How to reach sparkplug #3?

[99FirebirdV6]

ok.. i need to change spark plug #3... now i know its the middle one on the driverside. I can reach down and touch 1 and 5.. but there was no way i could even touch #3 sparkplug (wire). There is this thing coming out from the side of the engine right above plug #3... the exhaust manifold i believe. and there is no way i can reach or even touch #3 plug.

i read that yall have changed all the plugs.. so how on earth i am suppose to replace that. What am i doing wrong.. do i need to take off something or what? or do i need to go from underneath.

any help would be much appreciated.. i really dont want to take it to the mechanics and pay $200 to change the plugs.

its a 99 firebird.

thanks

[asdf1234]

If its underneath the manifold then you need to get it from the bottom. Its not easy and you'll probably need a swivel adapter for your socket wrench. It is possible though. We've all done it, for the most part.

[blackFbird_98]

I am pretty sure that you need to pull your manifolds off

[BLLDOGG]

Originally posted by blackFbird_98:
I am pretty sure that you need to pull your manifolds off

[img]graemlins/slap.gif[/img]

all plugs are accessable without removing anything. try it from the bottom and see how your luck holds up [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[phoenix6]

wow, Ive done all of them from the top. Didnt remove anything. Just get a small extension for the socket wrench. Its not that hard.

[zerofailure]

lol, i can finally add to the replys here, i changed my plugs a month ago for the first time after researching all the threads on this topic here. I changed all my plugs from the bottom except for the two that are on the front side of the engine on both sides. i literally crawled/sat on top of the engine carefully getting to those 2. i used a ratchet with a universal joint-- that is a necessity, i went out and bought one just for this job. And i used it on almost ALL of the plugs. the most difficult plug to get to is the middle one on the passenger side... other then that it is possible to do it as long as ure ratchet isnt to big, i beleave mine is 1/4 size and like 6 inches long. I beleave you should buy the same size ratchet.. if its too big it just makes it harder to get in there.

[loser]

Originally posted by phoenix6:
wow, Ive done all of them from the top. Didnt remove anything. Just get a small extension for the socket wrench. Its not that hard.

thats because you have tubular manifolds, us 99 and back dont :mad: :( . if u have a 2000 and up or have headers its easy.

[BLLDOGG]

i wouldnt call them headers ;) ....besides, there still a ***** to deal with

[robson]

i thought the middle one on the passenger side was the hardest .... it sucked ... 1st time i did it was today took about 4 hours for new plugs -n- MSD Super Conductor Wire instal

[V6viper]

i just changed mine about 2 weeks ago

you can get 1, 2, and 3 from the top of the car, and 4, 5, and 6 from the bottom

i found this the easiest IMO with a 5/8 spark plug socket, 3 inch extension, swivel socket, and a crow bar (to get some leverage on #3)

6 hrs later, all done
:rolleyes:

[phoenix6]

Originally posted by loser:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by phoenix6:
wow, Ive done all of them from the top. Didnt remove anything. Just get a small extension for the socket wrench. Its not that hard.

thats because you have tubular manifolds, us 99 and back dont :mad: :( . if u have a 2000 and up or have headers its easy. </font>[/QUOTE]Forgot about the manifolds being different, my bad.

[98 3.8]

The older manifolds aren't that bad. I didn't take them off when I did my plugs...no swivel tool or anything. Just a rachet with extensions.