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Spark plug removal headaches!

70 RR

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I have a 440 motor with Edelbrock EStreet heads and Hooker headers. I have Champion RC12YC plugs that require a 5/8" socket. I am thinking about buying a Snap On spark plug ball swivel socket, is it worth the money? If you have any other tricks to getting these plugs out, l'd love to hear them and my knuckles will be happy too!
 
The Snap On swivel socket might be nice to have, but on my car I can get a 5/8 box end wrench on the ones I can't get to with a socket and turn them just enough to loosen 'em. Wear gloves.
 
The aluminum heads make it difficult to get in there with a box end. I may have to try the swivel socket. Thanks for the input though.
 
Try a ratcheting box end or a crows foot? How about just a uni-wiggle attached to a 5/8" Socket? Snap On does make great tools.
 
just use a spark plug socket with a hex end(where it would hook to the socket wrench)put it on the plug and loosen it a bit from there with an open end wrench.then take a short peice of rubber hose that fits tight on the end of the spak plug(where the wire hooks to it)and spin the plugs out with that.super cheep and saves your knuckles.reverse to install.
 
i have the same problems with my heads, cant even get a socket around them. i did a compression check recently, and couldnt get that one plug out unless i would have to unbolt the header on that side.
 
I've got super comps on mine. The 5/8 plug socket I was using was hitting on a primary tube. I had to use an open end wrench on the plug itself. Then I thought maybe I'll try just a plain 5/8 deep wall socket....well that actually fit. Go figure.
 
I can remember in my younger days doing a plug change was a snap. When I did one on my Bee lately I had to crawl under the car to get 6&8 fingered in. I know I didn't go through that when I was in high school. Age sucks.
 
I was actually able to get them all using either the spark plug socket with a universal and extension or just the socket and a ratchet box wrench. Well, I should say until number eight and then the fun began. I had to come under with an open end to break it loose and the work it out. Couldn't crawl under to do it because the torsion bar was in the way, had to come under from the top! I do like the idea of the rubber hose to fit over the end of the plug though. Good luck all and thanks!
 
It has been a year since I last posted on this issue and I have a solution. GET RID OF THE HOOKER HEADERS AND REPLACE THEM WITH TTIs! I did some research and although Hooker makes a quality header and great for stock heads, they don't match up well with aftermarket aluminum heads and their angled plugs. TTI headers are expensive but you can't beat their quality and fit. Spend a little more, you'll be happy you did.
 
I have used a chisel and a hammer to get a tight plug out.... not a joke... not what you're thinking at first but I'll explain..... position the chisel on the surface of the plug where the wrench goes about an 1/8" from the leading edge just to catch and cut into the edge thw chisel will dig in and if you're going rhe right way it will want to loosen the plug helps it the chisel is not sharp but a little bit used.... on nutz and bolts that are tight and frozen and are just a few degrees from getting a good bite on it.... be careful not to slip you can tighten a bolt that way also in a g hard to reach area its like an impact driver... may not be the best for everyone or everything but it has got me out of trouble...
 
My stealth heads do not have the angled plugs the eddys have but #2 #4 are a bitch for me. I use open end wrench on #2 and a plug socket with a nut built into the end then open end to loosen enough to hand screw. the rest are not bad, now that I have power brakes #5 & 7 are bit tough.
 
I am thinking about buying a Snap On spark plug ball swivel socket, is it worth the money?


Since you resurrected the thread anyway, I'll address the original question, YES, they are worth the money, I have both the 5/8 and 13/16 Snap On ball swivel plug sockets, worth their weight in gold, they prevent a lot of plug breakage in tight spots, better than Mac and the other ones, had mine for 16 years so far, wouldn't be without them.
 
I have 383 with stock exhaust manifolds... I use regular extended docket but small ratchet with small extension, gloves for sure.. Most I get pretty easy but I just loosen them up with ratchet and take out by hand. That's what seem to be best for me.. No matter what I try, it sucks! Good luck
 
For those wondering what that $59 USD Snap On socket looks like:

snapon.jpg
 
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