C4 spark plug replacement help.

[voorthuist]

drags1998... Great response! I have not yet turned the plugs on my 95 LT-1 but when I do (this spring), I will remember your words of wisdom! Thanks!

 

[garycr14]

Hi It's probably too late to do you any good, but if the exhaust manifolds are stock, it is not that difficult. I have used a ratchet with a pivot head, an extension, and a universal. For the drivers side, I loosened the ASR, then there was plenty of room. Did the whole job in about an hour. Now I have shorty headers - now that's a nightmare.

Good luck!

 

[4U2NV1986]

spark plug replacement

Sometimes you just want to beat those design engineers who buried those plugs. It is apparent that they must have very small hands, or like a sick joke. I de-moth balled the car this weekend and drove the s**t out of it. Full brake job, KYB shocks and a new Flowmaster exhaust system. The plugs are next. Thanks for all of the great tips....... Roll on.

 

[kenwa]

Tapered seat? Hmmmmm.... The Bosch 4301's I bought have the crush gasket. Not taking a plug out yet, I'm not sure what type is in there or should be.

I thought all GM plugs were tapered since around 1970.

 

[Bob Yates]

The aluminum heads use gaskets on the spark plugs. GM found tappered plugs on aluminum heads would seize up and be a real bear to get out. It's a good ideal to use antiseize compound on your plugs too.....Bob Yates

 

[Edmond]

It's a good ideal to use antiseize compound on your plugs too.....Bob Yates

Definitely! Trying to loosen very old plugs that didn't have anti seize on them is a very scary thing!

 

[4U2NV1986]

spark plug replacement

Well, I just wrapped up changing the plugs on my 86 L98 w/alum. heads. Job took about two hours, 1 hour and 45 minutes on the right bank and 15 minutes on the left. The tip to sit on the tire and face out was my saving grace, I have large hands but this technique helped greatly. The plug that was hardest was the front one on the right bank, the back two that you really can't see came out fairly easy. I bought a 5/8 plug socket with an universal already attached that sucks, right now its growing roots in my front yard after I chucked it after five minutes of hell trying to use that piece of floppy junk. What I did use was a standard 5/8 plug socket and a racheting box end wrench mildly modified with a hack saw to shorten the length, this made life in the trenches much easier. A couple of battle scars, a few new swear words later, the job is done. Everybody, thanks for all of great tips from your own personal experiences.

 

[ShaneL]

Why not just use these?

These made me pure of sin!

 

[wx briefer]

Always remember an axiom that is forever true! ; The harder the job, the better it is to do it yourself because the same work performed by one that is getting paid while under the gun of the clock is not going to take the time to finesse the finer points of torque, cleanliness and correctness. (Always!!)

 

[8388]

Always remember an axiom that is forever true! ; The harder the job, the better it is to do it yourself because the same work performed by one that is getting paid while under the gun of the clock is not going to take the time to finesse the finer points of torque, cleanliness and correctness. (Always!!)

This is probably the best advice one can give. If I couldn't maintain all my cars my self, I'd get rid of them. The grief that comes from crappy mechanical work from somebody else ruins all the fun, not to mention the value of the car.

I won't even take my brand new cars that are under warranty into the dealer for the same reasons.