Series I spark plugs - Anyone know how to do it?

Ok i bought some 605's they only cost me a buck a piece but my question to you guys is how do you get to the back ones? i mean it looks like getting under would be the best root but then agin i cant jack the car that far up.

Some have used ramps to get the car up more easily.

Underneath is the best way to go. I suppose it may be possible to get at them from the wheel well, if you remove the plastic skirt. Not sure on that, however.

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/Discussion-c4/Riviera-Talk-f21/success-t666.htm

Dude, don't pull the wheel well skirt. You're making it WAY to hard. Here's a couple pointers in this link.

Keep in mind there are differences between the '95 and '96-up models. I think it's easier to do from the top on newer Rivs.

On my car it sure seemed impossible to change them from above. IIRC, there were A/C and/or heater hoses in the way. I'll have to take a look again (and maybe take some pics).

Everyone seems to have a different opinion on this. When I changed mine, I removed the cover and unbolted the brace that holds the two heater hoses together (follow the HH from the water pump back and there is a brace that has one bolt in it). By removing the bolt I could have enough play to get my hands down the back side when I laid over the top of the motor.
I only weigh 165 so if your hands a big that may not be a good option for you.

Others say from the bottom. I dunno, that just seemed like a farther distance to me, so I never tried it that way.
Hope that helps and good luck.

I used ramps when I changed them on my '95, just pull it up, get a long extension and go to it!

thanks guys its good to know some do it from the top i think im going to try it from that way tommrow

how do i change the rear spark plugs in this pile, i already changed my plugs and wires in the front, but how do i reach the rear plugs and wires.

what year is ur car??

I'm guessing '95.

95 series 1, im almost positive thats in my SIG

Well, you have no visible sig, so you might want to check your profile.

Anyway... I've found the easiest way for me to change the rear plugs is to lean across the passenger fender and reach behind the engine with my left arm. It's not all that difficult if you take your time, and your arms aren't too short, or too long.

Corey has a sig, but it wasn't turned on. I've fixed this for you, Corey. Should be good from now on. In the future, if you can't see your sig in posts, it isn't there!

Apparently '95 plugs are more difficult than '96-up? Series I people, is this correct?

oooo my bad,yea 95 is a real PITA

I find it easier to go up on ramps and do it from underneath.

doing it from the underbody can be just as tricky as doing from the top

yea i tired that today i was afraid the riv was going to crush me

deekster_caddy wrote:

I find it easier to go up on ramps and do it from underneath.

That is how I did it in mine.

changing them from underneath the car is the only way to go. There's plenty of room between the ex down pipe and the bottom edge of the firewall. Should take only about 15 minutes

Randall, is the '95 that much harder to do than the '99 from up top?

blackbart95 wrote:

changing them from underneath the car is the only way to go. There's plenty of room between the ex down pipe and the bottom edge of the firewall. Should take only about 15 minutes

It doesn't take me that long to do the rear plugs from up top. However, I think it is an easier task because I have the STB up there to support myself with my right arm/hand while my left does the work.

I'm also curious, does the 95 have LESS room to work with from the top?

I reach in under the stb, and from the far left side for the most part, reaching across the engine from the left side to get at all 3 plugs.

Doing it from underneath might work fine too, as long as you can get your car high enough to get good access, and SUPPORT THE CAR PROPERLY. I perfer to work from up top since I can reach all plugs fairly easily.

On my basically stock '95 SC you can barely feel the tops of the plug wires from the top with the tips of your fingers. I can't imagine even being able to get a socket on them from the top. Looking at a previous post, it looks as though there is a big difference between the '95s and later models.
Before I changed mine, I called a local mechanic and he said he rotates the engine forward by loosening the engine mounts and that it would be a 2 hour job
I changed the rear plugs in about 15 minutes, including the time it took to jack and support the car w/quality jack stands and to gap the new plugs. Tools required: 5/8 plug socket, short and medium length extensions, and a 3/8 drive ratchet (the flex head kind with a long handle is a big plus). I found the best method was to reach over the top of the ex down pipe. There's plenty of room to work once you get above it, but you can't see much, so you must be able to work by feel alone