Well it's back in. Started to panic though when the marks wouldn't line up at all. It would go in off just a little one way or the other. Then it dawned on me,"did I put the gear back on the same way?" Sure enough, the teeth line up differently in relation to the pin on one side or the other. Heck with it, rotated housing to match up.
Got to the plug wires. Broke one pulling it off saturday before changing my mind about doing the plugs, so had to use one of my 8.5 wires.
Couldn't get timing light to work then realized directions refered to 12 pos+ ground. (Been a few years since I used one ok)
running at 11* or 12* at the moment. Idles about the same, but seems like there's a little more power. Timing chain's pretty old, that might affecting it I guess. I'll see how it takes a hill and whatnot tomorrow after I get some gas.
Also tomorrow I'll throw on the new platinum plugs (gapped a hair wider), 8.5 wires, and hook up the 6A box. (Got an accel module installed)

Got the day off tomorrow so I'll let ya all know what happens.

Also I want to thank everybody for all the tips and info. I've learned more in the last 6 or 7 months or however long about my car than in the previous 4 yrs I've owned it.

:lala:

Now where the ---- is my ------- catylic converter so I can get this ailing exhaust fixed?

 

Good luck on your endevours! I thought about replacing the distributor and such on my car, but never motivated myself enough to do it. You'll have to let us know how much of a difference you notice once you're done. Replacing the spark plugs and wires on my 3.1 wasn't too bad until the foremost one on the passenger side!! It was a complete PITA!! The driver's side of the car was just so much easier!! So be sure to let us know how it all comes out!

Mark

 

8 inch "wobbly" extension. w/3 inch wobbly to the ratchet works great. Just FYI...

 

Change plugs first thing in the AM w/beer for the scraped hands & knuckles!

 

Getting the spark plug out wasn't too hard, it was putting the spark plug wire on that was the PITA, sorry for the mistake there. Any tricks to that?

Mark

 

thin fingers... otherwise long skinny needle nose pliers, or the like...

 

Make sure you guys smear some dielectric grease (aka tuneup grease) inside the spark plug boots before you put your plug wires on. Otherwise, the plug boot can melt to the plug very easily, and you could tear a boot when removing a plug wire. The dielectric helps prevent against that- but it "can" still happen.

 

WD-40 is a very good second choice.

 

Dam Karl what do you do? Go after the plugs like a chicken on crack!?!?!? / J/K!

I found the key was to just go slow the first time and learn ware to put your hands ( kinda like dealing with a women!). After that it's a brezze. Now that I know the sweet spots it takes me 5 min. to do all 6 plugs.

WWasem,

After much fustration here's what I did. I carfully sliped the boot back far enough up the wire to expose the conector. Then used needle nose to push that sucker on. Then slipped the boot back down.

I'm 6' 6" and have big fingers to match. So learning how to get in to tight spots is a must! My spark plug wire pliar couldn't enough grip to push it on, but it works great at pulling the wire off with out destroying it.

 

I change parts after awhile.
I mean, new engine, new stuff, I will not have to touch it.
Many miles down the road, those plug cap won't be cooperative.
I have healthy hands, also.
Ouch.... I do like changing stuff in the AM. Cold cars are very cooperative!
Those exhaust 3.4 covers scrape alot.
I now use anti-sieze on the plug threads....
Call this detail a waste, but, I like to index my plugs, also.

 

I have heard of indexing, but never knew what it ment. What does it mean?

 

Indexing,
Exposing the spark plug igniting tip, so the flame/combustion/explosion occurs, unobstructed, by spark plug metal tip.
I draw a line on side of plug, so I know when the tip is unobstructed (pointing up to intake) while inserting.
I will waste the time to rotate plugs (change from cylinder to cylinder) until I get all the tips, flame/combustion/explosion occuring, unobstructed by metal tip.

Does it really work/help?

It is "one" way to get extra help (more HP (1-3).
Others will say I am wasting time (common real world varibles negate "gain").
Ask any old time racing engine tuner, they will answer
"It can't hurt, either!"
That's why Moroso sells plug indexing washers, for this purpose. I just rotate the 6plugs thru the cylinders, till I get a good indexing set.




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