How to: Replace your sparkplugs in 20 minutes

[jrevans]

That's a great write up! Thanks for doing that. I'm sure I'll have to change my plugs someday and I would have never thought of using the plug wrench that came with the tool kit. Neat.

BTW, is that the wheel of a 95 Z-28 that I see in the one picture? Sorry, I'm and f-body addict and it stuck out at me.....

[killernoodle]

Awesome!

It took me like 30 minutes to do mine, I had a lot harder time getting the plug wires back in than taking them off. You cant get much leverage to shove them on there.

Oh, and its probably a good idea to put anti-sieze on the spark plug threads before tightening them back down.

[jeepcoma]

Good points:

segue: yes it's certainly fine (and wise) to immediately reinstall the plug before moving along to the next one. I live life on the edge and like the danger associated with an open hole to the cylinders. If you put the new plug in, just make sure you leave the wire disconnected until you're done with the plugs. Otherwise it will be really difficult to continue.

jrevans: got it in one. You want to talk about hard to reach spark plugs, I'm sure you know the FZ6 is a piece of cake compared to an LT1.

noodle: I think I'd recommend against using anything on the threads on this bike. It's a centrally located plug completely sealed by a rubber boot: there's nothing to rust up, no way crud can get it, and with an aluminum head it's not necessary and I'd be more worried about it causing problems down the road. Keeping the threads clean on the head and plug, plus a fresh crush washer every time you torque a plug is your best bet for easy removal every time.

[831FZ6]

Let me know when you come out with the full 'how to manual for the FZ6'. I'd buy one in a heartbeat. You did an awesome job with this post!

[jeepcoma]

What else would be a useful writeup?

[wpgibson]

This needs a sticky.

[segue00]

Jeep, next should be "Tire replacement with balancing, wheel alignment and wheel bearing repacking on the FZ."

[supergengo]

Excellent write up. Very useful.

[JamminJimmy]

Ditto-Ditto-Ditto! Thanks for a great procedure! You and this forum in general have been awesome for making life much easier- turning big headaches into small hiccups.... Thanks again!

[jrevans]

Originally Posted by jeepcoma

Good points:
jrevans: got it in one. You want to talk about hard to reach spark plugs, I'm sure you know the FZ6 is a piece of cake compared to an LT1.

I'm still scarred from the last plug change. Actually, I can do all of my LT1 plugs in about half an hour now. I have SLP shorties on, with MSD-32129 wires routed nicely and one shorty accel plug on the bad cylinder. Oh, the real secret is using an O-Rachet on the plugs, that lets the ceramic pass through. That and learning how to lay across your engine and do the whole thing by feel....

[FIZZER6]

Excellent write up, will come in handy when I hit 8,000 miles


One thing you need to add is: APPLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF HIGH TEMP ANTI-SIEZE LUBE TO THE THREADS OF THE NEW SPARK PLUGS BEFORE INSTALLING!

[golden child]

i changed my plugs recently, took me 30mins. (1st time doing it) it"s easier if you remove bottom rad mounting bolt and bracket holding r/h top hose. rad can be be moved to give better access. nbr one plug is a bitch though:-(

[nasaman]

Jeepcoma, I liked your sparkplug procedure so much I condensed it slightly to fit an 8 1/2 x 11 page (front & back) & included your photos in MS Word ....for easy reference by anyone while doing the job. Anyone who'd like a copy can email me directly at nasaman@earthlink.net & ask for the "20 min Sparkplug Changeout" & I'll send you the MS Word files. (Don't PM me --Word files can't be attached to PMs.)

[Wakey]

Thanks jeepcoma!

Just crossed 16 k after a 360 mile trip to the Cherohala Skyway yesterday.

Now for the test ride

[Troubl]

Jeep, thanks for the fantastic post! I'm drain-bamaged when it comes to fixing/working on things, but I think I might actually give that one a shot rather than take it to Joe Mechanic. Excellent job with the step-by-step!