Just wondering whether anyone has recommendations on a good spark plug spanner for 1st and 2nd gens. I've tried several different types but none of them are very good. Even though they are round with no protrusions, they catch on the edges of the spark plug recess and it is very difficult to tell whether the spark plug is fully tightened or not. Often it isn't and the resistance you feel is just the socket catching on the edges.

I think part of the problem is that the spanner or socket gets trapped beween the plug and the circular bottom part of the recess. It is hard to describe exactly but if you've tried changing plugs, you'll know what I mean. I've tried t-bars with universal joints without success. The old tube style plug spanners won't fit down the recess at all, so I usually use a ratchet bar with extension and a 21mm or 13/16" spark plug socket. I've even filed a taper at the bottom of the socket to make it thinner but it still catches.

The engine has been running slightly rough lately and I think it was because one plug wasn't tightened properly. It is now. I cleaned and tightened the plugs carefully today and it is running much smoother.

personally ive never had such a problem with a standard 30 year old sidchrome 1/2 inch drive set with a really long extension. i should add its got no rubber grommet in it to hold the plug so its basically a drop and hope exercise lol. you could try one from those cheep shallower, smaller drive sets. the one between 1/4 and 1/2 inch drive. or you could try just getting the plug started strait and then pulling the socket back to its just on the flats of the plug.

the thing i have had big problems with was getting my compression gauge in there lol. it was a real bugger lol

regards jay

or you could try just getting the plug started strait and then pulling the socket back to its just on the flats of the plug.


Yes, that's how I managed it this time but it was still difficult. The socket goes quite a way past the flats of the plug and that is definitely part of the problem. I have another identical spare socket, so I might try cutting it shorter so that it can't go past the flats of the plug.

I found the best spark plug removal tool
for me has been a 3/8 drive size
without the rubber insert inside