Spark Plugs - 350 Mag

[MC1600]

Simple question...

How on God's green earth do I get to the spark plugs on my 350 Mag?? Is the trained monkey I apparently need worth the extra money??

I don't see any way of getting a wrench up through all that.

:smt100

 

[ghuskin]

six-pack of your favorite beer and a bushel full of patience!

 

[MC1600]

I was kind of afraid of that...thanks.

 

[ghuskin]

MC1600,

I don't have experience with your engine set-up. However, through the years of working on my own vehicles, I've come accross oil filters, spark plugs, starters, etc. that are in seemingly impossible spots to get to. You just need to "drink it over". may need to play around with different combinations of swivels and extensions. Be careful installing new plugs!

Good Luck!

Gregg

 

[Dave S]

I have the same boat and engine as you. When my engine was out of my boat, I took a close look at what would be necessary to change the plugs and it didn't look too difficult. I took this picture of the starboard side of the engine.

I think it will be necessary to remove the one cooling hose you see but I think that's about it. You probably could even work around that but I think I would take it off. I don't have a picture of the port side but as I recall I saw no major obstacles there either. Having said that, I know other folks have reported clearance issues with the spark plug sockets because of the exhaust manifolds. I can't say whether thats the case here or not since I have never changed mine but at first glance it didn't appear to be an issue. In those cases where clearance was a problem. Maybe someone like FC3 (Frank) can comment on that if he sees this posting since I am pretty sure he has this issue with the motors in his 330DA.

Dave S

 

[MC1600]

Thanks Dave - that's VERY helpful! At least it's good to know how they're laid out there under the manifold.

 

[fc3]

The exhaust manifold on my third boat's 350 was arranged just so that a standard plug wrench would not fit past the manifold and onto the plug. The solution was to cut down a standard deep well socket and weld a nut to the back of the socket. The socket had to be cut down to the point where the conductor on the back of the plug stuck out the end of the socket. The nut allowed room for that as the contact went through the nut. I used the smallest nut that would allow the contact to pass thought the bolt hole. Put the improvised socket over the plug and use a regular wrench or socket on the nut and removed the plugs.

Best regards,
Frank C

 

[MC1600]

Good idea if the extensions and swivels won't work!!