Ok, what tool are you guys using to install 4,6,8 spark plugs in AFR BBC heads?? I have hooker 2455's. #2 was easy, #4 and #6 are finger tight but too close to the header pipe to get a socket over. # 8 ,forget it, i can't even get that one started, can't fit my hand in there from above or below.(car has A/C) With the plugs being so recessed in the head, how could you use anything but a socket? Do I have to pull the header? Jeez I hope not. I'm almost ready to fire this thing up so tensions are on the rise around here! Thanks alot.
Steve

Originally posted by SMS:
Ok, what tool are you guys using to install 4,6,8 spark plugs in AFR BBC heads?? I have hooker 2455's. #2 was easy, #4 and #6 are finger tight but too close to the header pipe to get a socket over. # 8 ,forget it, i can't even get that one started, can't fit my hand in there from above or below.(car has A/C) With the plugs being so recessed in the head, how could you use anything but a socket? Do I have to pull the header? Jeez I hope not. I'm almost ready to fire this thing up so tensions are on the rise around here! Thanks alot.
Steve Hi Steve,
Are you using the 5/8" hex plugs??

Hi Mike, Yup, rc12yc champions.

Originally posted by SMS:
Hi Mike, Yup, rc12yc champions. Bummer :(
I guess I can't be much help as I have never had one I couldn't get either an offset wrench or a socket on??
I made a socket for some applications years ago where I cut about 1/3 of the socket away so I could get it over the plug.
Hopefully someone has experience with your header.
It can get interesting with the raised exhaust port sometimes though.

The more I look at it, the more i think the header has to come off the head to access the plugs. Bummer is right! I dont see too many spark plug changes in the future. Now I need a set of 90° boot wires too. The spending just never stops.

hey, i had the same problem, i will post pics of my super homemade half-azz tool that i wipped up that works great! I couldn't believe that i actually got something to work, it is ridiculous how close it is. I am using accel shorty plugs with hooker 2" super comp headers. I won't be able to take a pic till tomorrow though.

There is a very expensive alternative, which you probably won't use but I'll say it anyway because I like to tell people useless info, lol.

The GearWrench line of tools that you can buy at sears has a funky line of sockets/ratchet. The ratchet handle has a hole that the socket fits into. The socket has a hole too. So you've got a socket and ratchet handle that have holes where a really long bolt, or in your case, a spark plug can fit through all the way. I don't know if it's possible because I can't see what you're working with, but if you could get the short 5/8" socket in there and onto the hex, you're home free.

Here's a link: http://www.gearwrench.com/gearratchet.html

I have 2455 Hookers and use a cut off socket.

Same problem. AFR 315 CNC and Hooker 2455 Comps. No way to tighten those three plugs. Slowpoke 70, THATS what I was looking for!
The ALternative is to cut the socket shorter. Not sure if the plug would bottom on the shortened socket though.

I can finger tighten all plugs, but that's all.

I've checked other headers, such as Hedman, and I think they have a much better fit.

John

it doesn't matter it the spark plug extends through the end of the spark plug socket because you can use a 13/16 wrench on the end on the end of the spark plug socket, hence the name spark plug socket.

You might not be able to get the spark plug socket around the spark plug though.

Trust me, even on my small block with stock heads I couldn't get anything behind the number 6 tube to get the spark plug out. I ended up modifying two different spark plug sockets. I made one look like an o2 sensor socket and shortend it. Still wouldn't get in there. Shortened the other one as much as possible while still having enough to grip the hex on the plug. This one would break plugs once in a while. And yes I could get the big wrench on this socket, but it was a bear to get in there.

My brother bought the GearRatchet for my dad and I tried it out, worked out perfect. No more problems. Just slipped on the socket and then the ratchet behind it. Worked.

I also used a shortened plug socket. There hasn't been one head/header combo this thing hasn't worked on yet!

Well I got all the plugs in finally. I had to take the header off. So now every time i change plugs the header has to be pulled off. I guess a $1000 set of Lemons or Stahl headers would cure the problem. :( If I would have known the hassel involved with these plugs, i would have bought the Brodix RR ovals which have stock port locations. I guess the headers are the problem though, not too happy right now.

I wouldn't say all heads with relocated exhaust ports are bad or require the headers to be removed to get to the spark plugs. My canfield heads exhaust ports are raised .600 and I can get to all my spark plugs with a spark plug wrench that has been modified by shortening it 1/2 of an inch. The spark plug extends through the end of the socket and I can't use my ratchet, but I can use a 13/16 wrench on the hex portion of the spark plug wrench.

Originally posted by kstanbach:
I wouldn't say all heads with relocated exhaust ports are bad or require the headers to be removed to get to the spark plugs. My canfield heads exhaust ports are raised .600 and I can get to all my spark plugs with a spark plug wrench that has been modified by shortening it 1/2 of an inch. The spark plug extends through the end of the socket and I can't use my ratchet, but I can use a 13/16 wrench on the hex portion of the spark plug wrench. What year chevelle, and what header are you running?

here is my crusty home made tool, i took a cheap spark plug tool from Kragen, and welded the first joint together so it wouldn't move, and then cut the socket short, and grinded the end of it down drastically. It now works!
http://img126.exs.cx/img126/5778/headertool7rg.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img126.exs.cx/img126/3523/headertool26pd.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img126.exs.cx/img126/3592/headertool31uz.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)