Hi, as you can tell by the post I am new to working on cars. I wanted to do a basic tune up to my car, but when examining the spark plug locations on my '91 camaro 3.1 I saw that it was not going to be a quick task to replace them. My question is what is the most efficient way to get at the spark plugs (removing as little as possible) on the passenger side. The Alternator and EGR valve are right in the way. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

Drivers side is not all that hard.

Pass side, the front one, you need a 5/8" deepwell, then swivel, then 6" extension, then ratchet. Then some thin fingers, or something to help pull the plug out, and put new one in.

 

u can get to all the plugs without removing anything with the right tools. first time will take you a while then when u figure out the way u find is easiest, next time will take less then 10 minutes. just go in there and do your best, and pick up the right tools.

 

I have everything I need except the swivel adapter. I will probably go pick one up today or tomorrow as there is no way I can fit my hand all the way to the front passenger side plug. Thanks for the heads up, much better to go spend a few bucks than start ripping stuff off my car unnecessarily.

 

The base of a spark plug socket is designed to take a wrench, too, if that helps for a tight spot...

I love the plugs on my 2.8- I can get to them all with a ratchet, 7" extension, and spark plug socket! Nothing's in the way!

 

You just need the right combination of extensions and universal (or swivel) joints and you can get at almost any bolt.

Two other points. A proper 5/8" spark plug socket should have a rubber grommet in it to hold onto the plug. Second, when you put the new plugs in, you should be able to screw it in most of the way by hand without the ratchet (you may need to use the socket/extension/swivel). If you force it in cross-threaded with the ratchet you WILL be screwed.

 

Good point, CJ! I only use the ratchet for the final tightening. I slip that old piece of 5/16" fuel line over the ceramic insulator, and use that to spin the plug in. (If you start crossthreading, the hose will slip on the insulator, and you won't ruin any threads. Plus you get the extra "reach".)

I used to put the torque wrench on it and torque each plug down to spec, but now I just know by "feel"- I tighten it down until it stops, then turn an extra 30 or 60 degrees on the ratchet handle.

And honestly I throw that little piece of rubber away! I spend more time fighting it then it spends helping me... the little bastard.

 

lol... Wantto talk hard.. My 97 Z28 took 20 minutes drivers side 3 hours with two people the passenger side... Had to come from the bottom on one... One I was laying on top of the engine... It is a night mare in the 4th gen well...

 

(laughs) Man, I couldn't even see the spark plugs on my ex's '94 Camaro with a 3.4! I don't even want to think about where they stuck 'em with a v8 in the car...

 

When replacing spark plugs, universal joints are your best friends.

 

I use a 5/8 Spark Plug wrench the one that swivles and has a T handle on it they ar elike 3 dollars at autozone thats what i use. When you go to do you #1 cyl the one by the alternator try to put it in using the wrench with the rubber graumet thats inside. If it dosent work i found that if you take some electrical tape and put a little tape around the edge of the socket and over lap the plug about 5cm it will make your life allot easier. AND MAKE SURE YOU GET THE WIRE ON TIGHT I CAN NEVER get it on tight and it comes off a lttle effort and it will stay on.

 

Haha, I'm always unsure if I click the plug wire onto the plug. I'm always pulling the boot on/off/on/off when trying to hear/feel the "click" of the wire's clip to the plug

Put some "dielectric grease" (aka "tuneup grease", clear) on the ceramic insulator of the plug, and inside the end of the spark plug boot with a q-tip. That'll help you get the boots off easier next time without tearing the boot (always pull on the boot).

 

Lol I hear ya. Fortunately LS1s are slightly better (but not much) than LT1s. Took me about 2.5 hours to do my plugs.

Now on my '89 I've done them so many times, I can swap them in about 10-15 minutes. I also find I don't need anything but an extension to get them all.

 

On the V8 2nd gen I use to have, you could get at the plug through the wheel wells easier. Just a flap of plastic lifted up and the plugs were staring you in the face.

Matt