1969Mk3Spitfire Posted September 7, 2021 Report Share Posted September 7, 2021 What do you guys use to remove the plug from number 3 cylinder where the designers thoughtfully hid it behind the dizzy? I use a spanner that I bought in 1970 for use in my Lambretta days. It is a completely open box with handle/lever welded at about 45 degrees. The AF fit is sloppy and before now, if the plug is really tight, I’ve broken the insulator due to it rocking. Now that it is being pressed back into service I could probably fashion a rubber bung to keep it straight (common with plug spanners) or I could splash out on a new one that works on No 3 cylinder. Any recommendations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted September 7, 2021 Report Share Posted September 7, 2021 This is the type I use Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted September 7, 2021 Report Share Posted September 7, 2021 I use a 3/8" drive socket type on a short extension. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted September 7, 2021 Report Share Posted September 7, 2021 On the Vitesse I just unclip the dizzy cap pull it forwards and use the std 1/2in drive spark plug socket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinR Posted September 7, 2021 Report Share Posted September 7, 2021 I use a Snap-On S9704KFUA on a 3/8” extension. It’s got a universal joint built into the socket itself. https://shop.snapon.com/product/S9704KFUA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark powell Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 10 hours ago, KevinR said: I use a Snap-On S9704KFUA on a 3/8” extension. It’s got a universal joint built into the socket itself. https://shop.snapon.com/product/S9704KFUA Nice.... But HOW much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 I have no problems with my 13/60. I use a standard socket drive set and spark plug socket. Ok, it is a bit close but passes. Maybe you all need to sell your weird cars and buy a proper one, a 13/60. I've already got my coat and am running for the door. 😱 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 7 minutes ago, Chris A said: Maybe you all need to sell your weird cars and buy a proper one, a 13/60. I've already got my coat and am running for the door. 😱 I'll join you. I love the smaller engines, simple to work on, loads of room round them and light enough to pick up and carry. I cheated and bought a Vitesse-bonnet Herald 13/60.... looks like the big brother but small engine. Best of both worlds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 Similar to the above, socket, universal joint, short extension, dizzy cap off. As for Kevin's snap on tool, wonder it they do something similar at Halfrauds (still have some vouchers left!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 1 hour ago, Badwolf said: Kevin's snap on tool, at £62 i wonder about that like a bad dream as ive only ever used a 14mm plug socket and extn bar to twiddle all the cars ive twiddled often with a impact driver to whizz them out Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinR Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 8 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: at £62 i wonder about that like a bad dream as ive only ever used a 14mm plug socket and extn bar to twiddle all the cars ive twiddled often with a impact driver to whizz them out Pete I got mine years ago 2nd hand on Ebay. I recall that it was less than £10 delivered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 used to like snap on till i bought 2 pozidrivers completely useless they exchanged them twice but soft and useless they now get used as as a spike the old blue handles Stanley's are 25+ years old and just go on and on pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 36 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: used to like snap on till i bought 2 pozidrivers completely useless they exchanged them twice but soft and useless they now get used as as a spike the old blue handles Stanley's are 25+ years old and just go on and on pete Yes, I was fighting against two Pozidrives earlier today that wore away like a leper in a wind tunnel as soon as they touched the screw. I ended up with a multi-screwdriver type thingy and just replaced the bits as they wore. My cordless screwdriver is excellent at making nails; just put a cheap bit in it, press against the screw and press the switch. In seconds, one completely bare metal cylinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 47 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: the old blue handles Stanley's are 25+ years old and just go on and on pete Yes, got one and the yellow positive 'selection box' it came with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 I use Irwin pozidrive/phillips bits in the impact drill and they last well even with my abuse! just put hundreds of screws in the back fence palings where the nails have walked out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1969Mk3Spitfire Posted September 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2021 On 07/09/2021 at 17:46, Paul H said: This is the type I use Paul I have one of this type but for the smaller thread dia plugs. I've had positive experience with it from my RS Turbo days so I did an interweb search. It seems that Toolstation are selling their stock cheaply and will not replenish. Hence I've just bought one for £2.15. I had to check stock on-line at 3 branches before I found that Manchester Ancoats had stock. Travel there was free, courtesy of my Rite of Passage concessionary Metro travel card. Not tried it yet. Will it bend around the distributor to remove No 3 plug.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratton Jimmer Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 14mm socket and 5" extension does the job. There's just enough play in the system to avoid having to take off the dizzy cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 a wobble bar extenion always works for me in spaces that dont align access quite right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1969Mk3Spitfire Posted September 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 It seems that I need 4 different plug spanners for my Spitfire. For No 1 and 4 Cylinder I can use my million year old 14mm, 1/2 inch socket. For No 2 I have to use a 3/8 drive because the larger diameter of the 1/2 extension just fouls on the dizzie and I don’t like to risk out of line fitting. No 3 needs the T bar to undo but will not articulate full circle so I also use my million year old box spanner with handle at 45 degrees. Oh to the joy of Triumph designers 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve P Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 I just use an ancient old plug spanner with a yellow plastic cover and T handle and a knuckle joint on the end,works for all plugs on my Herald and Vitesse no problem. Try getting the plugs out of a Merc SL450 V8,you need 3 hands and a springy multi directional spanner.(and i managed to cross thread one the way back in). Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 1 hour ago, Steve P said: Try getting the plugs out of a Merc SL450 V8 When I was young my mum had an early Renault 5. The #1 spark plug was so far under the bulkhead that you had to drop the engine to remove it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted September 15, 2021 Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 On 08/09/2021 at 20:12, Pete Lewis said: used to like snap on till i bought 2 pozidrivers completely useless they exchanged them twice but soft and useless they now get used as as a spike the old blue handles Stanley's are 25+ years old and just go on and on pete I have some red handled Stanley’s. The very big one was damaged probably by misuse as a kid of 17 or 18 On car. The terminal screwdriver was superb and is sorely missed as it got stolen. Wera are my current driver of choice. Not cheap but not made of cheese either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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