V8 spark plug removal

[South Gippy Rover]

Hi all,
Slightly embarrassing question.
Is there a special spark plug tool required to remove the plugs on a V8.
I've got 3 spark plug sockets all roughly the same diameter (approx 28mm).
They are too wide to fit in the hole to remove the plugs.
Is there a 'thin walled' socket I need or special Rover tool?
I have been to the shops and all the ones on sale are roughly the same size as mine, give or take a mm.
Thanks in advance.
Paul.

 

[PeterZRH]

No, just that many don't fit. Usually better quality ones do fit. Cheaper sockets tend to be thicker in order to be strong enough, better ones made of good chrome steel don't need to be as thick.

I had to buy one on Ebay branded "Signet" 13/16" which fits and isn't expensive.

 

[Dave3066]

Get the angle grinder or a file out and file down the edge to fit. That's what I and I'm sure many others have done

Dave

 

[colnerov]

Hi, You can also grind some of the excess off the outer diameter. I got one of the cheap pressed steel box spanners and welded an old socket in the end.

Colin

 

[Neilr]

Halfords pro ones fit also.

Neil

 

[South Gippy Rover]

Thanks to all.
Not such an embarrassing question after all.

 

[ghce]

I use a Koken brand spark plug socket which is sufficiently thin walled.

Graeme

 

[classicalgreen]

I have a steel box spanner and a ground down long reach socket . plus somewhere ..is a thin walled correct plug socket ..just misplaced hmm now where did I put my glasses. where am I ? who am I ?

 

[unstable load]

plus somewhere ..is a thin walled correct plug socket ..just misplaced hmm now where did I put my glasses. where am I ? who am I ?

My Snap-On is now resident in someone else's toolbox, may his fingers turn to fishooks and his tender bits start to itch!

 

[South Gippy Rover]

Hi all,
Thanks for your replies.
I cannot find my calipers to measure the exact size of the spark plug recess.
I have found 13/16 kincrome spark plug socket with a diameter of 26.5mm (compared to my 28mm). Can I ask one of you kind gentlemen to measure the diameter of your sockets to see the actual size I need.
I'm reluctant to grind down a socket unless absolutely necessary. I'd rather buy the correct size if I can.
I suspect a 1.5mm difference will work.
I know I could just buy it and see but that would be far too easy.
Many thanks in advance.

Paul.

 

[rockdemon]

one advantage of the later heads is that any old plug spanner will fit....

 

[Neilr]

I've just measured the one I use its 27mm. Hope it helps. Thin wall hex type.

 

[South Gippy Rover]

Thanks Neilr. Much appreciated.

 

[jp928]

My std socket doesnt fit into the recess in a 94 head (HRC2479).

 

[keynsham1]

I use a steel box spanner. The one in the tool roll will fit if you have one? Normal sockets do not fit. Oddly I have a TVR 350i with the SD1 Vitesse V8 and a normal socket fits perfectly so they must have made changes at some point?

I use one like the picture for the P6, but I did have to shorten it as it was too long to miss all the extra gubbins in my NADA engie bay!!

 

[harveyp6]

I just turned down standard plug sockets in a lathe. Coincidently I'm having the same thing done on a 65mm hub nut socket at the moment because as standard it won't fit inside the hub. Typical, designed specifically for the one job, and it still doesn't fit!