• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

Changing plugs with smog stuff still in...

  • Thread starter Thread starter The Green GT
  • Start date Start date Jul 3, 2007

The Green GT

No 13 year olds are safe around me.
10 Year Member
Jan 8, 2006
1,269
19
99
Louisiana
Jul 3, 2007
#1
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #1
How many extensions. u-joints, midgets and beers do I need?

I know its a PITA.

Would it hurt anything If I took all the hoses for the smog stuff on the passenger side by the plugs out and left it out?
 

fastgtfairlane

New Member
Apr 7, 2006
266
0
0
Jul 3, 2007
#2
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #2
once you take the air intake off, the right side is very easy to get to. i use a swivel 5/8 sparkplug socket and a 6 or 8 inch extension. the left side isnt bad. the swivel socket comes in handy on that side to. you will need the 3 or 4 inch extension on that one. its not hard at all in my opinion. it takes about 30 to 45 min to do.
 

The Green GT

No 13 year olds are safe around me.
10 Year Member
Jan 8, 2006
1,269
19
99
Louisiana
Jul 3, 2007
#3
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #3
I just remember checking them when I got the car and actually gave up on getting two of them on the pass side out. Maybe Ill have better luck this time. lol
 

fastgtfairlane

New Member
Apr 7, 2006
266
0
0
Jul 3, 2007
#4
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #4
if you took the hose off of the passenger side where it goes to the head it will make a loud noise kinda like a really loud exhaust leak. my neighbor told me a neat trick to delete the whole smog on our cars. you can take the bolts out that hold that metal line at the back of the heads and cut the part that bolts up to the head and cut it off the line, turn it where the hole is facing away from the head and bolt it back up.
 

fastgtfairlane

New Member
Apr 7, 2006
266
0
0
Jul 3, 2007
#5
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #5
a wise investment is that swivel socket. it makes changing sparkplugs a hell of a lot easier
 

The Green GT

No 13 year olds are safe around me.
10 Year Member
Jan 8, 2006
1,269
19
99
Louisiana
Jul 3, 2007
#6
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #6
I think I tried to do it last time with no extensions or swivel sockets.
 

fastgtfairlane

New Member
Apr 7, 2006
266
0
0
Jul 3, 2007
#7
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #7
lol, i can imagine it being a pita then.
 

1TallMF

New Member
Apr 17, 2006
955
1
0
Montreal
Jul 3, 2007
#8
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #8
Actually last time I was able to do all of them just using the sp socket with the 3/4" hex on the end of it and use a 3/4" wrench to loosen them (they should spin by hand after ~1/2 turn with the wrench) and the same to tighten. I found this method was better because I am sure that each plug is tight, and its not just the swivels binding or making them seem tighter than they actuallay are. But yeah, the smog tubes can be taken-out and put back in in a matter of minutes.
 

badstang123

New Member
Jan 17, 2006
397
0
0
Santa Clarita, CA
Jul 3, 2007
#9
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #9
All I used when I did it yesterday was a deep socket. It was really easy. It made me wonder why last time I used a ton of extensions and swivels I don't know what I was thinking. I didn't even need to remove the intake or any of the smog stuff.
- Justin
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Jul 3, 2007
#10
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #10
I also do it with all the crap in place. On the passenger side plug closest the firewall, I used to have a zillion extensions and swivels (just so I could spin my wrench without hitting something). Now I just use a plug socket and put an open end wrench on the socket itself (some sockets have hex cuts in them to facilitate this).
Otherwise, a quality pneumatic 3/8" swivel and couple of extensions are all I use. A good ratchet that isnt sloppy is nice (I have one for plugs only - it requires very little movement to click. My normal wrenches are worn and need like 90* to click. ).
 

SN95StangMan

New Member
Jul 5, 2003
1,292
0
0
Lynwood, CA
Jul 3, 2007
#11
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #11
1TallMF said:
Actually last time I was able to do all of them just using the sp socket with the 3/4" hex on the end of it and use a 3/4" wrench to loosen them (they should spin by hand after ~1/2 turn with the wrench) and the same to tighten. I found this method was better because I am sure that each plug is tight, and its not just the swivels binding or making them seem tighter than they actuallay are. But yeah, the smog tubes can be taken-out and put back in in a matter of minutes.
Click to expand...
+1

That's all I use. I dont ever take any of the other crap off. Use my 3/4 ratcheting wrench. Only takes a few minutes.
 

milewsky80

Member
Nov 25, 2004
69
0
6
Weirton, WV
Jul 3, 2007
#12
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #12
Just did mine today, I don't have the smog system so it only took 10 mins, until I got to the #8 plug. That damn brake booster couldn't be any more in the way
 

go-stang5.0

New Member
Jan 27, 2003
2,244
0
0
Glenview,Il
Jul 3, 2007
#13
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #13
If you have stock heads it not bad. My AFR's are angle plugged heads and along with my equal length shorties...it gets petty messy.
 
S

steede302

Member
Mar 5, 2003
75
0
7
jacksonville fl
Jul 3, 2007
#14
  • Jul 3, 2007
  • #14
Are you running cats anddo you have emissions testing were you live? If not, I just cut of the hose at the air pump and removed all the smog stuff. The thermactor lines that run to the back of each head, I just took a short bolt with a washer on it and jb welded it over the holes, or you can cut the line off on the assenger side head and plug it. After that 10 minute plug changes and cleans up the engine bay. Now I just need to buy a smog delete pulley or a short belt and remove the pump. It doesnt hurt to leave it on unconnected( mine has been that way for about 3 months).

just my 2cents
 

SN95StangMan

New Member
Jul 5, 2003
1,292
0
0
Lynwood, CA
Jul 4, 2007
#15
  • Jul 4, 2007
  • #15
milewsky80 said:
Just did mine today, I don't have the smog system so it only took 10 mins, until I got to the #8 plug. That damn brake booster couldn't be any more in the way
Click to expand...
I find the #8 plug to be pretty dang easy. Its the #4 thats hardest for me. Taking it out is ok, just getting it back in seems to always be a PITA
 
R

redmustang95

New Member
May 17, 2007
6
0
0
Jul 4, 2007
#16
  • Jul 4, 2007
  • #16
to replace mine, i remove CAI and the rubber hoses of the smog stuff, takes about 20 or so. no special u-joints or any of that stuff, just a rachet, socket and one extension.
 
S

sage2k

Member
May 23, 2005
645
0
16
Baton Rouge, LA
Jul 4, 2007
#17
  • Jul 4, 2007
  • #17
you're already running an offroad H pipe, might as well delete your smog crap
i think an ASP delete pully is only 60$, its what i got and works well
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

96 GT 4.6 w/ dirty spark plug well
  • Mustang Momma
  • Apr 7, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
123
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 9, 2026
LILCBRA
Who the hell puts the wrong spark plugs in a 3.8L?
  • snowstang
  • Mar 25, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
426
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 3, 2026
LILCBRA
J
Emission problems
  • jls.zmmr
  • Feb 5, 2026
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
2
Views
243
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Feb 7, 2026
AeroCoupe
9
Engine Donor '00 Mountaineer meet '91 Fox
  • 91firecracker
  • May 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
41
Views
849
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 28, 2026
91firecracker
9
Electrical Need help identifying what these electrical items are (93 LX 5.0)
  • dan50
  • Apr 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
180
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 12, 2026
dan50
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?