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Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
I haven't done much wrenching on my 87 Pontiac Trans Am GTA 5,7 TPI. Car has automatic tranny, AC, cruise control and other options that fills the underhood area well. I want to do a minor tune up, but I fear the loss of space available for a plug change will have me struggling with it. It looks so tight, overall. What exact tools do you recommend for this very job in this exact car/engine? Please give me some hints of length of extensions and/or joints/angled tools that I should or must have. I have access to a hoist, too, if you recommend doing the job or part of it from underneath the car.
I dare emphasize I only wonder how it's done to the 5,7 TPI. And, ok, the 5,0 TPI if you're sure it looks the same.
Last edited by babyelephant; 05-17-2015 at 06:03 PM.
Cant remember the extension lengths off the top of my head but I do remember that the 2 plugs in the back on each side are a PITA from the top but they are possible to get out from the top. They are a breeze if you go underneath. Also you may or may not have a hard time pressing the plug wires onto the plugs based on the tight space, I remember getting really mad at it one time.
You'll need a spark plug socket, couple of extensions, ratchet, and anti-seize for when the new plugs go in. If you decide to do the last two plugs from the bottom then you'll need jack stands and a floor jack or a lift if its convenient.
When you slide the socket on a plug and its hard to fit the ratchet on use a wrench the same size as the end of the sock and slide it on from the side and break it loose that way.
Make sure you twist the rubber spark plug boots and break them free before just trying to pull them off. Also a big trick i learned is using a piece of fuel line/rubber hose that will fit over the end of the plug. once you get it lose, slip that over the plug and twist the hose to remove the plug. works great for putting hem in too. I recommend putting anti-cease on the threads too. make it much easier next time around.
I remember seeing that pic and reading the story about it online, I can't remember what the story was or how it happened but I remember it being something absolutely horrible to go through.
On topic wise, I saw a similar socket set to the harbor freight one posted above. I'm personally not sure if they'd be of any help in changing plugs but I am definitely gonna pick up a set of those now that I see harbor freight has a cheap set to try them out with.
I changed my plugs today on my 1991 Z28.The first 4 I did from the top without too much trouble, the back 4 I had to do from the bottom. I have no idea how you could even get the wires off from the top on those back 4 I had to jack the car up and put a block of wood underneath the wheels so I would have enough room. I spent a couple of hours and a few different tools.
It would be nice to have a hoist and then it would be a breeze.
When you slide the socket on a plug and its hard to fit the ratchet on use a wrench the same size as the end of the sock and slide it on from the side and break it loose that way.
Thank you everyone for your hints and information. I had to slide a wrench onto the socket in several cases. The most difficult one was number 7 because of limited access. Would be easier with oxygen sensor removed, but didn't dare because you never know what damage can be done while attempting to remove it... I had the car on a 4-post lift and changed all plugs except number 1 from underneath.
By the way: plugs weren't that bad, but my distributor cap and rotor wasn't good looking. Light hesitation/misfire seems to be gone now. I did the job in less than three hours including some coffee breaks, marveling and quite a good tap on my own shoulder after work was done. Thanks
I felt for a little update in this thread as I renewed the plugs in my car the other day. In the meantime I've bought me a Quick Jack lift and this helps out a lot doing the plugs. The number 7 one is still the worst, but I got them all. Just wanted to show you what tool I used, a 17 mm flexible ratchet spanner with an 17 mm to 1/2" adapter (of course I could also have done it with an 20 mm flexible ratchet spanner, but unavailable for me). Worked great where there's no room for regular tools.
I just finished doing my plugs for the first time, and it took me 5 hours.
Number 2 was really rough for me for some reason, and number 7 for sure. Those two took the longest by far.
It was just getting the threads to catch and then actually tightening them down, I was using a spark plug socket, which didn't wanna seat right, and 2 took some crazy finagling with a bendy and an extension.
I have the stock AIR system and AC system installed, which really didn't help. All in all, it was nice to get it done, and the car certainly sounds healthier, I'm doing the timing later today, and then the idle, see if I can't cure my last few codes.
05-17-2015, 05:33 PM
