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Post by 500hp406 on Oct 11, 2009 18:45:29 GMT -7
I really needed to change my plugs, but with the tools I have it was almost impossible do to the tight nature of the headers.They sell a socket on Jegs for$30. Jim and I decided to make our own. I purchased a 1/2 inch drive socket so the electrode would pass through the end of the socket. The socket has a hex end on it, so I also purchased a ratchet wrench. Wrench and socket $12. We then made our way to Harbour Freight to purchase some cut off wheels. PUrchased 3 as we did not know how hard the socket might be. Not that hard as it took just a minute to cut off about 80% of the socket. Cleaned it up and then proceed to pull all 8 plugs in less than 30 minutes. Of course Jim was helping. A couple of the plugs were so fouled that you couled not even see the electrodes, no wonder Ross was able to beat me. I need to make a quick dyno run to see how many ponies I have right now, or, hmmmm.
There is another story in trying to find a compression tester that we could get in behind the headers, and as soon as I find one I will coment on that.
After putting new plugs in the engine I went out to my secret test track and was able to easily run the car up to 97 miles in second at 6,000 rpms. Ross, I want you! ;D
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Post by Crossfire84 on Oct 11, 2009 19:48:06 GMT -7
Just to paraphrase a bit, his headers, as many, don't even allow a standard deep well socket to slide over the end of some of the plugs, and the plugs are already the "shorties". The hex on the plug can't be reached with an open end or box end wrench, either. With a standard spark plug socket, shortened by 1 1/4" plus, the socket will now clear the headers and slide onto the plug. We were both surprised at how easy that laser etched Craftsman socket was to cut. The hex of the spark plug socket, which is now somewhere near the middle of the length of the plug, is easily reached with an open end wrench, and in most cases even a ratcheting box end wrench. NEAT! A few plugs were still a bit of a challenge, but the homemade tool probably cut the duration of the job by 50% to 75%. I think having a couple of different length sockets could be an advantage, too. I would also like to cut a portion out of the side of a socket so it could be slid sideways over the plug. Maybe we will start making these.
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Post by highpockets on Oct 11, 2009 21:58:50 GMT -7
I have several sockets,exactly like you are discussing,purchased off those evil high price tool trucks that stop by every so often.However,paying $25 for a socket that saves hours of billable time(sound like a lawyer now) makes alot of sense to me,especially if there is a chance I will be doing another car setup the same way !
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Post by ebm86vette on Oct 14, 2009 19:54:03 GMT -7
Good job on that. I can get a box end wrench on the ones that I need to, and since I use anti seize every time they screw out by hand the rest of the way. I'm glad your car is running better. If you want to go tune it in a little and then take it to a dyno, I'd be up for that. I'd like to throw mine on again, too, just to see what the difference is. It would be sweet if we could get a good race for once, instead of my girlfriend wondering why you aren't racing because you're so far behind.
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Post by 500hp406 on Oct 15, 2009 7:36:56 GMT -7
Good job on that. I can get a box end wrench on the ones that I need to, and since I use anti seize every time they screw out by hand the rest of the way. I'm glad your car is running better. If you want to go tune it in a little and then take it to a dyno, I'd be up for that. I'd like to throw mine on again, too, just to see what the difference is. It would be sweet if we could get a good race for once, instead of my girlfriend wondering why you aren't racing because you're so far behind. If you would have looked at my plugs you would have seen I was only running on 6 cylinders. It didn't run to bad for a 6 popper. ;D
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Post by Crossfire84 on Oct 15, 2009 8:52:03 GMT -7
I t would be sweet if we could get a good race for once, instead of my girlfriend wondering why you aren't racing because you're so far behind. If you would have looked at my plugs you would have seen I was only running on 6 cylinders. It didn't run to bad for a 6 popper. ;DEBM and all close competitors, beware! With that new wrench, 500hp406 doesn't have to wait years, driving with oil fouled (darn Edelbrock heads) plugs. Now he can change plugs on the fly. As long as Tas ASSized electrical connections don't fail during a race, he has a world beater.
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Post by ebm86vette on Oct 16, 2009 4:45:47 GMT -7
Wayne's quarter mile Standard Operating Procedure:
1 Windows up: check 2 radio down: check 3 helmet on: check 4 pull into staging lane 5 Use Quickwrench to change plugs 6 perform burnout 7 stage 8 launch 9 spin tires 10 lose race 11 pull into pits 12 make excuses ;D
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Post by 500hp406 on Oct 16, 2009 7:23:32 GMT -7
Wayne's quarter mile Standard Operating Procedure: 1 Windows up: check [------- True2 radio down: check -------- Maybe3 helmet on: check ---------- Only if they tell me to put it on4 pull into staging lane ----- of course5 Use Quickwrench to change plugs -----True6 perform burnout ------- You betcha, but slicks are on backwards7 stage ----- yuh8 launch ---- Soft launch because I have too much power9 spin tires --if course10 lose race ---That was before plug change, now win!!!!11 pull into pits ----yes12 make excuses ----of why I beat you so bad ;D See above in red
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Post by Crossfire84 on Oct 16, 2009 8:12:12 GMT -7
Wayne's quarter mile Standard Operating Procedure:
1 Windows up: check [------- True 2 radio down: check -------- Maybe 3 helmet on: check ---------- Only if they tell me to put it on 4 pull into staging lane ----- of course 5 Use Quickwrench to change plugs -----True 6 perform burnout -------You betcha, but slicks are on backwards 7 stage ----- yuh 8 launch ---- Soft launch because I have too much power 9 spin tires --if course 10 lose race ---That was before plug change, now win!!!! 11 pull into pits ----yes 12 make excuses----of why I beat you so bad ;D See above in red 2. And miss the announcer saying his name? 3. With an 11 second car? (fresh plugs) Good luck. First run = last run. 6. Backward slicks - Excuse #1. 8. Soft launch - Excuse #2. 9. Need practice driving, but good for excuse #3. 10. 12. Ground work laid in #6, 8, and 9. ;D
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