Plug change. 😤

Mad4slalom

Well-known user
Hi all , following up from my “rate my plug” post . I changed all the plugs this weekend and did an oil and filter change. I did the rear four plugs from underneath and the front four from the top. Fired her up to find that she is annoyingly on only 7 cylinders . The plug caps are buried under the manifolds and heat shielding and were very tight to get off and on again. I have pulled and re fitted caps a couple of times but still running lumpy. I only had one cap off at a time so not mis fitted lead. Very frustrating as it was running smoother before I touched it 🫣 Back out to have another play after tea. Every time i re start it after trying each lead the manifolds are too hot to get close . Bloody frustrating afternoon. I have tried pulling off leads ad running to see if one makes it worse , i have’nt found one yet that does. I eonder if i have fouled a plug now. Maybe I should run it up the road to see if it clears? I think the caps are in place , i just cant get that nice solid click that tells you they are on properly on some of them . Any suggestions welcome. For those that helped with ideas on “rate my plug” over last couple of days, I found the valve cover bolts went up a bit but cant see a lot of oil around the back of them or the heads. And the sump bolts went up a third of a turn easily. Whether it could be a leaky rear main seal dripping into the bellhousing i dont know . Will keep you posted. Thanks all. 👍
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
With engine at idle if taking 1 plug wire off spark plug and placing the connector near exhaust and see if any sparking
Of course wear gloves :)
 

62 C1

CCCUK Member
First check that you can actually see the plug connector because sometimes they pull into the cap if you have had a tough time getting them lose. Is so you can push the lead back through with the help of so WD40. Second use a spark plug continuity tester to check you haven't broken the core in the lead(s) which again can happen if removal was a struggle.

If you haven't got any I also bought some of these which are great for loosening the plug without stressing the lead - less than £10 on amazon

1746534723023.png
 

antijam

CCCUK Member
If you've got a timing lamp stick it on each plug lead in turn and see if the lamp fires. When it doesn't that's the cylinder with the problem. Alternatively an infrared laser thermometer (something like this) targeted on each port of the exhaust manifold will pick up which cylinder isn't firing.
 

Mad4slalom

Well-known user
First check that you can actually see the plug connector because sometimes they pull into the cap if you have had a tough time getting them lose. Is so you can push the lead back through with the help of so WD40. Second use a spark plug continuity tester to check you haven't broken the core in the lead(s) which again can happen if removal was a struggle.

If you haven't got any I also bought some of these which are great for loosening the plug without stressing the lead - less than £10 on amazon

View attachment 30035
One had pulled into the cap , the others are just sooo tight. Will have another look this eve when I get back from hants piano trip.
Thanks all 👍
 

Chris Sale

CCCUK Member
These are some useful plug tools.........

1) Powerbuilt 648423 L-shape Spark Plug Boot Puller. Helps avoid the damage you can see in the lower boot:
IMG_3991.JPG

2) Lisle 51250 Spark Plug Wire Puller. I had to shorten the handle as shown to be able to use it on my 327. Similar principle to the Powerbuilt tool, but useful when plug shield brackets make life difficult:
IMG_2678.JPG

3) This flexi gadget can make it easier to start threading a new plug. I don't have a part reference, but I always see them at the NEC:
P1000615.JPG
Chris Sale
'64 Coupe
 

Mad4slalom

Well-known user
These are some useful plug tools.........

1) Powerbuilt 648423 L-shape Spark Plug Boot Puller. Helps avoid the damage you can see in the lower boot:
View attachment 30039

2) Lisle 51250 Spark Plug Wire Puller. I had to shorten the handle as shown to be able to use it on my 327. Similar principle to the Powerbuilt tool, but useful when plug shield brackets make life difficult:
View attachment 30040

3) This flexi gadget can make it easier to start threading a new plug. I don't have a part reference, but I always see them at the NEC:
View attachment 30041
Chris Sale
'64 Coupe
Thanks chris for that info, I will get one of those , trying to use two 65 year old fingertips and struggling 😵‍💫👍
 
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