Spark Plug change tips

[Ulikefishsticks]

You are using 1/4” drive for the coil bolts......right?

So I basically grabbed all the extensions that I found on the first page with the amazon links. I believe I have 3/8 drive swivel for the bolts. Are you saying a 1/4 swivel will be fine?

I'm not experienced with working on cars, If this was a computer it would be a different story. This is the first car that I have actually done any modifications to myself.

You need seriously small hands as well i reckon

Yeah, my hands are not small however that is what a girlfriend is for. hah.

 

[cncBilly]

So I basically grabbed all the extensions that I found on the first page with the amazon links. I believe I have 3/8 drive swivel for the bolts. Are you saying a 1/4 swivel will be fine?

I'm not experienced with working on cars, If this was a computer it would be a different story. This is the first car that I have actually done any modifications to myself.



Yeah, my hands are not small however that is what a girlfriend is for. hah.

Yes 1/4” ratchet, 1/4” socket, 1/4” extension and 1/4” swivel are the ticket for the coil bolts. 3/8” ratchet/magnet socket, extension and swivel/swivels will get the plugs out and back in. Once you do this you will have a great big shit ass grin on your face and your beer is going to taste fantastic. Now get back out there and get those freakin plugs changed.

 

[Ulikefishsticks]

Yes 1/4” ratchet, 1/4” socket, 1/4” extension and 1/4” swivel are the ticket for the coil bolts. 3/8” ratchet/magnet socket, extension and swivel/swivels will get the plugs out and back in. Once you do this you will have a great big shit ass grin on your face and your beer is going to taste fantastic. Now get back out there and get those freakin plugs changed.

I see, I must of just been reading info on spark plugs only. Guess i'll be making a trip to a store or a visit to amazon again. Never hurts to have to many tools. I'm really eager to finally open up on that JB4 and get some E85 in the tank. Thanks for the help.

 

[Ulikefishsticks]

Yes 1/4” ratchet, 1/4” socket, 1/4” extension and 1/4” swivel are the ticket for the coil bolts. 3/8” ratchet/magnet socket, extension and swivel/swivels will get the plugs out and back in. Once you do this you will have a great big shit ass grin on your face and your beer is going to taste fantastic. Now get back out there and get those freakin plugs changed.

I went in to work this morning and after an hour I saw it was going to be sunny and nearly 70 all day. I decided today was a good day to just not go in to work and work 4 10's the rest of the week. I stopped by a home improvement store and grabbed some 1/4" socket swivels and extensions. At about 2PM I started swapping out the spark plugs. I started on the passenger side first because it was definitely going to be a PITA. I think it took me like 2.5 hours to do it. There were some tough parts and moments I was scratching my head wondering how I was going to get the coil pack out. I actually had a hard time with the coil pack plugs and not unlocking. I found if you have a small flat head screw driver, like an 1/8 or a 1/4 and insert in into the center and rotate it opened right up! It honestly was not that bad and was just time consuming and making sure I didn't put anything back together wrong. The passenger side middle coil pack I found it came out and went in easier in 2 pieces.

Car started up fine, no check engine lights or odors of fuel. It was a good day with the stinger today.

 

[Ozstung]

I went in to work this morning and after an hour I saw it was going to be sunny and nearly 70 all day. I decided today was a good day to just not go in to work and work 4 10's the rest of the week. I stopped by a home improvement store and grabbed some 1/4" socket swivels and extensions. At about 2PM I started swapping out the spark plugs. I started on the passenger side first because it was definitely going to be a PITA. I think it took me like 2.5 hours to do it. There were some tough parts and moments I was scratching my head wondering how I was going to get the coil pack out. I actually had a hard time with the coil pack plugs and not unlocking. I found if you have a small flat head screw driver, like an 1/8 or a 1/4 and insert in into the center and rotate it opened right up! It honestly was not that bad and was just time consuming and making sure I didn't put anything back together wrong. The passenger side middle coil pack I found it came out and went in easier in 2 pieces.

Car started up fine, no check engine lights or odors of fuel. It was a good day with the stinger today.

And how did the celebration beer taste that Billy mentions? I hope it wasn't Budweiser

 

[StingerLover]

I went in to work this morning and after an hour I saw it was going to be sunny and nearly 70 all day. I decided today was a good day to just not go in to work and work 4 10's the rest of the week. I stopped by a home improvement store and grabbed some 1/4" socket swivels and extensions. At about 2PM I started swapping out the spark plugs. I started on the passenger side first because it was definitely going to be a PITA. I think it took me like 2.5 hours to do it. There were some tough parts and moments I was scratching my head wondering how I was going to get the coil pack out. I actually had a hard time with the coil pack plugs and not unlocking. I found if you have a small flat head screw driver, like an 1/8 or a 1/4 and insert in into the center and rotate it opened right up! It honestly was not that bad and was just time consuming and making sure I didn't put anything back together wrong. The passenger side middle coil pack I found it came out and went in easier in 2 pieces.

Car started up fine, no check engine lights or odors of fuel. It was a good day with the stinger today.

Better make that 1 9 and 3 10's...you did go in for an hour, after all.

Congrats! Sounds like your experience was similar to mine. Feels good to have done it.

 

[Ulikefishsticks]

And how did the celebration beer taste that Billy mentions? I hope it wasn't Budweiser

I don't drink, my celebration was map 2. It was nice to feel that feeling in the pit of my stomach again. Going to hunt down some e85 this weekend to get some logs for the jb4.

 

[cncBilly]

I went in to work this morning and after an hour I saw it was going to be sunny and nearly 70 all day. I decided today was a good day to just not go in to work and work 4 10's the rest of the week. I stopped by a home improvement store and grabbed some 1/4" socket swivels and extensions. At about 2PM I started swapping out the spark plugs. I started on the passenger side first because it was definitely going to be a PITA. I think it took me like 2.5 hours to do it. There were some tough parts and moments I was scratching my head wondering how I was going to get the coil pack out. I actually had a hard time with the coil pack plugs and not unlocking. I found if you have a small flat head screw driver, like an 1/8 or a 1/4 and insert in into the center and rotate it opened right up! It honestly was not that bad and was just time consuming and making sure I didn't put anything back together wrong. The passenger side middle coil pack I found it came out and went in easier in 2 pieces.

Car started up fine, no check engine lights or odors of fuel. It was a good day with the stinger today.

Right on. Good for you. I bet you’re smiling.

 

[jsrob905]

My first plug change took 2 hours. Today I did another stinger in 43 mn.

 

[turboAWD]

Picked up the following today in anticipation of the next plug change:
Husky Auto-Locking Extension Bar Set (3-Piece)-H100LKEXT3PC - The Home Depot
Listed at $14.97, but was only $9.97 when I went to pay for it.

Also picked up an extra 1/4 10mm socket. Forgot about a 1/4 swivel.. Doh. But, still need some 21mm sockets, so will grab one then.

 

[Maddog2873]

I have read some mentions of using dielectric grease, and antisieze while researching swapping out plugs, and I have also seen people say it's not needed. Wanted to ask that here and see what people have used that already did their swaps.

Thanks!

 

[jsrob905]

Nothing

 

[runner1]

Nothing is required

 

[Metalmania82]

I did both. I've been doing that since my first plug change 15 years ago. Makes sense to me as to WHY to that so not sure why you wouldn't.

 

[ZyroXZ2]

I have read some mentions of using dielectric grease, and antisieze while researching swapping out plugs, and I have also seen people say it's not needed. Wanted to ask that here and see what people have used that already did their swaps.

Thanks!

I always use dielectric grease just to ensure easy removal of plug wires (in this case with the coil attached on top), though I've moved away from anti-seize as I've learned I only need to turn 1/4 of a turn to tighten and not overwrench things like my younger days

 

[Tim Johnson]

Knocked this out today in about hour and a half without taking off intake manifold. Followed OP instructions exactly. Started right up no CEL, ran great. Denso's gapped at .022.

My advice is use 1/4 sockets and extensions coil packs, 3/8 for actual plugs. The passenger middle coil pack comes out and goes in easier in two pieces. The smaller your hands the better. I had no issues with the coil pack bolts themselves.

JB4 next week!

 

[z1x2c3]

Changed out the plugs last Saturday on the Stinger with my daughter. The first 5 took a little over an hour. The last one (under the manifold) took another hour. Put everything together and the car runs! First plug change in about twenty years for me. I was a good project with my daughter who was able to get in some of the tighter spots.

 

[Milkjohnson]

Big ups OP and to this thread in general. Was able to get my plugs done in about an hour using this exact step by step method.

 

[RUFFSTUFF]

With 38,000miles, I've replaced my plugs twice and it's really not that bad when you have the proper tools...

 

[stingeradmr]

do the coil pack connectors just pull apart or do you have to press a release button