plug change time OUCH!!

[67worshipper]

times come too change the plugs on jade.now i work on cars all day long so changing plugs aint a problem but where they are behind ida,s n all theyre abit of a pain ive decided to remove inlets,carbs pipework and throttle linkage to do this.what i was interested to know was if any of you have access panels in the wheelarches to make this easier.hookys a panel company over here do hi pacs which are like bolt in covers designed for this job.what do you lot do for this task?

[speedwell]

i've some panel in the wheelsarches , same with the speedwell manifold and the stromberg carbs , with the panel is easier to acces to the 1 & 3 plugs 

[Donny B.]

I put in some windows so I could change plugs in my car.  Although I don't have IDAs it is still a pain with my 42 DCNFs.

[Sarge]

I had windows cut in my '63 because all the intake manifolds were short back then making plug changing a total bitch.  The holes also came in handy for jet changes on the Solex 40P11's. 

[dirk zeyen]

i use plugs with 16mm wrench-size makes changing plugs a little more easy, if you don't like to cut holes in your car

dirk zeyen

[67worshipper]

what plugs you using dirk?

[lawrence]

I have not had problems changing the front(of engine) plugs in a oval window engine compartment with IDAs and tall manifolds, although it is not a fun job. It is just a matter of finding a good combination of ratchet and extension. It seems like a lot more work to remove the carbs and linkage everytime the plugs needed to be checked.

Is it necessary to jack the car up or remove the tires to access the windows? This also seems like more work than is needed.

[Jim Ratto]

When I ran DRLAs and IDFs I had windows. DRLAs to get to mixture screws and bypass screws, IDF's to get to the (daily) plugging idle jets.
When I ran SF heads with 48IDAs and 36hp-copy shroud, changing plugs was a breeze, even on #1 & #3. I used a magnetic Snap On plug socket and swivel 3/8" ratchet or a 19mm open end wrench on 1 & 3
Nowadays, my plugs are impossible to get out of 1 & 3 without taking carbs off first. I usually take carbs off and leave intake manifolds on, that give me enough room. While the carbs are off I clean them, and grease accelerator ramp and roller.
Typically plug change is part of a "full service" on my car.... oil change, filter change, check torque on lower 4 head studs (per side), check pushrods, valve adjust, plugs, clean carbs, check manifold-to-head nuts, flash timing. Then adjust brakes/handbrake, check tires out, add waher fluid, clean wiper blades, check lights, check trans oil. Long day....

[dirk zeyen]

hello,

my original plugs are WR 7 DC ( 14mm long reach) the same plug with 16 mm wrench-size is a FR 7 DC. this are bosch plugs.
you can tell me what plug are you using and i will let you know what is the same plug with 16 mm wrench-size on monday.

dirk zeyen

[67worshipper]

i agree with you lawrence.the front plugs arent a problem to change.the problem is 1 and 3 at the rear.the hi pac panels do require removal of the rear wheels to access.

[67worshipper]

dirk when i took one plug out earlier i think it was WR 7 CC which is a standard 14mm thread size.the 16mm wrench size would make things easier

[dth]

Barry ,before i got rid of my tinware i used to use a plug socket with with the provision to use a spanner on the end instead of ratchet ,was never a problem .although i suppose it depends on what manifolds are fitted

[dirk zeyen]

hello,

tomorow is no working day here in germany,  so check your plug-code just to be on the save side and tell me, and on monday i will call the bosch-suport here in germany. i have a good boy working there.

dirk zeyen

[Sarge]

I've still got my original turned down plug socket from the old days.  It's a Craftsman (Sears) piece that is hexed inside the full length of the socket with about 15mm trimed off the big end.  I used a bench grinder on the other (wrench) end to taper the top of the socket.  A must have for short manifolds and a big help with the tall ones.

[67worshipper]

Barry ,before i got rid of my tinware i used to use a plug socket with with the provision to use a spanner on the end instead of ratchet ,was never a problem .although i suppose it depends on what manifolds are fitted

i,ll have a go at that don.theyre tall manifolds btw

[67worshipper]

ive managed to remove my plugs today.took me an hour with the biggest chunk of time to numbers 1 and 3.i think jim was right with the flexible head type of ratchet which i will invest in shortly.on the talk of plugs what are people using? are people sticking to bosch or is it ngk nowadays? im fitting plugs everyday and mostly ngks. ive got bosch WR 7 CC which are a touch on the black side so some tuning to do there i think

[dirk zeyen]

there is no need for windows, to turn the mixture screws of drla carbs, you need a special tool like this, not very nice but it works...

[LuftsickTero]

When I ran DRLAs and IDFs I had windows. DRLAs to get to mixture screws and bypass screws, IDF's to get to the (daily) plugging idle jets.

As being not familiar with IDFs what's this daily plugging idle jets?