Spark plug change with long tube headers

[87ChevyR10]

What a PITA it is to change 5, 7, 6, & 8 with long tube headers! I got all driver side changed, but only 2 and 4 on passenger side. I found #6 plug wire wasn't attached to plug. Looked inside and it is all white with a white spot at base of boot on the outside. Engine been running fine like this. #6 and #8 didn't get changed today. I couldn't get at a good angle to get to them.

Plug #1 electrode was all white with build up on electrode and engine oil on the threads. #2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 were brown and dry. Don't know about #6 and 8 yet.

Anywho, can anyone suggest an easier way to get at #6 and #8? Thanks!

EDIT: After doing some reading, it appears cylinder #1 is burning a bit of oil, hence the white build-up on the end of spark plug.

 

[donmateo]

I don't have long tubes but my drivers side was a PITA on 5 & 7 especially.

 

[bucket]

They are easy-peasy when you are accustomed to headers, it's all in the tool selection. With stock heads, an offset box-end wrench is usually your best friend.

 

[donmateo]

They are easy-peasy when you are accustomed to headers, it's all in the tool selection. With stock heads, an offset box-end wrench is usually your best friend.

Good tip...will keep that in mind. I need to buy a house so I can have more than a tool box of tools. lol

 

[smoothandlow84]

It depends on the headers and how they are bent. The only tough plug for me is #8. It helps that i don't have any inner fenderwells.

 

[87ChevyR10]

It depends on the headers and how they are bent. The only tough plug for me is #8. It helps that i don't have any inner fenderwells.

My truck still does. Hopefully the offset box-end wrench will do the trick.

I hadn't touched the plugs on my truck since the header install about 2 years ago. No misfires over that course. Just took a notion to change them. Still happy to see only 1 plug not looking quite right. I'm hoping the oil burning is related to a bad intake manifold gasket. That's one of the items on my to-do list for this summer.

 

[79 chevyman]

I have long tube headers myself i just use a 5/8 wrench on the ones i cant get with the socket.

 

[bucket]

There are also some simple yet fancy spark plug sockets too, but the wrench usually does it in most cases.

When I mention the box-end wrench previously, I should have clarified. There's a couple different offset styles, the one that works best for plugs is the style that has a minor offset on just the 12pt portion itself. Sort of like a super shallow well socket welded to the wrench.