have to get that #8 since it got dark before I could get it
Old 01-14-2006, 05:17 PM
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do it yourself or get someone to do it on the side for 50 bucks or a case of beer.
Old 01-14-2006, 08:23 PM
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it was hard enough to get the dirvers side ones in. my hands are all messed up, but if you can get it in there from the bottom then try that. its not gonna be easy tho.
Old 01-22-2006, 08:07 PM
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do it yourself. its not so hard. the first time will be a little tricky but once you do that it will get easier every time. plus you feel good that you did work on your own and you didnt let some jerk not put in the #8 plug.
Old 01-22-2006, 08:26 PM
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I didnt think this was a serious question at first, but definatly do it yourself. If you cant reach the 8, then make it easy on yourself and remove the coil pack bracket and make more room, or just pull the very last coil pack off of the bracket
Old 01-23-2006, 09:50 AM
  #86  
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It's not hard to do Brother...the easiest way is to do Cyls 6 and 8 from underneath with the car on ramps. You should be able to get it done in about 45 mins. Just a bit of advice...in my experience, stick with AC-Delco Iridium plugs...nothing else I've used works as well.

Black 98 SS
Old 01-23-2006, 10:26 AM
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Just finished changin them out myself this past weekend and it took me about 8 hours total, 4 hours on Sat and 4 hours on Sunday but this was my first time. When i started it seemed impossible to ever get the passenger side done. I could not get any from underneath the car either with the stock exhaust manifolds. Gettin the wires out was a b!tch, tools barely fit, much less my arms. But i got it done and saved myself some $$. I also have the peace of mind to know that a mechanic didn't leave the old 7th and 8th plugs in
Old 01-23-2006, 11:13 AM
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Try using this tool. There is no need to ratchet at all so it kind of solves the no room thing. Just stick it on there and twist the handle. It works pretty well. Hope this helps!!

Justin

Try this tool
Old 01-23-2006, 11:14 AM
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i changed mine myself. and seriously if i can do it then anyone can. it took me 8 hours to do it over 2 days. but i had tons of problems w/ getting my boots off. if the boots wouldn't have been a pain i bet i would have been done in about 2 hours max
Old 01-24-2006, 04:23 PM
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I always change my own sparkplugs. Removing the coilpacks always makes the job easier plus you get the satisfaction of knowing that the job was done right! Then you can crank it up and enjoy an icecold longneck while you listen to her purr!!!!
Old 01-24-2006, 09:30 PM
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DIY DIY DIY, save the money for MODS!!!
Old 01-24-2006, 11:08 PM
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There's no reason to ever pay someone to change them again.

It can be done by anyone in 30 minutes and with very little effort.

The tool of the year for F-Body's:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/tools-fabrication/426342-indexible-head-ratchet-8-spark-plug-out-back-5-minutes.html
Old 02-01-2006, 11:11 AM
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do it yrself- dont get me wrong- its a bitch beyond all comparison- hell, the last 2 pass side ones u cant even begin to access from above the hood. i had to go out adn buy 3/4" ratcheting box wrench to get the last plug. (accessed from under the car, slid between molded strut mount area and nice sharp piece of my T56.

Dont spend money when u dont have to!
-Unless you have no hands/arms, but what r u doing driving anyway??
Old 02-01-2006, 01:24 PM
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It is cheaper for me to take it to a shop. When I actually have 5 hours of free time (read; never), I sure as hell ain't spending it under and inside the engine bay of my car.
Old 02-03-2006, 10:23 PM
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it's tight, and you'll end up bleeding...but it feels rewarding to know you did it
Old 02-04-2006, 12:38 AM
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Originally Posted by illy5603
It is cheaper for me to take it to a shop. When I actually have 5 hours of free time (read; never), I sure as hell ain't spending it under and inside the engine bay of my car.
all 8 plugs, out and back in, 30 minutes with this tool. Link fixed.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=426342
Old 02-04-2006, 01:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Quickin
all 8 plugs, out and back in, 30 minutes with this tool. Link fixed.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=426342
If you're going to get that, why not pay 4 times as much and get a Snap-On indexable ratchet with a comfort grip handle...
Old 02-04-2006, 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by CashMoney
Spark plug socket, extension, U-joint, and ratchet. I'm a skinny guy so its fairly easy.

That's all you need other than anti-sieze when re-installing them.You can remove all of them from up top.
Old 02-04-2006, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by 2002CobraKiller
Do most of you all change out your own spark plugs or take it somewhere to get chaned ive been calling around and everyones telling me the same thing around 185 to 215 $ just for labor. For those of you that do change them out your selves whats the best way to do it, i know those back to on the passenger side are really tight in there, any help would be appreciated.
1) Ratchet
2) Swivel
3) Extension
4) Socket
5) Anti-sieze...for re-install

You can get all of them from up top, just remove the coil pack studs(pointed ones)..to save your arms a bit of trauma. Get the right extension/swivel combo and go to town. First time took me an hour, now I can do it in 15-20 minutes.
Old 02-05-2006, 08:49 AM
  #100  
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I use a 3/8" drive flex head ratchet from craftsman, a MAC spark plug socket (the shorter one that doesn't have a swivel built in), a 3" wobble extension from Snap On (or whomever). Some plugs I use the extension, some I don't. Remove whatever gets in your way, coil packs, AIR tubing, etc.


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