still trying to replace my plugs...

[shaun]

I started tearing apart the plugs on my '94 ATX, but I can't find a way to get them out from under the manifold. Is there an easy way to do this, or do I have to take the manifold off?

Thanks
Shaun

 

[jcostantino]

I just use a long extension and a spark plug socket.

The front three are way easy, the spark plug socket has a rubber ring inside it that grips the insulator of the plug and lets you take it out/put it in easily. I replace the back three by putting a thick blanket over the intake and laying across it. Seems easier that way. The easiest would be to remove the manifold but that isn't necessary unless you need to clean the manifold.

Don't forget to put dielectric grease around the spark plug boots and anti-sieze around the threads.

Jeff

 

[bradman]

I pulled the intake to do mine. It really isn't that bad of a job, and that way it is easier to check the back wells for oil. You should clean the wells out before pulling the old plugs unless you don't mind oil and dirt running into the combustion chambers and potentially shortening the life of your engine.

 

[shaun]

Got the plugs out, but what about the wires? Can I replace these w/o removing the intake?

 

[Kevin]

I had to take the intake manifold off to reach the back plugs. The job is actually very easy if you have a 10 mm and 12mm socket wrench. The first time I took it off it took about an hour but now it wouldn't take that long. Just make sure to reconnect all of the hoses to the throttle body when you are finished. Don't forget to disconnect and reconnect the DIS module either. Over all bolt count is 12 across the intake runners 4 that hold the intake manifold on with one big one on back. 2 nuts and 2 bolts on the throttle body with i think 5 hoses. when taking off the intake manifold make sure to take off any hose left the reverse the process. Good luck.

 

[jcostantino]

Most likely you will have to remove the manifold to do the wires. The back wires are almost impossible to do without at least removing the vertical brackets which secure the intake to the heads.

Jeff

 

[91 Plus]

I replaced plugs and wires withough removing the intake!

 

[srfdude]

I think you'll find the ATX owners are the ones talking about changing the plugs w/o removing the manifold. The 3.2 seems to be a couple inches further forward, away from the firewall. Curtis (NavlAvi8or) also thought it was easy w/manifold in place; when he got to my MTX he realized the difference made it much tougher. If you haven't changed the plugs lately, for sure the manifold removal is a good idea so you can clean out the plug wells of all the dirt and oil.
Mike

 

[notstock]

shaun:
Is there an easy way to do this, or do I have to take the manifold off?

Shaun,

You don't need to pull the intake. Remove the wires backwards, so to speak. That is, disconnect them from the coil pack (slip the locking clips off the end too) and then disconnect the wire from the plug. Instead of pulling the wire out from the front, pull it out from the rear. The end that goes to the coil pack is much smaller than the end that goes into the plug well, so it'll fit through there, unlike the other end.

Kurt
www.kurtmetros.com

 

[fredhurderjr]

FWIW, I always pull the intake on MTX's & ATX's for plugs & wires, as it allows you to really see how bad the lower runners / heads are built up with crud, as well as making it 10x easier to pull plugs, check / fix oil in plug wells, etc.

Yes, it can be done without pulling the intake. Yes, it opens up a can of worms when you do pull it. It's a case of 6 vs. a half-dozen - they're pros & cons on either way.

 

[jcostantino]

The front plug wires can be removed with the intake on but the back three won't pull through the rear bracket support easily.

FWIW removing the intake is a good idea since you most likely need to clean out the throttle body and EGR anyhow.

Jeff

 

[shaun]

Thanks guys; did it today w/o removing the intake. Just had to remove the verticle intake supports and some of the wiring harnesses. It wasn't fun, but I guess it took about 90 min. start to finish.