getting the plugs out...

[peteA]

Trying to change the spark plugs in my 98 4.2....used all the plug sockets I have and none fit!

The one that fits the new plugs is too big to go in the hole (no jokes please) and the one that fits in the holes is too small for the plug.

I will pop along to halfords or somewhere later today to see if there is a suitable socket but am wondering if i'm missing something...?

Are the spark plug holes a standard size or did TVR engineer them so that you had to go to the dealer the change a plug!

Thanks in advance

[cupra20v.t]

very interested in knowing this also as I plan a change of plugs and can bet my bottom dollar that my plug sockets will not fit.

[WIL35]

I use an old Halfords 3/8" socket set and the socket for smaller spark plugs fits ok. A couple of different length wobble extensions are useful, can't remember if I needed the flexi joint! I can only get the rear ones out by putting the socket on the plug first, then attaching the shorter extension, then putting the wrench on and finally putting some heavy duty gloves on to avoid a knuckles and metal moment!

[Tanguero]

I have a spark plug socket that came with a socket set from a pound shop that fits. The quality is complete rubbish but the thin walls mean it does work on the AJP plugs. It may be worth looking for the cheapest & crapiest set you can find on the basis that the socket walls are going to be thin...

[trackcar]

best one ive found is the snap on socket with the built in UJ bit. not cheap though, bet theyre 40 pounds these days ?

[peteA]

OK so nothing particularly special just a bit awkward....TVR's eh!

Will have a look about and see how I get on...fall back is to get the socket I do have turned on a laith so its thinner...?

Thanks guys

[TailHappy]

I did mine a couple of weeks ago. I used 3/8" plug socket modified with a bench grinder to reduce outer diameter. You will need 3/8" ratchet, 1 short extension, 1 long extension and a 3/8" UJ. It helps to have those extensions with the wobble ends, i bought a pair of wobble extensions from Halfwits for about £8.

[Scrooloose]

I used to have a similar problem on my VFR400.

Honda supplied something that looked like a long box spanner, maybe one of those would help?

[Ireland]

You need one like this

http://tinyurl.com/cgemyj

Double-check the size off your plugs but I'm pretty sure this is the right size.

[julian64]

peteA said:

OK so nothing particularly special just a bit awkward....TVR's eh!

Will have a look about and see how I get on...fall back is to get the socket I do have turned on a laith so its thinner...?

Thanks guys

Chrome vanadum, vs HS steel. Good luck with that

But seriously, unless your socket really is cheap mild steel only, the cutting tools on the lathe will have real problems touching it.

If you want to go forward I would suggest a toolpost grinder as a good option, or of course, hand grinding if you're a fussy lathe owner.

[peteA]

Ireland said:

You need one like this

http://tinyurl.com/cgemyj

Double-check the size off your plugs but I'm pretty sure this is the right size.

Ive been to halfords - no luck.

Been to the local motor accessory shop - had a socket like the one you suggest but its the same OD as my 10mm socket and hence wont fit. Have you actually used one to change your plugs...?

Im going to have another look tonight...maybe i was missing something..?

Otherwise going to call TVR HHC and see what they say.

Getting a bit peed off now as this is stoppingh me putting the engine back together and getting on with other jobs...

Cheers

[julian64]

peteA said:

Ireland said:

You need one like this

http://tinyurl.com/cgemyj

Double-check the size off your plugs but I'm pretty sure this is the right size.

Ive been to halfords - no luck.

Been to the local motor accessory shop - had a socket like the one you suggest but its the same OD as my 10mm socket and hence wont fit. Have you actually used one to change your plugs...?

Im going to have another look tonight...maybe i was missing something..?

Otherwise going to call TVR HHC and see what they say.

Getting a bit peed off now as this is stoppingh me putting the engine back together and getting on with other jobs...

Cheers

You sure you got this right. I did my TVR last with a halfords set. Its the old set, but its still halfords.

[clive f]

you mean one of these, m10 3/8" drive plug socket, fits nicely into the heads no problem



should cost about £3.

[Ireland]

peteA said:

Ireland said:

You need one like this

http://tinyurl.com/cgemyj

Double-check the size off your plugs but I'm pretty sure this is the right size.

.....Have you actually used one to change your plugs...?.....

Yes.

Worked fine.

One or two of the old plugs were very tight and I had to hook a ring-spanner on the end of the tool in the picture but other than that I had no bother with it.

[peteA]

julian64 said:

peteA said:

Ireland said:

You need one like this

http://tinyurl.com/cgemyj

Double-check the size off your plugs but I'm pretty sure this is the right size.

Ive been to halfords - no luck.

Been to the local motor accessory shop - had a socket like the one you suggest but its the same OD as my 10mm socket and hence wont fit. Have you actually used one to change your plugs...?

Im going to have another look tonight...maybe i was missing something..?

Otherwise going to call TVR HHC and see what they say.

Getting a bit peed off now as this is stoppingh me putting the engine back together and getting on with other jobs...

Cheers

You sure you got this right. I did my TVR last with a halfords set. Its the old set, but its still halfords.

Yeh!

Tried again last night - none of my gear fits the hole where the plug sits...thats my plug socket (already partially ground dound to fit a motorbike) and my tube type socket (although thats too long as well)...both are 10mm.

Going to try a long, thin, 10mm standard socket.

Also going to call TVR HHC just in case I am missing something here...its daft!

Thanks again guys - will let you know how I get on!

[peteA]

peteA said:

julian64 said:

peteA said:

Ireland said:

You need one like this

http://tinyurl.com/cgemyj

Double-check the size off your plugs but I'm pretty sure this is the right size.

Ive been to halfords - no luck.

Been to the local motor accessory shop - had a socket like the one you suggest but its the same OD as my 10mm socket and hence wont fit. Have you actually used one to change your plugs...?

Im going to have another look tonight...maybe i was missing something..?

Otherwise going to call TVR HHC and see what they say.

Getting a bit peed off now as this is stoppingh me putting the engine back together and getting on with other jobs...

Cheers

You sure you got this right. I did my TVR last with a halfords set. Its the old set, but its still halfords.

Yeh!

Tried again last night - none of my gear fits the hole where the plug sits...thats my plug socket (already partially ground dound to fit a motorbike) and my tube type socket (although thats too long as well)...both are 10mm.

Going to try a long, thin, 10mm standard socket.

Also going to call TVR HHC just in case I am missing something here...its daft!

Thanks again guys - will let you know how I get on!

Right - I'm not going mad...well, not for this reason anyway...

Just spoke with one of the guys at TVR HHC - apparently the earlier AJP V8s have a narrow opening or hole for the spark plugs...later spec engines presumably have a larger opening? The mechanic at TVR HHC has a 'narrowed' plug socket for just this job!

Now all i need is a similar socket by what ever means.

Worth knowing if any of you are considering changing your own spark plugs...

[itiejim]

I'll have to look at mine tonight, it's a very early car, registered May '96, albeit now uprated to a 4.5 I think the heads are original.

[darreni]

I uesd to use a thinwall sealey plug socket. I think snap on do one as well.

[hoppo4.2]

the plugs are a pain to get at i took a grinder to my cheepest socket so as to make it fir in he holes.

[peteA]

Well I managed to replace my plugs!

What a pain in the a*se though. Ive lost most of the skin on my knucles and fingers and at one point i was so pi**ed off I nealry turned to the dark side and started looking at porsches on the internet!

I ended up using a long, thin 10mm socket, small to large adaptor, knuckle joint, small extension and a rachet - it was a right fiddle. Even when you think right ''thats that one done'' getting the socket off the plug once it was nipped up was a pain.

Then I fitted the new leads - Q more hassle!

Never mind - all done now...I'm sure there will be those who are thinking whats the fuss, try changing x, y or z and thats a fair point but for what should be an relatively easy job this took ages!

Just posting this for others who might think its a quick job - it aint!

happy days...or at least hoping for them when the beast is back on the road!