Trick to remove spark plugs?

[KKolds]

93 Cutlass with 3.4. Is there a trick to removing the spark plugs near the firewall?

[Doubt_Incarnate]

i worked with a guy that had the tdc 3.4 in a GP and he showed me all he had to do was pull a rubber cowl seal off and his ratchet would just fit

[birdman]

if that dont work the way the book tells you to do it is to remove the upper plenum, its not that hard but adds to the costs because you have to get plenum, egr, and coolant gaskets about 30 dollars. good time to port polish and gasket match.

[Kevwood]

I use to have a hell of a time reaching the back plugs, but found an easy way to get to them;

Remove the engine side bolt from the dog bone and swing it down out of the way, push the car forward (while in park, best whith a friend pushing) and put the park brake on. You will have rocked the engine forward and locked it there with the brake - now there is plenty of room to work.

When I had the motor out of my current Z34, I cut 3 provisions out of the firewall lip underneath the rubber moulding, now it's a piece of cake to get at the plugs without moving anything.

[bud36light]

run a search on the site. We had a couple of pretty good threads going there for a while.

[GTP091]

Removal of Rear spark plugs

It's easier than that. Pull off the hood seal above the firewall and you'll see three spots cut from the factory sheet metal to allow a socket extension in there. Be sure to wrap electrical tape around the socket and extension to keep it from falling off when your in there.

[SappySE107]

RE: Removal of Rear spark plugs

There are no spots cut from the factory sheet metal unless you put them there.

[OldSkoolGP]

I still think the dogbone detachment method is the best cuz it's easy and very effective. Plus, my motor naturally rocks forward with it off. That's what new, rock hard motor mounts getcha!

[timg]

I agree about the electrical tape. Without it, it's VERY easy to have your spark plug socket stuck in the head.
With proper extensions and flex joints, I don't have to remove the rubber seal or tilt my engine.

Tim

[RednBlack]

Re: RE: Removal of Rear spark plugs

There are no spots cut from the factory sheet metal unless you put them there.

LikeI did. I change all 6 in 10 mins. Have for 2 years thanx to this site.

[Lyle's GTP]

RE: Re: RE: Removal of Rear spark plugs

It depends on the type and year of the car. Some cars you can't without cutting and some you HAVE to remove the plenum.

Lyle

[GTP091]

Re: RE: Removal of Rear spark plugs

There are no spots cut from the factory sheet metal unless you put them there.

Yes they are cut from factory and they are put there for spark plug removal. I've seen them on other W-body parts cars from the same era.

[Husky]

Maybe some enterprising mechanic did it so he could get it done quicker, then he did it to all 3.4s he came across.

[Rosez34]

no cuts in my car...i just bent the lip up and then back down when i was done.

[GndPrxRcr]

I still think the dogbone detachment method is the best cuz it's easy and very effective. Plus, my motor naturally rocks forward with it off. That's what new, rock hard motor mounts getcha!

the dogbone trick is the best. just remove it (or them), put the car in N and pull the motor fwd and put the car in gear (or P). just make sure the e-brake is on. it real isn't that hard.