Tricks to change rear DS spark plugs with cheap headers.

-
Clelan

Clelan

Inferno Red Duster
FABO Gold Member
Joined
May 11, 2006
Messages
2,550
Reaction score
3,599
Location
Martensville Sask. Can.
I'm regretting buying the cheap patriot headers more and more as time goes! I want to do a compression test and change plugs as part of my efforts to make it run to it's potential. Does anyone have any tips or tricks to remove those rear drivers side 2 plugs a little easier? Has anyone made a wrench to do the job? Any help would be appreciated.

The car is a 74 Duster with a 360, power brakes and Patriot headers. I'll look for a photo.

Cley
 
Put a standard spark plug socket on it, and just use a regular box end wrench to take them off.
 
Possibly this will work. -- I cut a 13/16" box end wrench, and use it on My street rod with tight headers. --
Spark Plug Wrench.JPG
 
I put the socket on the plug first and then the extension between the valve cover and pipe.
 
sireland67 said:
Put a standard spark plug socket on it, and just use a regular box end wrench to take them off.
Click to expand...


Agree with above, shorter socket the better. This has been my go to for over 35 years. I hope to get TTIs before I leave this earth lol

20180725_190957.jpg
 
Well it was way easier than I thought. I used a regular spark plug socket with the hex on the end. I put the socket on then put the extension in and loosened it. Then I used my fingers to spin it out. I wrap of hockey tape on the hex helped me grip it. There would be no getting a flat wrench on it unless I cut it off real short. Thanks for all the input!

Cley
 
"Back in the day" when I ran the tune-up machine at Miramar, I had all kinds of "hacked" stuff for nasty plugs. 390 Mustangs with headers, some BB Chev were awful (poor design headers) and etc

CUT OFF a spark plug socket until it is barely long enough to cover the plug hex. If you search around, some are thinner than others, and some have a smaller hex for easier access

As shown above, I've hacked/ bent/ re-welded box end wrenches for one or two

Unfortunately, nowadays with Horrid Freight, Lowes, and the excuses we have for parts stores (and the demise of Craftsman) NObody actually carries a full line of automotive tools, with all the doo-dads you need.

You can buy plug sockets with built-in U joint "somewhere" and there are various design flex-head ratchets. I finally lost my old Champion (Champion spark plug) flex ratchet some years ago. It was great.
 
A neat trick an old timer taught me many, many years ago to start or remove a spark plug that has been loosened, was to use a piece of 3/16"
vacuum hose. Slip it over the end of the plug and you can start any hard plug to get at.
 
67, we still have that Champion tool and it is great!Dad got it in the late 1960s I think.
Tom
 
Go get plug socket that has a swivel built in on it. Long, 10"+ extension and if need be... put the socket on the plug first from underneath the heaser tube, then insert extension between header tube and valve cover and into the swivel socket.
Once its broke loose... remove extension and socket in reverse and unscrew by hand. The plug comes up when you loosen it and you lose clearance between the header to get it all out as one.
 
I just use a little stubby crescent wrench on a spark plug socket to break them loose or cinch them down. Then spin hex on the socket with my fingers.

Threading them back in is the fun part!
You gotta stand on one leg, and hold your mouth just right. Don't use anything but your fingers to get them started if you have aluminum heads!
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
A neat trick an old timer taught me many, many years ago to start or remove a spark plug that has been loosened, was to use a piece of 3/16"
vacuum hose. Slip it over the end of the plug and you can start any hard plug to get at.
Click to expand...

I use a piece of 3/8 fuel line about 6 inches long and push it down over the plug porcelain to take them out once loose and get them started back in, but yea same idea.
 
TrailBeast said:
I use a piece of 3/8 fuel line about 6 inches long and push it down over the plug porcelain to take them out once loose and get them started back in, but yea same idea.
Click to expand...
That works good too. The 3/16" works better when you have a real hard to get to plug when starting it as you can flex the hose to a 90 and still spin it.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
A neat trick an old timer taught me many, many years ago to start or remove a spark plug that has been loosened, was to use a piece of 3/16"
vacuum hose. Slip it over the end of the plug and you can start any hard plug to get at.
Click to expand...
Every time here ,for me.. Also keeps you ,from forcing the spark plug ,into the threads.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top