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changing plugs with long tube Headers?

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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 08:19 PM
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Default changing plugs with long tube Headers?

so how are you guys going about changing your plugs with long tube headers?

passenger side looks like a pain in the ***!!
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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 08:23 PM
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If you still have a/c it's a pain in the *** no matter what. Pulling the coil packs off makes it easier on the knuckles. You can also reach #8 from the top that way.

On the driver side I end up unplugging the coolant two sensor at the front of the head. It helps get a little more swing on #1 and easier to get to it.
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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 08:25 PM
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Coil packs off for sure. I also find it easier with Headers than with the stock manifolds.
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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 08:31 PM
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just talked about this at a car meet, I can get mine out from the top, but a guy told me he changes his from bottom of car.
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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 08:33 PM
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haha....i went out there tonight and was gonna change them but looked at the passenger side and was like WTF! i cant even see the back plug!

i changed them with the stock manifolds and it was easy after I removed the coil pack but even removing that I dont see how i can reach the passenger plugs.

idk man...
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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 08:53 PM
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see if you can get a socket on it, then try different extensions to see if you can get a spin on it. It's like shooting pool in the dark, but I put down a blanket over the battery and radiator, lay down on the engine, get my left arm down in there and get it done.

You will have some scratches, my arm looked like I fought a bobcat in a phone booth.
Attached Thumbnails changing plugs with long tube Headers?-armscratched.jpg  
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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 08:57 PM
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Coil packs off. For sure. I have only done them from the top
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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by RJDio
see if you can get a socket on it, then try different extensions to see if you can get a spin on it. It's like shooting pool in the dark, but I put down a blanket over the battery and radiator, lay down on the engine, get my left arm down in there and get it done.

You will have some scratches, my arm looked like I fought a bobcat in a phone booth.


LOL. That's how my arm looked when changing my fog lights from the top.
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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 09:27 PM
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Originally Posted by EdgarB
Coil packs off for sure. I also find it easier with Headers than with the stock manifolds.
This. Also #7 from the bottom.

IDK man its really not that hard. Right tools and patience does it.
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Old Jun 2, 2013 | 06:20 AM
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I also use a stubby wrench on #8. The heater box is in the way for me to get a ratchet on there. I've gotten it down to under an hour. Takes about 20mins of screwing with #8 more often than not. I can change the other 7 in about the same time as it takes to do that ******.
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Old Jun 2, 2013 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by senicalj4579
This. Also #7 from the bottom.

IDK man its really not that hard. Right tools and patience does it.
Why would you have trouble with number 7?
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Old Jun 5, 2013 | 10:43 AM
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#8 from the bottom, headers make it easier.
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Old Jun 5, 2013 | 11:19 AM
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Driver side takes 5 minutes. Pass side I use a wrench with an extension on the first two and then a swivel on the 3rd. Jack the car up for the last one. That is the longest thing part of the ordeal.
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Old Jun 5, 2013 | 11:46 AM
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I did mine when I went from my stock manifolds to long tubes... It was nice and open then haha. Other than that, a nice set of wobble extensions and u joints for the socket set made it easier for me.
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Old Jun 6, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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Going to do it this weekend with some TR55s. Spoke with John at Texas Speed who recommended gapping them to 0.040. I found some old Texas Speed posts where they recommended gapping to 0.050. Texas speed will be doing the MOT as it is a bolt on car right now but I wanted to see what everyones thoughts were on TR55 gaps?
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Old Jun 6, 2013 | 12:38 AM
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It seems a lot of people gap their TR55's at .050 and their TR51X's at .040 due to the iridium tip being different. but I do remember a GM notification or report about gap change recommendations to .040 - but can't remember all the details, or if it only meant for Iridium plugs
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Old Jun 6, 2013 | 12:42 AM
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If you can change them with manifolds and didn't think it was bad, you will think LTs are a walk in the park.

Relocate the coils and you can have a change done in 20 minutes or less.

I cuss up and done with manifolds.. LTs I don't mind even with the coils. I'll change a LT with coils relocated every other day if I need to.

Driver side.. LOL Lts, shortys, manifolds, doesn't matter.. 10 minutes job start to end tops.
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