My motors which are basically 500HP clones were in need of new heads. They had stock 088's. Ended up going with aluminum. I got the heads installed and installed my stainless marine manifolds on the port motor. All good. Then I go to install the spark plugs. OMG, what a struggle. I probably would have never gotten the port engine, even side plugs in if the starboard odd side manifold was installed. I managed to get them all in. But man it was a struggle. I guess the aluminum heads have a different plug angle because it wasn't to bad to do plugs with the stock heads and stainless marine exhaust. I decided to install the plugs and wires on the starboard motor before I put the manifold on. That was a much better way to do it.

BTW, this is a flat bottom 35 fountain with good engine room access.

Is spark plug access a common problem with aluminum heads? I've heard of people complaining about changing plugs many times but always attributed it to tight engine rooms. Not the plug being so close to the manifold edge. The problem I had was once getting the plug socket on there was no way to connect anything to the socket. Not a extension, not a swivel, not an open or closed end of a wrench. A couple of the plugs I was literally pushing the swivel/extension combination and holding it like 1/2 engaged to tighten the plug. Is there an tips/tools to make it a better job?

Maybe something like this? Spark Plug Socket

John

When I put shorty headers on my camaro, for a couple of the plugs, I had to grind down a regular spark plug socket (shorten it) and use an open-end wrench on the socket's external flats. Looks similar to the lower one you posted in the link.

another old time trick is to use a short section of rubber hose over the insulator of the spark plug, to give you something to twist in by hand before getting a wrench on the hex.

^^^ Yep, except I use the more flexible vacuum hose that just slips over the elec connection. I've found the larger dia hose tends to hold it's bend from being on the spool and makes the plug wobble around more as your trying to start the threads.

A lot of aluminum heads have the exhaust ports raised for better flow. Could that be part of the problem ?

Like zz28zz said, when I was racing I had a set of custom "modified" sockets and wrenches for the plugs on my small block

I'm on board with using a hose to get the plug in. The problem was tightening it down.

I believe it is a raised port head. But I'm not sure that is the cause of my space problems? Either way. I'm not excited to change the plugs in the future. Im also not in a hurry to spend $89 on two sockets. But I guess in the grand scheme...not a big deal. Just suck it up.

John

Not sure if this will help in your situation, but on my small block Nova I can't get a socket on two of the plugs due to the big tube headers. I took an offset box wrench and cut it in half to make it's length more manageable. I had to shop around to find one that had a steep offset and It works like a charm.

Shah Mat...2002. Nice. Around since basically the beginning.

The offset wrench is a great Idea...cut in half may be even better. Not complaining, but my offset wrenches were at my "other shop". I'm not sure if the fact that I didn't have any around had anything to do with it or not. But it never crossed my mind that, that might be the solution. I will be sure to have one available the next time I attempt to do something with the plugs.

John