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Doing a tune up on a 2.9


Joined
Dec 26, 2009
Messages
24
Age
40
City
Pittsburgh, PA
Title says it all....

Got my project truck back up and running, but i still need to complete the tune up on it. So far i have 4 of the 6 plugs changed, but i now have a problem; because this truck has A/C, i can't get to the back plug on the passenger side of the engine (left side if you're looking at it from the front of the truck) because there's a huge box in the way. I'm guessing it's part of the A/C system, but what i couldn't tell you.

I also have a new cap and rotor to put on it, but i can't get at the old one without taking the whole intake manifold off. :icon_confused:

Are there any secrets to doing a tune up on one of these without tearing half the engine apart?

Thanks for the help, and any insight is appreciated of course :icon_cheers:
 
Title says it all....

Got my project truck back up and running, but i still need to complete the tune up on it. So far i have 4 of the 6 plugs changed, but i now have a problem; because this truck has A/C, i can't get to the back plug on the passenger side of the engine (left side if you're looking at it from the front of the truck) because there's a huge box in the way. I'm guessing it's part of the A/C system, but what i couldn't tell you.

I also have a new cap and rotor to put on it, but i can't get at the old one without taking the whole intake manifold off. :icon_confused:

Are there any secrets to doing a tune up on one of these without tearing half the engine apart?

Thanks for the help, and any insight is appreciated of course :icon_cheers:

you should be able to get all the plugs....but it is snug to get to those mentioned. can't remember exactly what I used but my spark plug socket has bolt head flats on the drive end...I might have used it with a combination wrench to break it loose.

Same goes for the distributor cap...it should come out without to much issue....if it is real crowded back there you might have transmission mount issues, or motor mounts...if you have A/C you can move the line around some to help get clearance
 
you should be able to get all the plugs....but it is snug to get to those mentioned. can't remember exactly what I used but my spark plug socket has bolt head flats on the drive end...I might have used it with a combination wrench to break it loose.

Same goes for the distributor cap...it should come out without to much issue....if it is real crowded back there you might have transmission mount issues, or motor mounts...if you have A/C you can move the line around some to help get clearance

A snug fit for someone with small hands i'm guessing....there's no way my mitts are gonna fit in there :haha:

Though i guess you got a point; my plug socket does have the same flat edges on it.

Might also help with breaking stubborn plugs loose i suppose (the center one of the left side is either over-tightened or seized in the head). Any ideas for getting that one out? Other than using a blowtorch :icon_welder: :icon_rofl:
 
It's tight in there, but not that tight. I've seen lots worse, and no reason that you can't get to all that, unless you have enormous hands, or extremely limited range of motion.

I'm 6'2", 250, and wear an extra-large glove, so you'd have to be enormous..

A lot of mechanical work is done by feel, but I'm not sure why you'd be unable to get to what you're talking about..

I use a long handled ratchet with a swivel head for most plug jobs.

The distributor cap comes off just fine with a 1/4" drive.

Basic tools that should be in every box.
 
It's tight in there, but not that tight. I've seen lots worse, and no reason that you can't get to all that, unless you have enormous hands, or extremely limited range of motion.

I'm 6'2", 250, and wear an extra-large glove, so you'd have to be enormous..

A lot of mechanical work is done by feel, but I'm not sure why you'd be unable to get to what you're talking about..

I use a long handled ratchet with a swivel head for most plug jobs.

The distributor cap comes off just fine with a 1/4" drive.

Basic tools that should be in every box.

Agreed, and by and large i have them all there (might be a swivel head i'm missing, and a long handle ratchet with the right drive).

And i was more thinking along the lines of 'not tearing my knuckles, fingers and hands to pieces' type of space: i can get in there fine, but i'm fairly certain my hands will look like they went through a meat grinder when i'm done :icon_rofl:. Trying to avoid needing too much :beer: :beer: :beer: during the job and after it :icon_thumby:

Limited range of motion? Maybe a bit. Limited common sense, well i'm not short on that sadly :D
 
changed mine with a 3/8 ratchet spark plug socket and a few skinned knuckles tight fit but just work through the pain
 
I did mine on my 2.9L with no out of the ordinary tools. I did it this past summer and it wasn't even memorable enough to remember having any issues. Just took a little finesse to get the cap on and off. Plugs: extensions, u joint and long handled flex head ratchet is probably what I used along with mechanics gloves (when I could fit them in the available space) to prevent skinned knuckles.

For seized plugs try using something like PB Blaster or something I heard about (I think on this forum) but haven't tried yet: 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF to use as a penetrant.
 
...too much :beer::beer::beer:?
 
Another Big Guy who just finished the plugs and cap/rotor on an 86 with AC. Patience and perseverance will solve most of these issues!

Also, there is a single bolt on the back of the intake that holds the AC line - remove that and it clears up space to get the cap out easier.
 
you can go though the wheel well to get the one in the back on the passenger side, thats how I had to get mine, used a plug socket, a wobbley, and a long extention.


Robert
 

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