thegift

I about to do a tune up on my 1994 Firebird Formula, I know that the passenger side plugs are hell to get to, any suggestion on how I would make the job easier.

ulakovic22

Do a search and you will find some good tips. You have to go at some from the top and others from the bottom, you will just have to figure that out on your own since everyone is different and has different tools available. If you have skinny arms that is definitely a plus as well You do have to take off the alternator to get number 2 and might have to take the y-pipe off. I didn't, but I have read that others did.

96 TA

I had a terrible time doing the passenger side, it was a while ago but I believe I took off the starter, y-pipe and alt. I broke two manifold collector bolts while taking off the y-pipe so be careful!

Formula594

I did a spark plug and wire change on my 94 Formula recently, it would be easier for you if you would take out the y-pipe, just soak down the bolts with WD-40 to make it easier to unbolt.When taking out the y-pipe make sure to disconnect the O2 sensors if you take down the y-pipe with the O2 sensors still screwed on.On the passenger side you will need to remove the alternator to get to the #2 plug, and I took out the #4 plug from on top as well and the rest from the bottom.Oh, and I took out the tension pulley to make it easier for me to plug in the passenger side wires to the optispark.

StephenDeli22

Take the alternator off for #2, get it from the top. #4 was probably the easiest passenger side plug and I got it from the top. #6 can be gotten from either the bottom or the top, not really that hard of a plug. #8 almost has to be gotten from the bottom. It is tricky because you need to snake your arm around the ypipe and manuever around the 02 sensor with you hand. If you really need to, take the 02 out for more clearance. I think taking out the ypipe is unnecessary.

Wires on the passenger side are worse. Undoing the looms was actually the hardest part for me. Just do what works I guess...

Driver side is stupid easy. It will take you about a half hour to do. Routing the #7 wire is kinda hard due to the location of the stock manifolds and the little heat shield thingy it runs through.

LastZ4ME

Ah, the best part of headers. Shorts/Longs or Mid's. You can change the plugs with ease compared to the stock logs. That little cut down socket from SLP is worth it's weight in gold!!

Severous01

they make ratcheting wrenches that will fit over a spark plug socket...shave it down till the plug sticks out the end of the socket and use the rachet-wrench to pull plugs...it's amazing how much time it shaves not having to pull out the "special tools" to do this on our cars. i got most from under the car...leaving just the plugs right over the k-member to get from above.

StephenDeli22

I used a normal spark plug socket and had no problems.

thegift

The car that im about to do a tune up on has 220,000+ on the engine, so what should i look into doin besides the plugs and wires?

01Z

Here are the tools the I used to change the plugs. Maybe this will speed things along for you if you don't have to experiment with extensions etc... The only thing missing from the picture is the open end wrench I used on the short socket for #8. The wobbler extension was used on all the plugs except for #8 and for #2 (I didn't remove the alternator), the combination of lengths had no room for adjustment and the socket had to go on the plug first while the extension with ratchet was manipulated into the interlock. That plug alone took two hours initially but I can do it now in under 40 minutes. I have fairly large hands and forearms, something that apparently makes a difference on these cars in the engine compartment.

Be sure to use that copper colored antiseize on the plug threads and don't get it on the last few threads that meet the combustion chamber.

ashakeandfrys

On accident I broke the ceramic on the spark plug (passenger side..last plug)...and, after that, I tried a regular 5/8" socket; rather than the deep socket spark plug socket...and it was much easier to take out, with more clearance for the entire wrench and some of my hand to do the ratcheting!