I need to change the spark plugs. My problem is getting to the three plugs near the fire wall. Anyone have any idea's? Will I need to get to them from under the car? Any special tools? Thanks

 

Sorry I can't be any more help, but I have seen other people ask this same question before. If you do a search, you should be able to find other people's threads that have been started on this problem. I'm glad I don't have the same problem with my 5.3!

 

You should be able to get to them. I have an L67 and it's easy to do the spark plugs, just use an extension if you need it.

 

Remember, put the car into neutral, unbolt the dogbones in the front, and pry the engine forward I use ratched straps to hold it into place while doing my work. It actually does rock forward quite a bit to help you in accessing the backside of the engine.

 

X2...

 

Though I felt like a contortionist by the time I was done, I was actually able to get the three rear plugs swapped out without rotating the engine forward. Very tight back there, but doable. The biggest hindrance were the springy connectors at the end of stock spark plug wires. They wanted to stretch out without releasing their grip on the plugs. I replaced my plug wires with better aftermarket wires to make the job easier the next time around.

That being said, I agree it would be much easier to first rotate the engine forward as augi stated.

 

Lol, I actually did that exact thing and lost my tools in the process before learning about the rotating of the engine... needless to say, I still haven't seen my tools, except the ratchet wedged in the front of the engine compartment(how it got there, ill never know)

I was pretty mad when I figured out that you can rotate the engine

 

The back three are a little tricky, but you don't have to rotate the engine forward to get to the back three. Just remove the bracket that's above the rear valve cover and you'll have plenty of space to work on it. When you get good at it you'll be able to change all 6 plugs in about 15-20 minutes.

 

Doh! Why didn't I think of that... Sounds almost too good to be true. When I get home tonight I need to check out my '02 Monte's engine and make sure the same thing applies. Thanks, Zipper.

 

No problem. I don't have any pics of the bracket, but you don't actually need it. I haven't had my bracket for years now and it really cleans up the engine bay nicely by removing it. Here's a couple of pics that show how much space you have without it: