I have a 2001 ss wanting to r/r spark plugs, obviously I can get to the front three, was wondering if getting to the back three is going to be as difficult as it appears, any suggestion or tips from someone who has done so would be much appreciated dealer is wanting like 240.00 to do it wow!

 

Put your car in park and push it back and forth and you will see the engine going back and forth. Once the engine goes forward quickly press the emergency brake and it should give you a little of clearance. Dont re-use the wires, sometimes when trying to pull the wires off the plug it can cause a short and make it misfire. Try to avoid Bosch plugs (Bad rep with a lot of vehicles). Try anti-seize to make it easier for the new plug/wire change. Dont mix up your wires! They should have a chart to examine how the plugs tips/electrode are burnt indicating if you may have a problem.

 

Can can also use a ratchet tie down and remove the dogbones and ratchet the engine forward.

 

Search button is your friend, This has been discussed many times and there is a lot of usefull threads about it

 

I put a blanket on the top of my engine and layed across it and pulled the back three plugs with very little problem. I also replaced the wires a couple of weeks later. I used AC-Delco replacement iridium plugs and Delphi wires. This was on my 2004 Dale Jr.


Wayne

 

I've done a couple plug changes now on a 3800 v6 (with out the California emissions pump some members have). I've NEVER had to rock the engine forward, or anything odd like that. Just lay across the car (cover with a blanket if you are concerned with damage to the paint, but 90% the paint is not at risk). Just reach for them, you can feel everything you need.

Important tip - Don't use BOSCH plugs (BOSCH wires are fine, just not plugs). I've had multiple issues (and known people with issues) using BOSCH plugs (such as failure brand new out of box OR misfiring 6 months later). AC-Delcos are your best bet.

 

If your gonna reuse the wire's be careful removing them. I would recommend doing 1 wire at a time so they don't get mixed up.

 

generaly why every one is saying becarfull or get new wires. is because when the engine cats hot to cold to hot again as well over time the original or is any electrical greace vanishis if any has been used. it causes the wires to shred apart when removing take your time when doing it. not just that if you get the new wires it is insurance for your self when you need to get new ones if one of them breaks. if they dont when doing the plugs at least you have them on hand when the next time you do the plugs. imop i would deeply inspect the wires one by one to see if they are worn do to high heat from the spark as well from the out side temp from the engine bay. it insures to see if there is a problem and remedy it when you are already there doing the plugs

 

My rule of thumb has been, change the wires when changing the plugs (usually there are a LOT of miles on those wires at that point, they get brittle, the wire itself is easy to brake in areas exposed to higher heat). The grease is no biggie, you can buy the packets of that at the parts store.

 

Thanx to all of you for the tips on R/R of the plugs and wires on my 01/ss I did wind up taking the dog bones off and rocking the car forward which gave me some clearance, I also removed the antifreeze resovoir which gave me access to the no. 2 plug also took off upper stabalizer bracket which gave me alot more access to the back plugs......