changin plugs and wires

[luminator18]

i have a 1995 lumina with a 3.4 dohc and was wondering how to change the plugs and wires and which i should use?? it has 62,000 miles on it if that makes a difference

[3100 MPFI]

plugs - AC DELCO Rapidfires.
wires - AC DELCO ones

Get NOTHING with the name BOSCH on the box.

As for removeing the plugs, it is usually just as easy as pulling out the old wire, and removeing the plug.

Are you a total newbie on working on cars, or do you have some experiance?

[GTP091]

Changing the plugs on these cars is easier than you think but we all scratched our heads a few seconds before starting the first time. The front three plugs are simple you just need a long extension to get them out. The back three can be a real bitch depending on the tools you have. It helps to remove the rubber hood seal as it gives you extra room. On my car there is actual factory notches in the sheet metal hidden under the seal for each plug; maybe yours does to; (good trick mechanics use). The GM service manual calls for you to pull the front dog bone and rock the engine forward to get at the rear plugs but this is not necessary, although a shop will disagree. If you want to do that (the real easy way, but takes longer) you can use a ratchet strap to hold your engine forward ;don't waste your money on the special tool.

Make sure you start with an ample supply of different extensions. You'll find different combos when adding them together gives you just enough room to maneuver around. Id start each plug by blowing the hell out of the tube with a long air compressor nozzle to get as much dirt out as you can. Some cars leak a little oil out the cam covers so cover the opening with a rag for the first few blasts.

When putting the plugs back in be super careful to not cross thread them I've never done it but could happen easy on the back three especially. just finger tighten until you know the plug is going in perfect.

As for the wires do them one at a time - 1 out 1 in 1 out 1 in until all six are done. Have fun under the manifold; I moved my Coil pack because of the bitch time it is to get in there.

I also ditto AC Delco wires and plugs.
Buy a tube of dielectric grease when you get the plugs and coat the inside of the plug boots as you go. Keeps out water and corrosion.

[luminator18]

thanks guys for the help.....im very into cars and kno wut im doin its just that ive heard that the back bay of plugs can be a bitch sometimes thanx!!!!

[3100 MPFI]

GM did not notch any of the cars to help get to the rear plugs. If your car is notched, then a previous owner did it. GM mechanics use an engine tilter to do it when you go to the dealer to have the plugs done.

One trick that I sometimes use is I get a piece of wood, and a jack, and I jack up the back of the transmission pan to make the engine tilt forward some. You don't have to jack it far at all to get to the plugs (some cars, you don't need to jack at all), but if you do jack it up that way, be careful that you don't overdo it and mess up the transmission pan.

[luminator18]

alrirght thank you very much that should help

[GTP091]

GM did not notch any of the cars to help get to the rear plugs. If your car is notched, then a previous owner did it. GM mechanics use an engine tilter to do it when you go to the dealer to have the plugs done.

One trick that I sometimes use is I get a piece of wood, and a jack, and I jack up the back of the transmission pan to make the engine tilt forward some. You don't have to jack it far at all to get to the plugs (some cars, you don't need to jack at all), but if you do jack it up that way, be careful that you don't overdo it and mess up the transmission pan.

Not entirely true. I've seen notches on alot of cars at junk yards that have 3.4's in the engine bay. And it was absolutely done at the factory. Precision stamped and the original factory 'primer' covered it.

[timg]

I've gotta say, my rear plugs and wires pull out without tilting the engine. At most, I remove an inch or two of the weatherstripping for a bit of extra clearance.

Tim

[d.o.h.c]

Thats cause after 93, they made the car 1" longer to get to the back of the motor.

[mrl390]

I dont see how it can be done without tilting the engine. I had my entire plenum off on my 97 and I still had a hard time getting to the plugs because of the firewall. I will try to tilt my engine forward next time so I dont have to remove the plenum again.

[GTP091]

I dont see how it can be done without tilting the engine. I had my entire plenum off on my 97 and I still had a hard time getting to the plugs because of the firewall. I will try to tilt my engine forward next time so I dont have to remove the plenum again.

Makes sense on your car that you have to remove the plenum. The plenum on your engine is much larger than on our cars. I think GM changed the plenums in 94 and again in 96? But that is probably the wrong years. Sure someone will clarify in the next post. I've never worked on a 97 but have seen pics and it is quite a bit larger. Keep in mind our cars are all different to as well as the years I have a GTP, others Z34, and yours a monte.

[pocket-rocket]

96/7 were the only ones different from the first type. 91-95 are all the same (intake wise). It doesn't matter if the LQ1 is in a Monte, GP, Lumina or Cutty. They are all the same engine. The things that changed were (IIRC):

93 or 94 started a new vacuum line setup
94 started the cam gears that did not use a lock ring setup, OBD 1.5 and I think this was the year to drop the oil cooler too.
96 started the new intake, OBD 2 and 33mm lifters.

[GTP091]

96/7 were the only ones different from the first type. 91-95 are all the same (intake wise). It doesn't matter if the LQ1 is in a Monte, GP, Lumina or Cutty. They are all the same engine. The things that changed were (IIRC):

93 or 94 started a new vacuum line setup
94 started the cam gears that did not use a lock ring setup, OBD 1.5 and I think this was the year to drop the oil cooler too.
96 started the new intake, OBD 2 and 33mm lifters.

Of course the engine is the same in all of them. I meant that the engine bay size may vary by fractions of an inch and that may change the clearance between the fire wall and the intake.

[tijuana_no]

i have not been able to change the back plugs without removing the planium on my 93 cutty.
i'll try the ratchet strap next .I might have to get Taylor , to tell me how much to move it forward.

[GTP091]

i have not been able to change the back plugs without removing the planium on my 93 cutty.
i'll try the ratchet strap next .I might have to get Taylor , to tell me how much to move it forward.

I pulled my engine forward when doing some work on my EGR and exhaust. I hooked one end to the engine lift loop and the other to my work bench which is bolted tot the floor. I think I was able to get the engine to move about 1.5" forward, without any problems. You should only need 1" to get enough room if it's to tight now. Have you tried pulling the hood seal off and using a few ratchet extensions?? If you do use a ratchet strap to pull the engine forward set the park brake. Make sure you hook the other end to something solid so it doesn;t slip and crush your hand.