BG Gear heads i need some help

[Mr. Flippy]

i just bought some new plugs and wires for my 1998 2.5L engine ford ranger pickup. ive changed wires and plugs before on my last vehicle but never on this truck since i bought it a year ago. i was looking at it today and ran into a problem. how do you go about changing the last two plugs on the driver side of the engine. it has to be easier than pulling off the upper intake manifold. which if i did that i would have to buy seals and some extra stuff to deal with the removal of the intake. so BG can anyone out there help a brother out

[Korietsu]

Buy a chilton's manual for your vehicle. Problem solved.

[Tekki]

Buy a chilton's manual for your vehicle. Problem solved.

Times 1000

Before I got a new car w/ a lifetime warranty I went through 2 that I ran into the ground. Both were old as dirt but I kept them alive with a box of tools and Chilton alone.

[Korietsu]

Also, take a look at this, Just a quick google on the ford ranger engines, published in 1998.

Replacing Spark Plugs - Popular Mechanics

[BIGSTIC]

Key to any spark plug replacement is.........

1)Thin Wall socket
2)Extensions of various length
3)Socket Universal Joint
4)box end plug wrench with a offset

And if all else fails Snap-On has a nice harley davidson bike, spark plug socket. It is about half an inch long and slides over the spark plug and basically brings the nut farther out to make tightening easier.

Other than that use your imagination. I pulled the motor out of my 72 Chevy Blazer and another out of my 76 Chevy Pickup and swapped them. Took me all of 5 hours. Yet the wifes car needs spark plugs it goes to the shop. I hate small new engines.

[Elesirdur]

Go to Autozone.com and register for their service manual access. It's free and you can always use a spoof email address to avoid spam. I added a 2.5L 1998 Ranger to my list and they do have full manuals for it.

Just thinking about your specific issue, have you tried attaching an extension to your socket wrench? A solid extender should be able to get into the tight space between the engine and the master cylinder (I'm guessing that's the problem) to get at those last plugs. If you don't have a socket wrench extender, you should get one - they're invaluable when working in cramped spaces.

[Mr. Flippy]

Key to any spark plug replacement is.........

1)Thin Wall socket
2)Extensions of various length
3)Socket Universal Joint
4)box end plug wrench with a offset

And if all else fails Snap-On has a nice harley davidson bike, spark plug socket. It is about half an inch long and slides over the spark plug and basically brings the nut farther out to make tightening easier.

Other than that use your imagination. I pulled the motor out of my 72 Chevy Blazer and another out of my 76 Chevy Pickup and swapped them. Took me all of 5 hours. Yet the wifes car needs spark plugs it goes to the shop. I hate small new engines.

ah. i didnt think of a universal joint socket that might just do the trick. thanks for the advice. yeah most defintly going to have to invest in one of the manuals. not unless anyone knows where i can find the PDF file online

[Plow]

Dude don't pirate Chilton's, it's as useful as shit gets.

[Korietsu]

Its like 12 bucks for a chilton's manual, don't pirate it =(.

[Elesirdur]

Yeah, and you'll want a paper copy to have on hand in the garage or to keep in your vehicle. They're easy to find for American-made vehicles, so any auto parts store should have one for a 2.5L Ranger.

I would use caution when employing universal joint extender when getting at spark plugs. If the rubber boot inside the plug socket is worn, using a universal joint can put shear stress on the ceramic sides of the plugs and could possibly crack them.

[Egon]

Go through the fender well.

[Takedown3]

autozone.com is hype for online manuals on every vehicle i owned, quick search brought up this URL which may not work for you since i think it might be linked to my account
AutoZone.com | Membership Benefits

[Awoir]

They actually have swivel spark plug sockets, they are invaluable if you do a decent amount of plug jobs ever, and make this job a ton easier.

[Purrrfect]

Long, skinny arms/fingers halp too.

[Mr. Flippy]

^yeah that would help. but unfortunately i have big hands and short fingers