I just purchased a 1976 as a fixer upper and one of the first things we did was replace the spark plugs which even though they were difficult to get to were not as difficult as I initially expected with the exception of #7 which we can get to with a flexible neck ratchet with extension, however because of the angle when we screw in the new plug and attempt to remove the ratchet it then breaks the end off of the spark plug. (we tried three times and broke each one consistently, right now it is just sitting with #7 finger tight which ain't no good).

Any suggestion on the appropriate tool combination to successfully replace it?

Thanks

|UPDATED|3/14/02 12:57:53 AM|/UPDATED|

Some of these plugs can be very difficult at times to service . Number seven can be a b*&%$#& , but if you jack up the left side of the car, #7 can be easily reached and tightened using a box end wrench from underneath . I hope this helps you with the problem !!

G

You got it George, combination wrench, even might be able to do it from the top, or for sure from below, REMEMBER Jack stands


Dave
Mr69vett

Dave I think we both for got to mention , being a magician while standing on your head also helps at times !!

G

First question? Are you running headers? I usually have no trouble with #7, but if push comes to shove, I hit it from underneath.

Running Headers? Hmm... perhaps I should have prefaced my original post by saying that I purchased the car 2 weeks ago to learn and fix up, I know the very basics about cars and little else, I am mostly relying on my brothers tools until I can convince the girlfriend to budget anything else. It is basically about as stock as it gets. (with A/C), I personally have not tried to get to the spark plug, but my brother ended up replacing most of them from underneath without the car jacked.

Additionally this was under sub-optimal conditions (Dark outside in a parking lot with the only major source of lighting being the parking lot light we had to push it under) so it may in fact be a snap to get to it in better lighting conditions while the car is on jacks.

I intend to jack it up this weekend to change the oil and hopefully replacing #7 will not be as difficult as it originally appeared to be under more agreeable circumstances.

Hey Forrest,

I was able to get at all the plugs from above on mine using a regular spark plug socket, a wobble joint, and a rachet. Getting 'em out was relatively easy, getting 'em back in was a little more of chore as the stock exhaust manifolds limited the vision, even with all of the ignition shielding removed. I don't have power steering, power brakes, or A/C either so guess that adds some elbow room under the hood. Don't know how much headers would factor into the equation, but would assume the plug access varies by brand.

Good advice on the jack stands also - don't crawl under without 'em in place! A good set of ramps would be an option as well.

Vision is definately limited, mostly we are doing it by feel and the extra junk is mostly what restricts the range of motion we need just to get the ratchet off once it is tightened without breaking it.

I envy and appreciate the kind of space you must have under the hood, a friend of mine used to have a 69 Nova that he had ripped everything un-essential out from under the hood, needless to say there was no problem getting to anything under the hood and he could install a third seat next to the engine with room to spare.

Alas I'm too much of a sissy, I live in Texas and I wanted to have the factory AC that I can get working again because as it is I understand the C3s have a cabin temp that kills anyway. (also plan on some heavy duty insulation when I replace the interior)

Definately going with the jack stands, I'm supposed to drive my Vette into the ground, not the other way around. hehehe

The best tool by far for changing spark plugs with rams horn manifolds is a 1" long extension. Put that on the spark plug socket and the ratchet will just clear the manifold without hitting anything else. Joe

Hey Forrest, might sound like a dumb question...but. Did you try through the wheel well? I'm not sure becuase I can get all of mine on my 82 with an offset ratchet.