great idea to change 351w plugs

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by bartikus, Feb 10, 2004.

  1. bartikus

    bartikus Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2002
    Messages:
    762
    Likes Received:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    100
    Location:
    salt lake city, ut
    Vehicle:
    1973 comet, 1977 4 door mav(dead), 1964 falcon 4 door wagon, 1936 studebaker dictator
    my dad gave me an idea that if i was to put in a 351w and had trouble with changing the plugs and didn't want to modify the shock towers that i should cut some holes in the inside of the fender wall just big enough to get a tool in and the make some thing like a plug to fit in the hole to keep every thing dry he gave me this idea because he had 2 1955 chrysler new yorkers (i wish he still had them because i would have ended up with them and that would have been fun to fix) and it took him 2-3 hours to change the plugs but then he decided to take off the fender and it only took him an hour and a half i don't know if any of you would be interested in this but i think that it is a good idea
     
    bartikus, Feb 10, 2004
    #1
  2. Earl Branham

    Earl Branham Certified Old Fart

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    6,367
    Likes Received:
    201
    Trophy Points:
    218
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Lugoff, SC
    Vehicle:
    '69.5 Maverick 302, T-5, Grabber Green
    Won't help. The inner fender and shock towers do not come off with the fender. You will still have the same amount of room, or lack thereof, to change the plugs.

    Earl
     
    Earl Branham, Feb 10, 2004
    #2
  3. bartikus

    bartikus Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2002
    Messages:
    762
    Likes Received:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    100
    Location:
    salt lake city, ut
    Vehicle:
    1973 comet, 1977 4 door mav(dead), 1964 falcon 4 door wagon, 1936 studebaker dictator
    i wasn't saying take off the fender i was saying cut holes in it so that you could get a tool in there then put some kind of plug in the hole
     
    bartikus, Feb 10, 2004
    #3
  4. Earl Branham

    Earl Branham Certified Old Fart

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    6,367
    Likes Received:
    201
    Trophy Points:
    218
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Lugoff, SC
    Vehicle:
    '69.5 Maverick 302, T-5, Grabber Green
    barticus;sorry for the miscue; that will work, but will make a mess and weaken the shock towers. I had to take the motor mount bolt loose and lift the engine on the one side to install the headers in my car, and it opened up the plugs a lot. Try that on both sides before you cut or drill. The bolts are easy to get to and makes the job easier, much easier. Give it a try!

    Earl
     
    Earl Branham, Feb 10, 2004
    #4
  5. bartikus

    bartikus Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2002
    Messages:
    762
    Likes Received:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    100
    Location:
    salt lake city, ut
    Vehicle:
    1973 comet, 1977 4 door mav(dead), 1964 falcon 4 door wagon, 1936 studebaker dictator
    i would only do it if i was really having a hard time changing the plugs
     
    bartikus, Feb 11, 2004
    #5
  6. Ryan

    Ryan Ford Addict

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    3,185
    Likes Received:
    104
    Trophy Points:
    182
    Location:
    Phoenix Az.
    Vehicle:
    73 Maverick, 70 F-100, 68 F-100, 02 Crown Vicoria
    the coil springs would still be in the way. I don't think it would work.
     
    Ryan, Feb 11, 2004
    #6
  7. CACollo

    CACollo Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    417
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Abq. NM
    Vehicle:
    1969.5 Maverick
    I think the best idea is to put some long lasting plugs in there. Iridium, even if you don't need it, would guarantee you'd have to rebuild the motor before you replaced them. Otherwise, some triple platinums ought to last you a good 100K. Then if you have to change 'em, do as mentioned above...unbolt the motor mount and have at it!
     
    CACollo, Feb 12, 2004
    #7
  8. bossmav

    bossmav Drag racing nut

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2002
    Messages:
    792
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    90
    Location:
    Harrisonburg, Va
    Vehicle:
    74 Grabber now Pearl white
    The shock tower mod is not hard to do, and if you are going to put a 351W in your car you will find the extra room VERY nice.

    The shock tower mod helps in a lot of ways from spark plug changes to something as simple as removing your valve covers.

    Some people don't like to cut the shock towers and to each his/her own but once you see how nice it is to work on you start to understand why it's done.

    Just my .02

    Bossmav
     
    bossmav, Feb 12, 2004
    #8
  9. 357 Grabber

    357 Grabber Maverick DieHard

    Joined:
    May 24, 2002
    Messages:
    137
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2 71 grabbers,72 Maverick , son has a 73 maverick
    I dont have much problem changing my plugs..I just use the socket on the tight ones and a wrench that fits the socket..I have headers and a c-6..I WANT A LENCO !!..I also ALWAYS index all of my plugs...makes em last longer an the engine is more effecient
     
    357 Grabber, Feb 12, 2004
    #9

Share This Page