I am replacing ignition parts on my '91 305 TPI Trans Am. I cannot reach many of the plug end wire connections from the top side as I have done on other cars I have owned. Do I need to get the car up on jacks and reach them from the bottom side or are there other tricks I need to be schooled on? I am replacing the wires, rotor, dist cap, coil and ignition control module. The plugs are new and were replaced by a shop with a lift.

 

Your better off under the car, it's a hellava lot easier

 

1, 3, 5 - from the top. 2, 4, 6, 7 & 8 from the bottom. If you've got the OE oil cooler, 2 and 4 you'll have to reach up from behind the crossmember, and reach forward over the crossmember.

 

And I thought pulling the plugs on my BBC was difficult!

I can do them all from the top however I can't get a socket with any sort of extension, swivel or ratchet on 6 of them because of the size of the headers. I use a spark plug socket and a wrench to break the torque then slip a piece of hose over the spark plug to spin it out.

Word of advice, install some platinum plugs. Since it's so hard to get at the spark plugs, the platinum plugs will last longer and you won't have to change them as much compared to copper plugs.

 

Destin? I lived in Destin for a short time. Now i'm down Hwy 98 in Pensacola. Anyway, I just completed a tuneup on my 84 TransAm 305. As the other posts mentioned, best method is to get your car up on stands for plugs/wires. From below, you can actually eyeball the plugs instead of just blindly threading them from above in very tight space. gotta be careful of cross threading. For replacing wires only, most can be installed from the top but you still have to get underneath to fit the new wires in the wire holder clips to keep them away from the exhaust manifolds. Hope this helps.
Mike32506

 

it is possible doing them all from up top if you have medium sized hands and are willing to cut them up but going in from underneath does make it easier.

 

Thanks everyone. Looks like I'll get out the stands and creeper to crawl under the car for this one. Just wanted confirmation that I was not missing something before I dove in to swap the leads out.