Well, I've got 8 spark plugs in the engine. 2 of them are even new! Let's see how long they stay there. So that's 2 plugs and 0 wires complete. I rock!!
Thanks for the help and support, I really didn't want to contemplate a head off job.
Richard, that sounds exactly right and the Duchess is a Y/01 car. No 7 went in fine. No 5... not so much. Thanks for the NGK part no - I'll be getting a set of them instead! (although I'm half tempted to get the stupid price "LPG" plugs and hope they really do last a lifetime).
I went to the local car parts shop and the owner/manager bloke is an ex P38 victim. While we examined my plug socket for alternatives (turns out mine is already a thin wall one) he did say that he had bought plugs with a smaller hex for his car before he flogged it. They're all D2 owners in that shop, so quite handy. In the end he sold me a set of tube spanners for £9 which did the job on No.5 and kept my improvised thread chaser straight enough.
Good news, I think there's enough thread to save it. Bad news, I can't work with the standard plug socket I've got. FFS, isn't anything standard?
OK thanks folks. I found that hack on a YT video for lawnmower etc but didn't feel confident to do it on a proper engine.
And yes, I always read the instructions (have to, really, if you work in IT) so I don't gorilla plugs. This is the first set I've fitted on this engine so I forgot how spoilt I've been by replacing my own work on my Jeep!
There are some idiots out there. Now I remember how hard it was to get the oil filter off the first time, I shoudn't have been surprised :/
Ok, here comes the teeny dremel and cutoff wheel.
EDIT: Wish me luck!
Well, turns out I can't even change the damn plugs :(
The second plug I tried (no 5) was cross threaded or something - I had to use a bar to get it out. As you might expect the thread is a mess. I cranked the engine to try and blow out the pile of crud/alloy shavings that covered half the hole. Now I've got a very second hand looking thread and a spark plug doesn't feel like it'll go in properly.
Has anyone tried chasing the threads with the head in-situ?
It looks like the inlet manifold may be coming off. Is there a gasket I need to get?
Realistically, I need this on the road on Sunday so it's getting plugs now and wires are going on the One Day list. I might just leave them on the back seat the next time it goes to the garage - they know I only leave them the fun jobs :)
I do like that leather, but the wood on the centre console doesn't look like it's up to scratch. Otherwise, it'd be fun trying to explain to an 8 year old in the back that something the size of a paperback only holds one film in lo-res :)
Have you got the one I posted? It's on ebay, the reg is X986HVC
If you've got a spare £15k burning a hole in your pocket :)
https://tinyurl.com/sryttpb
Even with one I can't see it as the link seems to take you straight to the group page. Facebook is a pita sometimes.
Damnit, I went out this afternoon with my new plugs and wires... FFS how am I ever going to get my shovels in to the coil packs? I think it might be just plugs this time :/
Sorry Sloth, forgot you know all this stuff too :)
In the absence of Marty.... I did ask him the same question once and the reply wasn't quite what I was expecting and amounted to "best leave it as it is". Sorry, I didn't file away the details - just the instruction :)
And the troll is revealed :)
Davew, I'd better point out now that ;) is a smiley that means "Wink". ie the post is not to be taken too seriously, or literally. Just in case I use it again.
HAHAHAHAHAHAAH yes. nice one. I can see the clear link :)
The 64-year-old computer scientist will unveil a series of standards in Berlin today over fears of increasing online threats such as electoral interference by foreign powers, hate speech, invasion of privacy and disinformation.
Relax, it's only the internet.
Well, it's got to happen one way or another. IMO being first just means we're ready first, and possibly more prepared to mitigate the issues that will occur if/when others lag behind. We're not going to be as badly affected as some South Sea Islanders, but we might end up with London being flooded out. Possibly a good thing ;)
Why not swap the driver pack (or just the whole valve block/compressor if you like) from the coiled car into one of your running cars before going any further. It should give you some peace of mind that the most complex bit is working.