Topic: Spark plug removal on a 1969 FE 428

[351tony]

G,Day
We need a simple way of removing a set of spark plug from an FE 428
The FE is still sitting in engine bay.
This FE has smog equipment still attached.
Cheers Tony.

[Brian Conway]

G,Day Tony.  I don't have any smog equipment on my car and it is still a bit of a chore.  I don't even start with the plugs until I have removed the valve covers.  A swivel plug socket, patience and an extension are the tools that I use.  Brian

[cobrajetchris]

 The easiest way I have found to remove the plugs from an FE MUSTANG is remove the smog tubes, & the valve covers like BRIAN mentioned and it's not that bad of a job. You will most likely need to buy a set of valve cover gaskets but they probably leak anyway as FORD went cheap and used only 5 bolts to hold the valve covers on and should be more like  8. You can try to remove the plugs without removing these parts but your in for a EXTREMELY frustrating job. There is 2 things I have always been jealous of the CAMARO that FORD should have done: Subframe the car instead of unibody rails and aprons that are weak, rust out, and make it very hard to work on if you have a big block. The other is integral power steering instead of the junk power assist with so much hardware and a not as positive steering. I know I am getting off thread here but I have fought these items on 69-70 MUSTANGS for years. If the 69 MUSTANG was not so damn good looking I would probably own a big block CAMARO! 

[Bob Gaines]

G,Day Tony.  I don't have any smog equipment on my car and it is still a bit of a chore.  I don't even start with the plugs until I have removed the valve covers.  A swivel plug socket, patience and an extension are the tools that I use.  Brian

+1 . This is the way regardless of smog tubes installed or not.

[351tony]

G,Day Brian,Chris,Bob

Thanks for your thoughts and methods on spark plug removal.
Cheers Tony.