So the question is do they make a special spark plug remover?

[lawnboy]

I have a Merc 350 it’s around a 1997 and I can’t get my socket to fit over the spark plug. It’s like the socket is too long to fit up in there. So the question is do they make a special spark plug remover? :confused:

[sausageman]

Lawnboy,
Witn my 5.0 I have to use a sparkplug socket that is set up for a wrench to fit on the top. I cannot get the socket drive to fit past the exhaust manifold. Just a thought.

[MadCatter]

I am not clear on your problem, if it is the socket is too long, or it is too thick or you can't get a ratchet on it ... I use an assortment of extensions and a wobble bar on mine ... The best advice I can give is not to loose your cool and create more problems .. there is always a way to get them out... I know that I had to fight mine to get plugs in it this year.. Just remember to be careful when putting them back in .. sometimes when they are hard to get out they are a real pain to get back in.. I use a piece of vacuum line over the tip of the plug this allows a long reach and lines it up good .. I always put them in by hand as far as I can, if they don't go in by hand they might be cross threaded ... I wouldn't recommend starting them in with a ratchet.

If your having trouble getting clearence to get the ratchet on .. try extending it out so you can, or use a knuckle joint, or a wobble bar to get an angle

Dave

[Banditto]

Yep removing can be a pain. Some spark plugs actually DO have special socket sizes but they are rare, and I am 99% sure you don't have one. Murrays has some of the special sockets in their tool display for sale.

I think what your problem is the hole in the head is pretty tight to the spark plug, so you can't put your socket on the plug, as the head interfers? I have seen this a couple times and have had to take the socket and have a machine shop turn them down a bit--so they remove the chrome and about 50% of the socket wall metal. It ends up tapering it down enough to fit into the hole.

[plugger]

you should have a spark plug socket not a plain deep socket. Try your socket on the new plug before installed to make sure you have the right socket.

[lawnboy]

sausageman has the problem that I have. I stopped in at a shop and they side that they use a thin wall socket from snap-on. And yes I'm using a socket for plugs; it's just that the exhaust manifold is hanging just a little too low. One thing that I found with a boat is that either it costs $10 or $100, and most things are not set up for fat people.

[sausageman]

So true lawnboy,,,$10.00.....$100.00.....$1,000.00....$10, 000. I guess this keeps the math simple.

[Mad Jack]

Lawnboy
I went to Auto Zone I think and picked up a socket that has a T-Handle to grab onto, And the socket part has a piviot point on it also.
This works to get in behind my heat exchanger on my 24' crestliner sabre

Hope this helps.

[lawnboy]

Mad Jack you got it...man that tool was the tool of all tools. THANKS

[Mad Jack]

Glad it worked for you.

[BTC]

I went to change my plugs in my 1992 Mercruiser 5.0LX today and ran into the same problem.
The plugs for the #1 and the #8 cylinder had just enough interference from the manifolds that the socket wouldn't fit on them.
Luckly I had read this thread earlier in the week, so I ended up running up to Murray's auto parts and picking up that t-handle spark plug wrench and voila.....that thing is worth it's weight in gold!
Thanks guy's!

Brian.....

[Mad Jack]

Glad i could help some of you out.

I keep mine right on the boat in case i need it.

[BigDaddy]

But the real question is... Why do they make things so hard for such a simple project? Never could understand that.....:mad: