Help! I'm stuck.

[roger longman]

I've replaced all the plug wires and 6 plugs on my '88. Yesterday I tackled cylinder nos. 2 and 4, well actually I managed to get out no. 2. I've tried all I know to get the new plug in,removed inner fender and wheel but unable to loosen lower nut on a/c rear support(it's not in the way though). I used tubing over the plug and can only manage to turn it about half a thread even though I think I've got it seating correctly. The heat shield around the exhaust manifold obstructs the tubing to some extent. I tried for 2 hours before giving up. Can someone get me out of trouble ? Roger.:bash

 

[G Winter]

I've replaced all the plug wires and 6 plugs on my '88. Yesterday I tackled cylinder nos. 2 and 4, well actually I managed to get out no. 2. I've tried all I know to get the new plug in,removed inner fender and wheel but unable to loosen lower nut on a/c rear support(it's not in the way though). I used tubing over the plug and can only manage to turn it about half a thread even though I think I've got it seating correctly. The heat shield around the exhaust manifold obstructs the tubing to some extent. I tried for 2 hours before giving up. Can someone get me out of trouble ? Roger.:bash

Half a thread does not sound like you are getting it started straight. How heavy of hose are you using ? Smaller diameter works best 3/16 ID I think , just so it slips over the very tip not the body. This allows more maneuverability.
My 90 may be set up diff but I had very little problem with no 2 or 4 it was 8 that was a real pain. The whole side is a pain with out the inner fender off.

Glenn

 

[roger longman]

Thanks Glenn. I'm really good at missing the obvious! I've found some smaller tubing, about 3/16 as you said. I'll give it another go tomorrow. I think your '90 may well be different, I found no8 relatvely easy,although compared to other marques they are all pigs (apologies to any Vette owner farmers) why didn't GM find a better designed head,all eight should be a twenty minute job? I'm still stuck with no.4 does anyone have ideas? Roger.

 

[G Winter]

I may have used a very long extension or a number of them with a wobble extension at the socket on one of the plugs. Was a couple yrs ago so hard to remember.

Glenn

 

[roger longman]

Is there no one else that can help me with no.4 cylinder? Roger.

 

[bill5674]

Roger,get a plug socket that has a hex end for a wrench on it.its tight,put socket on plug,use wrench to remove plug.be careful installing them. not to hard to cross thread plugs .use patience ,people do them all the time.

 

[gmjunkie]

I found no8 relatvely easy,although compared to other marques they are all pigs (apologies to any Vette owner farmers) why didn't GM find a better designed head,all eight should be a twenty minute job? I'm still stuck with no.4 does anyone have ideas? Roger.

I can do it in about 40-45 minutes,including R&R splash Shields!!But then again,I'm a HillBilly and can make a Silk Purse out of a Sows Ear!!
I think you must have your cylinders mixed up,#7 and #8 are the hardest,I use a 3/8 fuel hose about 1 1/2 inchs long,3/8's 18 inch Wobble Extension,1 inch Wobble Extension,Thumb Wheel,Spark Plug Socket and a 3/4 Open End Wrench!!

 

[roger longman]

Thanks bill5674, I'm going to be very patient ! Roger.

 

[roger longman]

Thanks Junk, aren't nos.7and 8 closest to the bulkhead ? I found those relatively easy. My problem is on the n/s cylinder bank no.2 which I've got out but can't get back in and no.4 which I can't even get out. There's a joke in there somewhere ! Roger.

 

[bill5674]

okay ,if i`m not mistaken drivers side plugs ,from the front of motor.1-3-5-7.passenger side from the front.2-4-6-8....naa.no joke there wait untilyou have to change out the heater core.ha-ha drink lots...bill

 

[joesroad]

The plugs are easy compared to changing the power brake booster on our 88's

 

[roger longman]

Thanks bill5674, that's what I was saying n/s= near side=passenger side,first 2 plugs no.2 and no.4. Roger.

 

[roger longman]

Thanks joesroad, that makes me feel a lot better but at the rate I'm going I wont need brakes anyway! Roger.

 

[Hot Rod Roy]

If you can't get a handle on your spark plug socket, try sliding a short piece of 1/2" square tubing into the top of your socket, then you can turn the socket with a 1/2" open end wrench!

S.T.W.

 

[hotshotzny]

i just did my plugs and wires on my 84 and it took me all of monday and half of tuesday to do it... got 6 of them done with a sna and ran intot he same damn problemad... i could just squeeze my hand done into the space provided and had the hardest time getting the threads started.. tried it from up above , underneath, you nam eit.. didnt bother removing anything cause really nothing was in my way that i could see was stopping me.... at several points i had to walk away before i tokk a BFH to the car.... really all it took was patience and pure dumb luck! id like to sit on an assembly line while they build these things and look at the cars as they design them and ask them if they can get to certian parts that they know they will have to replace.. if they cant do it id hit them with a stick as hard as i could!!

the 82 was even better... we had to lossen the motor mounts and jack the engine up!

 

[Paddywhack]

Had the same problem with 2 and 4 on my '86. Finally got my wife, with her dainty hands and fingers to get them started, then used an open end wrench on the spark plug socket. Your right, six plugs were a snap, 2 and 4 involved alot of swearing, drinking and walking away! My wife heard me and said let a woman do this! This time she was right!
Good luck!

 

[roger longman]

Thanks Hot Rod Roy and hotshotzny, it's actually getting the thing started that's the problem on no. 2 and off and back on no.4. Roger.

 

[roger longman]

Thanks Paddywhack, how did you get no. 4 out ? You mean I should let a woman touch my Vette ? Well I suppose it'll be okay. Roger.

 

[Paddywhack]

If I remember correctly (and if I dont, my wife will remind me), once she got the socket over the plug, I was able to break it loose with an open end wrench, the she was able to get it out with her hands....after listening to the whole righty tighty, lefty loosen theory!

 

[roger longman]

Well, she tried for about an hour to put in no.2 plug, then gave up. I managed to get my hand onto the plug end but couldn't get it threaded, it was a painful experience and I gave up when all my fingers went numb ! When my hand recovers I'll give it one more try. It feels as though it will only cross thread although from what I can see it appears ok. in there. How can this be. Anyone ? Roger.