How to: Change plugs and wires in 20 min

[Addicted to eaton]

I'm a bigger guy. So getting to the back 3 plugs on my 97 GTP is always almost impossible and takes 20-25 min A PLUG! Well not any more!

 

steps

 

1. Take off the Drivers side wheel

 

2. pull the plastic guard down that keeps you from seeing the UDP and Belts.

 

3. get a 15 mm ratcheting wrench and take the two bolts off the top of the lower Motor mount. (you can use a standard 15mm socket and ratchet But it is not easy.

 

4. Get a 2x4 about 2 feet long and place it across you oil pan and transmission pan. And place you jack in the middle. Jack up slowly and carefully.

 

5. Standing on the passenger side fender I was able to reach all the way across. The back 3 plugs and do it in a timely fashion and be comfortable.

 

[5speedz34]

I've only really done plugs once on a Series II, and even then I was helping. Is it really that difficult for heavier people to do the rear plugs?

[Addicted to eaton]

it was hard for my friend to do it and he weights 140 pounds... there jut a bitch to get to.

[5speedz34]

My guess is you have to stretch over the whole engine bay?

 

[Octavarium454]

I am skinny so I really didn't have a problem reaching in there, but even then it was still a pain in the ass.

[hotrodolds]

I had no problem. Did all six in under thirty minutes. I'm 5'9", 260lbs.

[Euro]

That seems like kind of a bitch to do just for plugs, although if plugs are anything on the 3800 like they are on the 3.1..I'd be looking for alternative methods myself!!! I remember doing them on the Lumina, I was pretty much squatting on the rad support trying to reach back there

[hotrodolds]

The L36/L67 is easier to do in a first gen than a 3100 is. I don't know why, but it is.

[carkhz316]

I've always just yanked the top "dogbone" mounts off (LH0, whatever second gen 3100 is, LQ1, and L36), and always been able to do plugs and wires on all of these in about 30 minutes at a casual pace if I don't get distracted. I'm also a 200lb guy.

[Night Fury]

I get faster each time I do plugs. I did the L32 in my comp G most recent, took less than half an hour for plugs AND wires, including routing them correctly and everything.

[daytonboi]

I think when I did mine it took me about 40min, albiet on a 3100 and i used an engine tilter.

 

Lisle engine tilter (become a little hard to find and more expensive)

 

Thexton 419X (generally cheaper and much easier to find)

 

Pay no real mind to the audio this was all off top of my head

[RobertISaar]

good thing i don't want/have any 3.8s.... i have to literally sit on the intake to be able to reach the rear plugs on the 3100 and 3.1...

[hotrodolds]

The 3800 is easier to do.

 

[BXX]

Yeah, WTF is so hard about doing plugs and wires on a 3800??

 

Removing a wheel and fuckin with an engine mount just seems stupid to do plugs..

 

Rotate the engine just a bit if its that hard really.

[jeremy]

the plugs on my l67 were a snap

[slick]

Yeah.... I had absolutely no issue doing them on several 3800 cars I've worked on. Generally 10 or so minutes for the rears, another 5-10 minutes for the front. Isn't even like I was trying to rush through, it's just that simple.

[94 olds vert]

My dad never complained about changing the plugs on his GTP.

[Andrew]

for me, once i removed that rear bracket that holds the engine cover down, its a cake walk.

 

also, you can rotate the engine easily using the left dog bone. the bracket on the engine has two holes, so just remove the bolt, pull the engine towards you, and run the bolt thru the second hole.

[mra32]

That seems like kind of a bitch to do just for plugs, although if plugs are anything on the 3800 like they are on the 3.1..I'd be looking for alternative methods myself!!! I remember doing them on the Lumina, I was pretty much squatting on the rad support trying to reach back there

 

I spent a few hours sitting indian-style on my intake plenum doing them when I did them on my car. It sucked, but I couldnt tell you what was holding me up. It was the first time I had done them on any car. And I was like 150 Lbs at the time

[94 olds vert]

My dad took a more violent approach and had me use a crow bar while he put in the plugs.

 

I think he loosened up both torque mounts first.

[sl3196]

for me, once i removed that rear bracket that holds the engine cover down, its a cake walk.

 

 

That's the ticket right there! I can get all 3 easy in 10 minutes or so.

[Night Fury]

good thing i don't want/have any 3.8s.... i have to literally sit on the intake to be able to reach the rear plugs on the 3100 and 3.1...

 

Your comment makes no sense. It is much easier on a 3800 than a 3100, and FAR easier than a 3.1

[digitaloutsider]

You have to be some sort of special to pull a fucking wheel to do the spark plugs on a 2G 3800 W-body. I don't care if you arms are the size of tree trunks, you can get behind the motor with zero problems. Jesus, I can do the plugs on a 3.1 1G in 20 minutes.

[Brian P]

wait... I was following until the drivers wheel had to come off....

 

If you want a real half ass way of doing it, unbolt one side of the upper dogbone mount(s), place a jack with a long block of wood under the transmission pan at the very edge and jack up about 2-3 inches. It's Just enough to tilt things forward, and very VERY half assed but I don't see that being an issue ITT.

[Addicted to eaton]

lol guys... i was changing the motor mount.. i just noticed it was WAY easier to go with it jacked up lol!