spark plug removal

[bigandbald]

got them all out but hotdang the back 2 were not easy. Is there a special tool/trick I need? I've got a 68 912 with big Weber carbs (which make circumventing to the back of the engine a real treat!)

thanks all.
new 912 owner

[DarrylD]

I use a small 2" piece of fuel hose over the end of the sparkplug so you can get it started with your fingers. The wrench you've gotta use is the one that came with the original tool kit, nothing else I've found has the right clearance.

[glennhardy]

After losing a plug down in the caverns, resulting in hours of engine tin removal (it's a 40 year old car!) I went to Sears and bought:
1. the spark plug socket with the rubber insert that grabs and holds the plug TIGHTLY.
2. a long LOCKING extension that simply will not pull out of the plug socket.
3. a good socket wrench that fits the extension and can be reversed when needed.
Do not attempt this without the locking extension. Plus, you need to get the new plugs started by hand without the socket wrench attached. Be careful not to strip threads at this stage. Once they are started, pop on the socket and crank evenly without rocking the plug. Not too tight.

[djdsc]

If you have the Weber manifolds and not the Solex with adaptors this is a challenging task. The were several versions of the Weber manifolds and most of them had larger OD's that make it very difficult to get at the #1 & #3 plugs. Try removing the air cleaners to at least make it feel thee is more room.

As glennhardy suggested get the right tools. You may have to go through several combinations of sockets and extensions to find the ones that works for you. I found that the spark plug socket with the built-in universal joint and rubber insert to work for me. Even the diameter of the socket extension can make the difference in whether it will fit around the manifold or not.

Darryl's suggestion with the piece of tubing or fuel line over the plug end for starting the plug is the only way that I have been able to get them started around the Weber manifolds.

Take your time and do no harm, cross threaded plugs are expensive and time consuming to fix.

[jac912]

I've got the Webers and it is a real frustrating task. In desperation I have loosened the horizontal tin under #3 plug enough to insert tools. I used the plug socket with grippy rubber insert and small needle nose locking pliers on extraction so as not to loose it. If I were starting this "hobby" over again I would practise becoming expert at removing the engine. Most say it can be done in half an hour.

[Nige-912E]

if your struggling to find a genuine 912 spark plus tool, try finding a later Porsche tool, I have one that came from a 924 and is almost identical and easier to find, it makes the whole job alot easier, but its still a pain in the ass. Sometimes I think its easier just to drop the engine