spark plug removal

[chopthebass]

This is a little premature but I am trying to think about making future maintenance easier.
I have a 351W stroked to 427, FFR headers and I am thinking removing the plugs might be very difficult. My engine is temporary in place and even with no aluminum getting in the way, the gap between headers and the end of the plug is quite tight. Not enough room to get a regular 5/8 spark plug socket and the wrench over. Is there a fancy tool?

[skullandbones]

Funny you should mention that. I have GT40P heads where the plugs are aimed more to the center of the combustion chamber. It results in a couple of the plugs on the right bank being very close to the header tubes. So I took a spark plug socket and machined it down for clearance. It still doesn't allow a regular handle to go on conveniently so I use a box wrench over the end of the socket to install and extract the plug. It sounds tedious but it isn't really. I have the two tools color coded and in a special drawer just for that purpose (so I don't have to think about it again). I'm real paranoid about messing up the threads or breaking a plug so I would rather have my hands close to the operation rather than an extension and 4 or 5 universals to do that sort of job.

Good luck,

WEK.

[68GT500MAN]

I install the drivers side rear plugs from under the car.
Doug

[chopthebass]

Thanks WEK.

Doug - Yeah I suspect there is better access from below. I just need to figure out what tool to use. I may have to modify something as WEK suggests.

[Bob Cowan]

The right side is pretty easy, lots of room there. The left side can be a challenge, though.

Cut a standard 5/8" socket down a tiny bit, so the end of the plug us close to the square hole when the plug is installed. Weld a nut to the end of the socekt. Then you can use a box or end wrench one it. You can also use a short piece of 3/8" square steel inserted in the hole, and then use a 3/8" end wrench on that.

[myjones]

New style sockets
Some of the new Kobalt socket sets have an exterior drive design so they will slip clear over an all thread or any length bolt so that it works like a bottomless deep socket.
The ratchet is open top and grabs the outside of the sockets so it looks more like a box end gearwrench instead of a ratchet.
That socket and an open end wrench might be the shortest combo you could use and certainly even shorter than a sparkplug<> but since they are actually a short socket I don't know if they are long enough to slip over
a sparkplug or not and they won't drop into my hemi heads so I can't check one out to be sure. Worth a look if anyone has a set around and the right motor to verify it on.
Dale Hemi33

[Avalanche325]

Most decent spark plug sockets have hex flats on them for a wrench.

[CraigS]

I wasn't aware of the sockets myjones mentions but they sound really nice. I am familiar w/ the sockets Avalanche mentions and they are what I use. If you look at various stores for plug sockets, some brands have a hex at the top for an open or box end wrench and some don't. They are not necessarily expensive either. I find I use an open end wrench and a hex socket on the rearmost plug on my 351. You need to be careful that the socket doesn't get out of line w/ the plug when using the open end wrench as that is an easy way to crack the plug. I haven't changed lugs in probably 3 years, but when I do, I always buy 10 of them. It's nice to have two spares.

[bobl]

Here's the tool you need. I bought a couple at the SEMA show a few years ago when they first hit the market. Handiest tool I've got.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pow-pow301150

[skullandbones]

Here's my combination that works for the back two right bank plugs on mine. The rest work with a real socket set.

WEK.

[chopthebass]

I found a 5/8 spark plug socket with a hex end, so I can use a wrench on it. It's a little too long, but after trimming I'm sure it'll work.