We all know how tough it is to change the spark plugs on our LT1s.

With headers, it can be even more difficult. So I felt generous and hoping to keep my fingernails clean for 24 hours, decided to let a local mechanic change my plugs.

What a total whiner.

"They are hard to get to....

"I'm gonna have to charge extra...

"The front plugs are difficult to get out....

Geez! IF the plugs were easy, they'd already been changed. It seems all they want are cars with the plugs facing them when they open the hood.

At $100 an hour, I expect them to sweat a little. I find their whining to be a ridiculous effect after getting soaked for their labor costs.

 

Yup: one of the problems with these cars is the lack of room to work on them. I suppose that many mechanics, who generally charge around 60-80 an hour are reluctant to do things like change plugs, since unless they are really experienced and have custom tools, it might take them 4- 5 hours to change the plugs. And 5 hrs at 70/hr your talkin' 350 bucks for a plug change, whereas for that same 5 hours, they could probably make twice that much on different jobs based on the hours quoted to do those jobs.

I would be curious to know what a GM dealer's manual quotes for a plug change on an Lt1.

 

its easier with long tubes, i change my plugs in 15 minutes old ones out new ones in.

 

That's pathetic. You need to find another mechanic or do it yourself. All you need is a good spark plug socket. Sometimes you can use the ratchet, sometimes you have to put an open ended wrench on the end of it. Sometimes you have to get it from the bottom. I can have plugs changed in an hour on these cars, and that's without a lift.

 

with the pasesetters on my old Z i could change all of them from the top within 30 min.if your car has manifolds its a PITA though.

 

and who is the baby??? j/k

How much did he quote you?

 

Took me a long time just to do wires with my shorties. Did it 3 days ago and my hand still hurts in the middle when I grab something.

 

dude man up and do it yourself!!!!! its not that hard, i'm sorry but you are the one that is the baby!!!!

 

I still have the stock exhaust manifolds for now...and didn't find them that bad....however #2 was definitely the worst to get to.....

Doing a compression check on that cylinder was a ***** too.

 

I looked flat rate labor ops at work one day and a plug change on an lt1 pays 9/10 of an hour . Its considered a maintance job and maintance pays $13 flat rate at ford. I would only get paid $11.70? for doing plugs on an lt1 car if it took 30 min or a couple hours.

 

the rate is applied by alldata or other service 'experienced' technicians that have done it and averaged out a time. if the guy wants to charge 'extra' for difficulties then he's an idiot and shouldnt be a mechanic.

thing is, with headers and a shallow plug and a 3/4" ratchet wrench i can do it in less than 30 min.

 

GM labor time for a 97 LT1 is 1.8 for all of the plugs.

 

I had a buddy with a 95 TA. He took it to somewhere local where his old man takes their cars. For plugs and wires they charged him 460. wires and plugs were around 100, it made me laugh. Couldnt believe he didnt throw a **** fit at the place, I would of made it a end of the world ordeal. He just pulled out his credit card and ouch.

 

same here. piece of cake

 

the trick is dont use a shorty socket like some sell, use a full sized sparkplug socket and find a ratcheting box end wrench for the end, dont even bother using a regular ratchet.