SPARK PLUG HELP

[JMONEY]

I recently bought a 91 SHO and just bought new spark plugs and wires for it. I was lookin at the engine today, but it looks like it is going to be hard to put in the back plugs and wires. Has anyone already done this that can offer me advice?

 

[shojuan]

Take off the intake manifold. You might need two new intake manifold gaskets. Also consider spending $10 to have NAPA order you one of these: EVERCRAFT TOOLS extended 5/8" spark plug socket part # 775-9052. The socket is a 3/8 drive, 4-1/2" long and retains the plug. It really does make changing the plugs on the SHO a pleasure. $10 really well spent. Also make sure to clean out the plug wells really good before removing the spark plug. Some carb cleaner on some paper towel that you move around on the end of a stick is a good way. Make sure it's clean and dry in there before removing the plugs.
Make sure you use a torque wrench when installing the plugs or you will lose.

Rick

 

[RI-SHO]

I've read of people changing just the spark plugs with the manifold but I just dont see how with the limited space in the rear.

www.SHOTimes.com has very good how-to's on many procedures for the SHO, here is the one for removing the intake manifold: http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&sid=61

BTW Welcome to the forum .

 

[projectSHO89]

I've read of people changing just the spark plugs with the manifold but I just dont see how with the limited space in the rear.

I've done it several times.

Remove the bracket and the secondary accumulator. Use a few extensions, a plug socket, and a U-joint. It's doable.

Steve

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

it would be good for him to learn how to pull the intake off though. i can do it in 20 minutes or less now since ive done it so many times. plus while he has it off he can clean some gunk out of it. yes it can be done with the manifold on, but i think its still easier with it off just my 2 cents ::shrugs::

 

[jthomas68]

Don`t ever take off the intake manifold to change rear plugs.It makes a 10 minute job into an hour job.There is absolutley no porblem getting to the rear plugs with a long enough extension,i don`t even use a swivel when i change mine.

 

[shojuan]

jthomas68:
Don`t ever take off the intake manifold to change rear plugs.It makes a 10 minute job into an hour job.There is absolutley no porblem getting to the rear plugs with a long enough extension,i don`t even use a swivel when i change mine.

Good luck cleaning the crap out of the rear spark plug wells with the intake manifold in place. Maybe it's possible to reach the rears with the intake manifold on but you're working blind.

Rick

 

[Electric Frost]

It seems as though there has been a discrepancy as to the better way to do this, and in my opinion both have their merits. If it's cold out, and you don't have extra time, you can easily do it with the manifold on. Like has been said, you dont need any fancy u-joints or anything, just unbolt the accumulator bracket and use a straight extension with a thin walled plug socket, and a pair or needle nosed pliers to grab the plugs out of the wells.
Now of course, if you have nothing else to do, and have a nice heated garage, or better yet 20c weather , go ahead and pull the intake off and look around!

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

Don`t ever take off the intake manifold to change rear plugs.It makes a 10 minute job into an hour job.There is absolutley no porblem getting to the rear plugs with a long enough extension,i don`t even use a swivel when i change mine.

an hour? damn, dont worry man youll get quicker at it wink the longest part when i take off the intake is waiting for the gallon of coolant to finish syphoning out of my radiator so i dont spill it everywhere when i pull off the throttle body. but hey if he can do the front with an extension then go for it and try the rears. i just think its good practice if its nice enough weather out. that way when you have to do it for real you know what to do

 

[munkee]

Now I know that you can change the plugs and clean the wells out relatively easily without taking off the intake manifold as long as you have the right tools, but I have never tried changing the spark plug wires without removing the intake. Anyone have input on that?

 

[jthomas68]

I use compressed air with an extension.I can`t believe people actually take the entire manifold off.If there is along of gunk in the wells,something is not 100%.The plug well boots should seal off the well to keep them pretty clean.I have nothing in mine,and my plugs are a bit too tall to get a perfect seal.

 

[SHOZ123]

the longest part when i take off the intake is waiting for the gallon of coolant to finish syphoning out of my radiator so i dont spill it everywhere when i pull off the throttle body.

Bypass the TB and IAC and you won't have to do that again.

 

[Jr's Sho]

When I went to change my plug wires, I could NOT do it with the manifold in place. The plug wires would not fit between the front runners and whatever brackets or braces are in the way. And the rear, good luck.

 

[Electric Frost]

I have chnaged two sets of plug wires with the manifold in place. It's not too difficult, you just need to make neccessary clearances available at certain times, eg: unplug one wire and get the end of it out of the way in order to do another one. A few of the passages are cramped, but you just need to get them through there. It's totally doable.

 

[Markus]

projectSHO89:

I've read of people changing just the spark plugs with the manifold but I just dont see how with the limited space in the rear.

I've done it several times.

Remove the bracket and the secondary accumulator. Use a few extensions, a plug socket, and a U-joint. It's doable.

Steve

On my 95 ATX I don't even need the U-joint.

 

[X-15 SHO]

All I use is an extension(1) and a rachet, but I'm pretty young and don't have big arms and hands so I don't need much room, I have plenty and enough to clean the wells with the manifold on.

Now about changing the wires with the manifold on is not impossible. I've did it with mine and all you do is disconnect from the coil pack and pull it through the brackets then pull out the boots from the wells and out it comes one-by-one. thumbs_u

 

[RonPorter]

OK, I've read all of the responses so far, and here's the deal:

1. Manifold does NOT need to come off to change the plugs. What makes it a LOT easier is to either remove the hood, or just remove the hood struts and bungee-cord the hood to the garage door mechanism (as I did). The rear plugs are then very easy to get to.

2. If you are changing the wires (a good idea) the manifold needs to be lifted, but that just involves removing bolts, and popping the manifold up an inch or so. NO coolant needs to be drained. I just pulled out the manifold bolts to get the manifold up a inch or so (to get the plug wire boots under it). No gasket change or anything like that.

Having done the plugs and wires once, I could do the whole thing again in under two hours. The main "tricks" are to (1) get the right plug wrench that can "grab" the plug down in the well, (2) get the hood out of the way for the rear plugs/wires, and (3) unbolt the manifold to lift it up an inch to get the plug wire ends threaded through it.

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

hey shoz123, i was actually going to bypass them but i have a paranoia problem, since im living in a rather cold climate i dont want my TB to freeze up, but i know its a silly fear since ive never seen it happen to any other car here and they dont have heated throttle bodies. but what did you use to bypass yours? ive seen some things online but i like to get a broader range of ideas before i tackle something. thanks!

 

[pjtoledo]

projectSHO89:

I've read of people changing just the spark plugs with the manifold but I just dont see how with the limited space in the rear.

I've done it several times.

Remove the bracket and the secondary accumulator. Use a few extensions, a plug socket, and a U-joint. It's doable.

Steve

Yes, it is do-able, I have done it once. But on my 92 MTX the problem was not getting the plug out, but rather the wire. Had to really bend and manipulate the wire for cylinder # 3. I decided the risk of damaging the wire was not worth it. Perhaps you have perfected the method thru more practice than I. I did not remove the bracket and secondary stuff, perhaps I should throw some parts together and try it on the engine stand.

Perry Toledo,Ohio

 

[projectSHO89]

On my 95 ATX I don't even need the U-joint.

Yeah, the ATX engine is mounted further forward. The MTX ain't.

<small>[ January 05, 2003, 09:56 PM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>