3.8 rear spark plug issue

[craig1980]

Hello everyone this is my first time on the forum so excuse me if this question is posted somewhere else. I changed the front three plugs on my 2002 3.8 and now need to do the back three. I have a haynes manual, but still have some questions. If i strap the engine how far can it be pulled foward without bending or breaking anything? if the strap secures to the frame under the car, what about the strap damaging the bumper? Maybe there is a link, or some pics of this job somone can post, or even give me a heads up on what I should do.....Thanks in advance, Craig

[redlinepontiac]

you shouldnt even have to strap it foward, i can do them without that

[01gpgt01]

Agreed, I dont even have to move the engine forward

[craig1980]

If you dont rotate it do you just do it by feel? It seems there are heater hoses, as well as the egr valve thats in the way and I cant get my hand in there

[01gpgt01]

Yep just feel for them. I use like a 3 inch extension on the socket. I run Autolight 103's so i replace mine often. I can have them all out and in in around 10 min

[redlinepontiac]

once you change a set you just get a feel for them kinda thing, first times a ***** then its easy

[craig1980]

Man....ten minutes! do you live in NY?..lol

[RamonGTX]

The first time I did it I took the dog bones off and put the car in neautral then you can have a friend push the engine forward to help...plug 6 was a ***** having that sensor in the way

[L36pro]

you can rock the motor forward. you need to unhook the dogbone motor mounts to get it to move far enough for some room. otherwise, be prepared to get cut and burned.

[seanparker3]

Its not hard to do with out moving the motor... just feel for them and use a 3 inch extension except for the one with the sensor in the way. I take the extension off for that.

[L36pro]

and use a socket with a u joint

[SlowNA06]

Perhaps this will help: http://www.grandprixforums.net/any-d...tml#post518463

[2000SILVERSE3800]

I dont rock my engine forward I just removed the engine lift brackets got all the room i need in there now for when I change my plugs. Made all the differnce i nthe world to remove those brackets

[Slick2500]

Wait you had to have a friend help you rotate the engine forward? I can do it with one hand, but then I could see how you would need someone to hold it.

[TheManiac]

I just helped a friend with changing plugs on an L36 in a Bonneville (and the spacing on back that looks tighter then my Monte), no need to move the engine. Can do it all by feel and limited visibility.

[neel2008]

dog bones off/loose, strap from back of motor to core support, pull forward until you feel resistance like it doesnt want to go anything further. Thats what I do, everyone is built a little different so you guys need to take that into account as well...

[craig1980]

I dont rock my engine forward I just removed the engine lift brackets got all the room i need in there now for when I change my plugs. Made all the differnce i nthe world to remove those brackets

Were are the engine lift brackets??

[L36pro]

bolted to the exhaust manifolds on either side.

[mechguy]

bolted to the exhaust manifolds on either side.

I think bolted to the cylinder heads.

[L36pro]

the header bolts hold them in.