Okay the spark plugs are surrounded by a cylindrical piece of metal that acts as a shield. Removing the plug wires is a total b***h (stars my own) and I'm wondering if I should simply rip out the old wires and replace them with new ones in order to save time. Spark plug cable removal tools just don't seem to work in this application.

FYI I use Autolite platinum plugs as a replacement because ALL of my 318's perform better with those plugs, Autolite Platinum 3924 or AP3924 or whatever with those numbers. Autolite plugs work better than Champion plugs IMHO.

 

Aaaahhhh, long reach hose pliers might be the answer as shown here:

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-piec...ers-37909.html

 

 

I took those shields off years ago, best thing I could've done. Wires are now easy to take off and spark plugs are no longer a chore to change.

 

It seems that in such an environment, the shields would not have made any difference at all. And how did you remove them???

And they were probably implemented by the same idiot who designed Windows 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Some have removed them simply by grabbing them with pliers while twisting and pulling. For me that didn't work, I banged them sideways by using an air chisel, or a short bar and hammer. If you leave the spark plugs in they will break, but if you're changing them anyways then who cares. Just be sure to vacuum up the porcelain fragments afterwards and before you unscrew what remains of the spark plugs. I've also used compressed air to clean all debris from inside and around the shields, removed the spark plug, and then knocked the shields sideways to get them out. There are no fasteners, they are just pushed in place.

 

I'm gonna' go with the Lisle 512410 hose pliers and see how they do. A few mechanics state that in this situation spark plugs that have had the shields removed suffered some problems. I'm also looking at fiberglass boot covers. Will keep you all abreast as to how the pliers worked. 8)