# Automotive Head Scratcher **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 3, 2010, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132 "2010-03-03T15:33:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kenyth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kenyth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenyth)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132/21 "2010-03-05T21:39:52Z")
My brother had a car. He once cut the belt off to change the power steering pump. Only then, to his horror, did he realize that to put the new belt on required removing an engine mount. His garage, tools, time, and experience were too limited for the task. Had to have it towed in. The last car I worked on in any significant manner was a ‘77’ Buik Skylark. You could replace almost any part in the engine compartment out without having to remove anything else. You could drain your radiator through the petcock valve without having to remove the radiator hose. There were actual grease fittings instead of “sealed” bearings. Pure simplicity! These days you have to wonder how the hood closes with all the crap in there. ---
**Author:** ![figure9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@figure9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/figure9)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132/22 "2010-03-05T22:09:28Z")
I agree with Chevy monza V-8. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132/23 "2010-03-05T22:31:37Z")
my brother in law had a '69ish Pontiac Laurentian. It needed a special wrench to get at one of the plugs. When he got it it had been running on 7 cylinders for years. Also, aircooled VWs had many parts that couldn’t be replaced without removing the engine but, so what, it’s like 4 bolts. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132/24 "2010-03-06T01:11:29Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > Of course, this sort of nonsense continues today. I can’t even see the rear-most plugs on the left side of my truck’s engine. (5.7 liter V8 in a Dodge Ram 1500) It’s theoretically possible to swap them without removing the brake booster, but I can’t visualize how. Typical labor to change the plugs on this model is 1.5 - 2 hours, and that’s by someone who’s done it before. > > For comparison, when changing the plugs on my old Subaru, if it took more than 10 minutes, I was either asleep or loafing. I talked to my shop foreman. He said he loosens the egr pipe a little, not removes it, and is able to get access. I have the same motor in my Durango. I think i’ll spot him money to do it. I could tell by the look on his face it’s not easy. ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132/25 "2010-03-06T07:20:21Z")
Acura RSX Type-S. The oil filter is directly above the left side axle. Imagine the mess. Don’t get me started on mid-'90’s Saabs. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132/26 "2010-03-06T10:23:02Z")
It was the Chevy Monza V-8 and I owned one. The manual explained that the motor mounts had to be loosened to jack up the engine to replace all the plugs. I learned this the hard way and after the fact because I replaced all 8 plugs without performing the above procedure. It is possible but it took 6 hours. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132/27 "2010-03-06T10:32:04Z")
I had an early 90’s Chevy Lumina Z34 with a transverse mounted V-6. The recommended method to change the rear plugs was to undo a mount and rotate the engine forward. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132/28 "2010-03-06T12:29:01Z")
Toyota or VW van in the 80’s / 90’s. I believe the engine needed to be removed for an **oil/filter change**. ---
**Author:** ![icbm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/2acd7d/32.png) [@icbm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/icbm)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132/29 "2010-03-06T17:58:43Z")
> **[GM Tool - J 38491 (Spark Plug Boot Removal)](https://www.gminsidenews.com/threads/gm-tool-j-38491-spark-plug-boot-removal.81202/)** > > I saw a picture of it and how in the hell would you use it to remove the spark plug boot? > > I'll be replacing my spark plugs on Wednesday, all 6. I will most likely tilt the engine forward to access the back 3 easier over the supercharger. Here’s a forum post with what looks like a fairly modern Grand Prix with the engine being tilted forward by a Canyon and a towing strap to reach the spark plugs. ---
**Author:** ![In\_Winnipeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a8b319/32.png) [@In\_Winnipeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Winnipeg)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132/30 "2010-03-07T06:25:24Z")
> [@ministryman](#): > > So a bunch of us semi-graybeards are talking about crappy cars in light of the recent recalls. > > I mentioned a vehicle (GM IIRC) that required that you remove the engine block slightly in order to replace the last spark plug. > > I can’t remember what it was. > > Can my grease monkey Dopers help out? Chevy Monza 2+2, circa 1977. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132/31 "2010-03-07T15:37:24Z")
> [@ministryman](#): > > So a bunch of us semi-graybeards are talking about crappy cars in light of the recent recalls. > > I mentioned a vehicle (GM IIRC) that required that you remove the engine block slightly in order to replace the last spark plug. > > I can’t remember what it was. > > Can my grease monkey Dopers help out? Chrysler vans. It is my understanding that this is still the case after 20+ years. According to the last mechanic that replaced spark plugs on my van, it is possible without moving the block, but it takes \> 1 hour and several skinned knuckles to perform the feat. Of course he may have been whooshing me-the cost was not excessive even though the expression when he realized I needed new plugs was… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132/32 "2010-03-07T15:52:01Z")
The '68 Cobra Jet (428 CID) Mustangs has a bitch of a plug. It was #8. It was not uncommon for owners, at least those who changed plugs regularly, to use a hole saw to drill an access hole in the inner fender. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132/33 "2010-03-07T16:12:04Z")
> [@icbm](#): > > [GM Tool - J 38491 (Spark Plug Boot Removal) | GM Inside News Forum](http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f53/gm-tool-j-38491-spark-plug-boot-removal-81202/#post1783839) > > Here’s a forum post with what looks like a fairly modern Grand Prix with the engine being tilted forward by a Canyon and a towing strap to reach the spark plugs. That’s a GM 3800 series engine. I have one in my 99’ Buick Regal and you have to rock the engine forward to get to the rear bank of plugs. It’s just one of many reasons I can’t wait to get rid of it and get back into a Honda Accord. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-head-scratcher/531132.md?page=1)