Got an 87 GT - stock.

Got the front plugs replaced - no issues.

The back ones are most likely rusted... as I am unable to get my socket onto them.

I have vacuumed most of the crud up around them... and am using a mirror to get a better look at what I am up against.

Time to start scrapping around them... soaking in PB blaster?

Of course... the plugs are hard enough to get to in good conditions... but what ideas do you guys/gals have on a course of action?

Raise the car and go in from underneath..... or time to see the mechanic?

I'm surprised the front ones are the ones that came off. They are usually the worst.

Soak, soak, soak, with PBBlaster, at least a week. Try a rotary wire brush on a dremel or drill to clean them out.

The points on the socket sides on the plug should still be ok.

Hope this helps

Arn

I take it you mean front/back from a behind the engine point of view ?
soaking with PB or WD40 is ok, also vacuuming is good as it prevents crud falling into the cilinder during removal..
It is doable from the top but yes you need patience and a bit fiddling to get there...some like to remove the decklid to get a little better acces
A mechanic would get through the same trouble, but would get paid to do it...good luck!

Welcome to the forum.

Take a pick and dig out the plug wells, compressed air works well once you have the crud broken loose. Some members here will remove the deck lid for extra room. I have removed a dogbone bolt, used a ratchet strap from the trunk latch to an engine eye hook for an extra 2-inches or so. I did that on my old 87 that never had the plugs changed, of course I did the "drown with PB blaster" thing too for a day prior to removal. Now since I use anti-sieze on my plugs, it's not a chore anymore. Make sure that your 6-point socket fully seats on to the plug. Good luck.

Welcome to the madness.

------------------
jetman
Silver 86 SE 2M6 4-speed, with "check wallet light"
Now fortified with 8 essential slices of bacon goodness

i assume you are talking bout the (3) plugs closest to the firewall....best thing to do if you are having problems with those plugs is to remove the decklid to gain a little bit more room to access them...then vacuum/blow air to clean out...maybe do some srapping around them and cleaning....soak w/ pb blaster and let sit for 24 hours..maybe even warm engine slightly before spraying them...this will help the pb blaster soak in....then try getting a socket on em and wrenching them out

Also, when removing the decklid, be sure to remove it from where it bolts to the bracket....not from where the bracket bolts to the firewall

[This message has been edited by labbe001 (edited 09-21-2009).]

I assume that you are talking about the plugs against the firewall.
You can soak them in penetrating oil for a couple of days and that should help.
If it is just too hard to get them out then take a little time and cut an access panel behind the passenger seat.
Take out the passenger seat.
then the center glove box
the rear trim panels on both sides where the seat belts go through
the rear carpet.
now you can see the firewall
be super careful not to cut through wiring harnesses or pipes they are right there. Peel back the firewall insulation in the engine compartment to make sure you aren't missing anything. Use a tape measure. Take your time.
Just to the left (facing the back of the car) of the ECM make a cut with a sabre saw about 10" x 10" on 3 sides then peel it back.
AGAIN BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO CUT SOMETHING YOU SHOULDN'T.
You now have access to the plugs, exhaust manifold and A/C compressor.
When done push the panel back, cut a piece of scrap sheet aluminum or steel and screw it over the space to hold everything intactand cover the seam.
This access panel will come in handy in the future,

like others have said if they are the ones by the back window here is something that may help you.
it wil take 2 jacks to do it. place a jack under the back of the cradle and one under the back of the body. unbolt the 2 back cradle bolts and jack up the body this will pivot the motor to the back of the car giving you about 6" more room to get in there and deal with them.
D.

I think, he means the front ones which doesn't come out easily. Cause he told to use a mirror for a better look. Front ones are those aer the cab, back ones are the back in the car. Sometimes i mix it too, cause the back ones are naer to me, when i'm doing the service. ;-)

Mie was rusted to and i couldn't take a spar-plug socket because of rusty partikels in the spark hole. Use compressed air and after some WD40 oder whatever and try to put the socket on them. if not, loose the dogbone, put tranny to neutral an you can pull the engine a little to the back. but pay attention not to damage some engine bushings. Maybee you have some more workspace. If not, try to pull the plenum and maybee the middle intake awake - gives you more workspace!

I decided on my car to pull off the cylinder-heads an redo them. so i could pull the rusted plugs und re-seal the upper part of the engine for the next 100T miles (headgasket an so on).
Easier way is to let engine down on the cradle and try to pull the plug this way easier.

Sorry about the vague plug positions..... yes.... indeed I mean the plugs next to the firewall.

Lots of great ideas... I will start soaking tonight.

About 2 years ago I did what Groble said to 2 of my 6 cyl cars.not only makes it easy to get to the plugs, comes in handy when you get to the EVENTUAL Exaust Gasket Problem !

Have you taken the decklid off? It gives you a LOT more room to access the plugs. It's very easy to remove and reinstall - just have a friend help hold it while you take the bolts out. Going from underneath is actually harder because you have to reach over and around the exhaust manifold.
Then you can get in there with a pick of some kind to scrap the crud out from around the plug. Leaves and crap fall in there and collect around the plug so you can't get the socket on the plug. If you don't get all of that cleaned out, you're more likely to break a plug taking them out.

Once everything's cleaned out PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench will help you break the loose without breaking them off.

[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 09-23-2009).]