Help a newbie- spark plug trouble
 

I am having trouble getting the spark plug socket onto number 1 and number 6, everything else came out easy.

Is there a flange or an obstruction in the spark plug well to keep the socket from fully seating on the plug? It doesn't seem to go in as far as the others.

I removed the AC (it wasn't working and I am going to delete it for now) and the heater hoses for better access to the plugs and upper valves. :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1272234938.jpg

I am using a 13/16 inch socket and and wondering if I need to grind the outside of the socket to make the wall thinner to get in deeper.

If your tool kit has the factory spark plug wrench, use it. It makes the job much easier.

No, there is no difference in clearance, in fact the heads are interchangeable from cylinder to cylinder (each cylinder has a separate head). Likely is that there is some gunk in there that is preventing you from getting on it.

+1 on the factory if all else fails,

but you may want to get an inspection mirror, remove your sheet metal on that side and make sure something didn't fall in there. a standard plug socket with a 3 in extension should fit with out mods, #6 hole is the same dia and obstruction free as the other five, its all about angle and patience ...........

Visual inspection........
 

Racer X,

I had similar problem last year removing one (1) of the spark plugs from a 3.0 liter engine. The spark plug socket that I've been using for many years won't get in the spark hole. I had an extra spark plug socket so I decided to grind it to reduce the wall thickness and was hoping it would solve the problem. And still had no luck getting the thinner socket inplace.

So I inspected the spark plug hole and found a large washer sitting between the cooling fins and partially resting by the spark plug stem. With the help of a screw driver, I was able to get the impediment (washer) from blocking the socket.

Use a small round mirror and hopefully you'll find the culprit. Good luck.

Tony

Thanks John- and everyone else. I couldn't see anything down the well, so I tried the factory tool and it worked perfectly. I must have a crappy socket.

Glad to hear you got it. I was having trouble with a socket and universal so I tried the factory tool and it worked like a champ. Every once in awhile those engineers know what they are doing.

i use a short extension on a swivel with no problems, other than sometimes it comes apart when i pull the socket off when putting the plugs back in. if i dont push the plug in the socket very far that helps.

sorry to be a thread thief, but where can one get his hands on one of those spark plug tools????

Mine came with the kit supplied with the car. I don't have a picture, but I found a 356 tool that looks very similar.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1272378685.jpg
The difference is that the tool I used doesn't have a ratcheting wrench, but just a Allen to break it loose. From there you just turn the end.

I did a quick search and didn't come up with anything

I can send you a pic tonight if you are interested in exactly what i used.

I made this tool with some bits from the pawn shop. socket has the rubber insert to hold the plug.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1272381404.jpg

Thanks racer_X and haycait for the cool info. I've been using a 3" extension and swivel head with a rubber insert socket, and it does the job OK. A couple of cylinders tend to be a small PITA, but I muddle through.

Just hoping that there might be a stash of those stock beauties laying around...guess they must be made of unobtanium.