passenger side spark plugs
11-17-2010, 09:10 PM
#1
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passenger side spark plugs omg what a pita!!!! ive just finished changing the plugs and wires on the driver side, and pulled the plugs and wires out the passenger side. im having great difficulty putting plugs back in though. any advice??? i took the alternator off. and the wires seem to run under the power steering pump so i think im gona try to route them differently to avoid pulling off the power steering pump. and advice would be greatly appreciated.
11-17-2010, 09:25 PM
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power steering comes off with 2 10mm bolts go through the holes in the pulley VERY easy that way, and cuts out a lot of anger.
deleting the AC also made life so much simpler. lol, not to mention OTVC was a good investment.
deleting the AC also made life so much simpler. lol, not to mention OTVC was a good investment.
11-17-2010, 09:32 PM
#3
I do mine from underneath with the car on a pair of Rhino ramps. I don't remove the starter or anything else. Of course this is with Pacesetter longtubes and a couple of short wobble extensions, and I do one of the right sides with a combo wrench on the spark plug socket. You have headers or stock manifolds?
Edit: since you can't do anything with it on the ground as is, try turning your back to the car (bumper/ fender against your right leg) and put the plug in with your hand kind of reaching backwards. You get a more natural angle on your wrist so you can turn it enough with your fingers to get it to thread. Much easier than doing it facing the car, palm up. Sounds awkward but it helps, and you can feel around easier without dropping the plug.
Edit: since you can't do anything with it on the ground as is, try turning your back to the car (bumper/ fender against your right leg) and put the plug in with your hand kind of reaching backwards. You get a more natural angle on your wrist so you can turn it enough with your fingers to get it to thread. Much easier than doing it facing the car, palm up. Sounds awkward but it helps, and you can feel around easier without dropping the plug.
11-18-2010, 10:07 AM
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I just use the sparkplug socked and a 3/4 (19mm) wrench. my socked has the rubber in it so i just insert the plug socked and install it, as soon i feel that the sparkplug is inthe correct position in the thread i use the wrench to tighten it, i dont need to lose or remove nothing
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11-18-2010, 11:49 PM
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well i found the problem, i had 5 and 7 on the wrong spot on the opti. now it idles ok, but i had the same hesitation problem at low rpm that i had with the old wires and plugs, so i pop my hood and its aching in the same place. wtf?
11-19-2010, 07:44 AM
#13
I have always said i have an idea for the perfect LT! spark plug tool. Some companys make a shorter spark plug socket, i beleive this to be a waste of time and money. The tool i want to make is a Spark plug gap tool with a beer bottle opener on the other end. Thats really what is required to change lt1 plugs.
luckily for me i can get to all the pass side spark plugs from the top side of the engine. my arms were built for it i guess. same with all the manifold bolts. The first plug on the pass side is a real pain in the royal ***!
luckily for me i can get to all the pass side spark plugs from the top side of the engine. my arms were built for it i guess. same with all the manifold bolts. The first plug on the pass side is a real pain in the royal ***!
11-19-2010, 09:11 AM
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I have always said i have an idea for the perfect LT! spark plug tool. Some companys make a shorter spark plug socket, i beleive this to be a waste of time and money. The tool i want to make is a Spark plug gap tool with a beer bottle opener on the other end. Thats really what is required to change lt1 plugs.
luckily for me i can get to all the pass side spark plugs from the top side of the engine. my arms were built for it i guess. same with all the manifold bolts. The first plug on the pass side is a real pain in the royal ***!
luckily for me i can get to all the pass side spark plugs from the top side of the engine. my arms were built for it i guess. same with all the manifold bolts. The first plug on the pass side is a real pain in the royal ***!
11-19-2010, 09:44 AM
#16
yeah im 6'4 180lbs. The part of my arm that goes between the manifold and the engine bay is just small enough. Ill normally end up bloody tho, deffinetly cant turn my arm once its in there lol. Beats crawling under the sob and dropping the starter tho i guess.
11-20-2010, 06:14 AM
#19
Since I'm the original owner of my car, and it's never seen the ravages of road salt, therefore nothing is rusty, I can get away with this... I drop the front section of the exhaust system, and after that, 7 of the plugs are a breeze...#2 is still a PITA, though, reaching around/through the A/C lines.
I know that it sounds like a big deal to drop the exhaust, but the time you spend there, you more than gain back with the plug swap. Also, "never seize" is your friend, on both hte plugs, as well as the exhaust system nuts and bolts.
I know that it sounds like a big deal to drop the exhaust, but the time you spend there, you more than gain back with the plug swap. Also, "never seize" is your friend, on both hte plugs, as well as the exhaust system nuts and bolts.
11-20-2010, 07:46 AM
#20
I'm able to do all mine without removing anything. But, I also have longtubes and small/medium size arms. Mine's a mix of "from up top" and "from the bottom" as far as method for plugs. I think I did all of them from the bottom except for #2.
I have a couple different tools I use. I have a shortened spark plug socket (shortened it myself, no reason to buy the SLP one) and a ratchet wrench for the plug socket.
I also use a golf tee with a short piece of vacuum line to help thread the plugs in. It basically serves as a multi-angle swivel, so you can thread plugs in when the angle or space isn't feasible using just your fingers. AND it can save you from dropping plugs on the floor.
I have a couple different tools I use. I have a shortened spark plug socket (shortened it myself, no reason to buy the SLP one) and a ratchet wrench for the plug socket.
I also use a golf tee with a short piece of vacuum line to help thread the plugs in. It basically serves as a multi-angle swivel, so you can thread plugs in when the angle or space isn't feasible using just your fingers. AND it can save you from dropping plugs on the floor.