Need advice from those that have changed spark plugs

[2ndAmend]

As you know, the 170 had a recall to replace spark plugs, I believe this is to prevent the engine failures we saw early on. Carfax shows the selling dealer did the recall replacement, and my local dealer was able to confirm through the dealer system. My concern is the standard: Can we trust the dealer and tech to do it right.

I am looking for advice from those that have done plug changes. I'd like to pull a few to check the plug brand and type as well as the gap. Maybe pull 4 at least for a look.

QUESTION:

Which plugs are the easiest to access?

Thanks!

 

[BULL]

My advice is to hire @16GoManGoHC2, he can do the whole set in 30min or less, guaranteed.

 

[1971demon]

My advice is to hire @16GoManGoHC2, he can do the whole set in 30min or less, guaranteed.

Don;t forget the "melon Head UnHoly Guy...he changes plugs more than I change my Avatar...

 

[16GoManGoHC2]

As you know, the 170 had a recall to replace spark plugs, I believe this is to prevent the engine failures we saw early on. Carfax shows the selling dealer did the recall replacement, and my local dealer was able to confirm through the dealer system. My concern is the standard: Can we trust the dealer and tech to do it right.

I am looking for advice from those that have done plug changes. I'd like to pull a few to check the plug brand and type as well as the gap. Maybe pull 4 at least for a look.

QUESTION:

Which plugs are the easiest to access?

Thanks!

#7, easy peasy, 5 minutes to get them 2 out.
And #7 has been one of the ones with the highest failure rates. I just checked mine, was only going to look at number seven, which turned into looking at them and then doing a leak down test and then it turned into well, I might as well do 5, and then 3, and then 1, and they were all perfect and I was going to be happy with that but unfortunately, I had to do the other side as well because I had to know lol. Number eight was a real bastard, getting the coil power plugs off is the biggest PITA in my opinion at least.
7000 miles on these plugs on corn, the dust on them is from my last Whipple (warranty replacement #6 Whipple) that dusted my engine with aluminum, that was my last Whipple!!

 

[Decay]

#7, easy peasy, 5 minutes to get them 2 out.
And #7 has been one of the ones with the highest failure rates. I just checked mine, was only going to look at number seven, which turned into looking at them and then doing a leak down test and then it turned into well, I might as well do 5, and then 3, and then 1, and they were all perfect and I was going to be happy with that but unfortunately, I had to do the other side as well because I had to know lol. Number eight was a real bastard, getting the coil power plugs off is the biggest PITA in my opinion at least.
7000 miles on these plugs on corn, the dust on them is from my last Whipple (warranty replacement #6 Whipple) that dusted my engine with aluminum, that was my last Whipple!!


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Leak down results? Good?

 

[vortecd]

#7, easy peasy, 5 minutes to get them 2 out.
And #7 has been one of the ones with the highest failure rates. I just checked mine, was only going to look at number seven, which turned into looking at them and then doing a leak down test and then it turned into well, I might as well do 5, and then 3, and then 1, and they were all perfect and I was going to be happy with that but unfortunately, I had to do the other side as well because I had to know lol. Number eight was a real bastard, getting the coil power plugs off is the biggest PITA in my opinion at least.
7000 miles on these plugs on corn, the dust on them is from my last Whipple (warranty replacement #6 Whipple) that dusted my engine with aluminum, that was my last Whipple!!


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Getting the coil pack plugs off is my hardest part also. I still have a theory you may be able to pull the coil packs and move them out of the way without unplugging them. I did that with one of them.

 

[16GoManGoHC2]

Leak down results? Good?

Yes, 2-3% max each cylinder. That’s pretty good cold siting for 2 months with big .028” ring gaps. I get very little blow by hot. A stick pretty new HC or RE engine is like 1% because rings gaps are tight, like .014”-.018”, which is good stock but also bad as if you start upping the HP, more boost etc, on them means more heat means more thermal expansion which with tight ring gaps means more chance of ring butting which can be disastrous quick. There’s an old saying that nobody knows when your ring gaps are on the large side, but everyone ends up knowing when they’re too small lol BOOM!! If I ever do another build or engine refresh I’m probably going to use a gapless gas ported top ring. When I did my engine, total seal did not recommend it but a year after my build they do, go figure lol

 

[Jon-MooredPerformanceLLC]

I'm thinking if you are going to pull 4 cylinders for a look you might as well pull the other 4 and replace them all. Get a spark plug socket thats magnetic with a swivel on it and then a wobble extension or 2 will help on top of that.

 

[fubar569]

Advice from someone that has...

Don't. I'd rather get 32 root canals from a homeless crackhead with no anesthesia.

OST did my last change. Dropped off Monday. Worked in in over the next couple days. Drove home like Wednesday or something. Under 500 with a set of brisk plugs IIRC. So well worth it to me.

 

[1971demon]

Advice from someone that has...

Don't. I'd rather get 32 root canals from a homeless crackhead with no anesthesia.

OST did my last change. Dropped off Monday. Worked in in over the next couple days. Drove home like Wednesday or something. Under 500 with a set of brisk plugs IIRC. So well worth it to me.

Advice from someone that has...

Don't. I'd rather get 32 root canals from a homeless crackhead with no anesthesia.

OST did my last change. Dropped off Monday. Worked in in over the next couple days. Drove home like Wednesday or something. Under 500 with a set of brisk plugs IIRC. So well worth it to me.

never had a root canal...or changed plugs on any of my cats....so I;m just lazy

 

[Decay]

never had a root canal...or changed plugs on any of my cats....so I;m just lazy

And have good teeth!

 

[2ndAmend]

Advice from someone that has...

Don't. I'd rather get 32 root canals from a homeless crackhead with no anesthesia.

OST did my last change. Dropped off Monday. Worked in in over the next couple days. Drove home like Wednesday or something. Under 500 with a set of brisk plugs IIRC. So well worth it to me.

Thanks. That's why I'd like to check 2 or 4 as QC. Do you agree with checking #7?

My other consideration was hiring the local dealer that has a tech I respect to do it. This tech ID'd 2 bad injectors that f'ked up my Land Speed Trials when they puked at 120. I did 204.980 after his fix. I worship him now!

 

[fubar569]

Most will wanna book 3-4hrs for the job. If you're ok with that labor hit I'd cut that check without hesitation. Or hire the guy on the side. Might be an option especially if he has facilities available and knows the tricks. I just know i'll never do another set until I have billet valve covers. If ever.

Plugs are cheap enough insurance themselves I usually do at least 1 set a year regardless. More if we absolutely dog the hell out of the car. I'll be preemptively scheduling a change for the gap between Buckeye Skips and Hot Rod Drag Week. That'll be...5 or 6 events on this set. That's enough.

 

[Linda's Hell Cat]

Advice from someone that has...

Don't. I'd rather get 32 root canals from a homeless crackhead with no anesthesia.

OST did my last change. Dropped off Monday. Worked in in over the next couple days. Drove home like Wednesday or something. Under 500 with a set of brisk plugs IIRC. So well worth it to me.

That's Right, I remember back in 2015 while we were part of the R&D and T&T Bruce Maichael telling my husband how much of a b!t@# it was taking out and changing the plugs
It probably is best to have someone who HAS done this task, do it.
Ive seen a couple of DIY modders say how they broke the spark plugs.