S-10 Rant - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67ChevyRedneck · 10-31-2008, 06:48 PM

I'd always heard that 2.2L S-10's were a ***** to change the plug wires. I thought, I'm good with cars, it can't be that bad...

It was absolutely beautiful today! So I decided to install the new NGK plugs and NGK wires I bought a few months ago. A guy at work has a 2.2 and he said it was necessary to remove the PS tire. I get the truck jacked up, w/jackstand under it, and sure enough, lift the flap and easy access to the coil packs! So far so good.

Next I take off the CAI I installed which is actually way easier to remove than all the stock intake stuff. Cool. Got all the wires off pretty easy, got the plugs out, new plugs in. #1 and #2 were a bit of a pain because there is NO extra room with the A/C comressor in the way.

I start to trace the wires down the block in their heat wrap. No biggie, I get them all out. I soon realized there was no way I was going to get the wires back in the heat wrap without taking off the alternator. I tried a few times with no luck. I didn't want to mess up the wires, so the battery was unhooked and off came the alternator... all 3 pain in the ass bolts that hold that on too (I just installed this alternator a couple months ago when the other one pooed on me.)

With the alt. off it was easy to get the plugs in the heat wrap and installed. Got everything back together pretty easy. I probably could have gotten it done without removing the alt. but it was a lot easier with it off.

I've never in my life changed plugs on a vehicle that was anywhere near this difficult.

Rant off

I also took took the time to wash and wax the truck too. So if I bored you with my post, here's some pics to look at

corn · 10-31-2008, 07:39 PM

Not to ruin your rant but if you really want to get mad, come do my 4.3 v6 plugs & wires...

67ChevyRedneck · 10-31-2008, 08:01 PM

Are they really hard too?

I forgot to add that the truck runs waaaaaaaaay better now. It ran fine before, no miss or stumble or anything... but the difference in throttle response is amazing. The plugs/wires were clearly the factory plugs/wires from '99 w/96K on them. The plugs were pretty shot and dirty.

Overall I'm happy

corn · 10-31-2008, 10:27 PM

I havent done it yet but was told they are not fun.

Rafael505 · 10-31-2008, 11:12 PM

Nice s10, heres one i'v been fixing up,, theres a link that I have on youtube check it out,, I also have a 67 chevy c10 that i'm going to be starting soon,,

corn · 10-31-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafael505

Nice s10, heres one i'v been fixing up,, theres a link that I have on youtube check it out,, I also have a 67 chevy c10 that i'm going to be starting soon,,

You made quite an improvement on your '94! Be proud!

BarryB · 10-31-2008, 11:50 PM

Try changing them in a 94 up camaro. you'll appreciate how easy those were to do. They are a pain.

68C15 · 11-01-2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corn

Not to ruin your rant but if you really want to get mad, come do my 4.3 v6 plugs & wires...

1/2 hour to 45 minutes is about right for these. I have space in my driveway today and tomorrow. hint hint

Rafael505 · 11-01-2008, 06:48 AM

Yes "Corn" a lot but still have a long ways to go with it this truck is for my 13 yr old ,, lol,, he don't know it yet ,, but I wont finish it I'm going to leave some for him to do,, I sure like your truck for one I like s10's and I like that style of front end and the red is my favorite color, when I start working on my 67 it'll be red.

Kurt L · 11-01-2008, 12:39 PM

yea 4.3 in a s-10 blazer was a blast.yea rite. had to break loose the motor mount on wife's truck just to get the midde plug out.used a big pry bar to lift engine to change that plug. but later was told that snap-on has a special socket just for that application[$37.00].wished i'd known then what i know now bout that socket.

corn · 11-01-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68C15

1/2 hour to 45 minutes is about right for these. I have space in my driveway today and tomorrow. hint hint

I think you are the guy that was telling me how hard it was!

Oh be warned! Im gonna tear into that 2.4 this week. Here come the dumb questions again...

1tonblaze · 11-01-2008, 02:20 PM

I did the plugs and wires and cap and rotor in my crew s-10 took me like 1hr and half to do . yeah snapon makes a socket for doing the plug right be hind the steering shaft lucky i have it and i have used it many of times . it works well if you got headers on something to.

Arad68 · 11-01-2008, 03:20 PM

I have this socket as well. It makes a big difference with headers or otherwise.

Here are links to the cheapest places I have found them.

It is a Craftsmen piece, not the Snap-on one. They are very similar in construction.

http://www.jegs.com/p/SLP/764116/10002/-1

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Arad68 · 11-01-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

I'd always heard that 2.2L S-10's were a ***** to change the plug wires. I thought, I'm good with cars, it can't be that bad...

It was absolutely beautiful today! So I decided to install the new NGK plugs and NGK wires I bought a few months ago. A guy at work has a 2.2 and he said it was necessary to remove the PS tire. I get the truck jacked up, w/jackstand under it, and sure enough, lift the flap and easy access to the coil packs! So far so good.

Next I take off the CAI I installed which is actually way easier to remove than all the stock intake stuff. Cool. Got all the wires off pretty easy, got the plugs out, new plugs in. #1 and #2 were a bit of a pain because there is NO extra room with the A/C comressor in the way.

I start to trace the wires down the block in their heat wrap. No biggie, I get them all out. I soon realized there was no way I was going to get the wires back in the heat wrap without taking off the alternator. I tried a few times with no luck. I didn't want to mess up the wires, so the battery was unhooked and off came the alternator... all 3 pain in the ass bolts that hold that on too (I just installed this alternator a couple months ago when the other one pooed on me.)

With the alt. off it was easy to get the plugs in the heat wrap and installed. Got everything back together pretty easy. I probably could have gotten it done without removing the alt. but it was a lot easier with it off.

I've never in my life changed plugs on a vehicle that was anywhere near this difficult.

Rant off

I also took took the time to wash and wax the truck too. So if I bored you with my post, here's some pics to look at

Your truck looks good for 96K+ miles.

454_72_4X4 · 11-01-2008, 09:54 PM

Ain't modern engineering great!

Make your next challenge a 3.0l f@rd Aerostar van....At least you have a nice lookin truck when you get the plug wires on. With the f@rd ya still have, well, just a f@rd... LOL

67ChevyRedneck · 11-01-2008, 10:42 PM

Glad I'm not the only one with a difficult vehicle!

I think it took about 2 hours or so, tire on/off, CAI on/off, Alt on/off, wires/plugs on/off, heat wrap...

Rollie396 · 11-04-2008, 03:38 AM

My pita was my 91 s blazer's 4.3.I somehow fumbled my way through it the first time with a socket and ratchet.The second time,I unbolted and dropped the inner fenders.That made a world of difference!

Damien · 11-14-2008, 06:29 PM

You guys with the 4.3s need to get a swivel spark plug socket. These make the number 3 plug a breeze. I use the swivel more then the standard socket.
http://http://www.skhandtool.com/Def...de=10&pid=4480
or
http://http://buy1.snapon.com/catalo...re&dir=catalog

**WIDESIDE72** · 12-08-2008, 01:18 PM

huh... about three yrs ago I went to a buddy who owns a machine shop and took a regular sprak plug socket, drilled the square drive out with a 3/4" drill bit (not your average drill bit, granted) then cut the socket in half to make it shorter in order to change plugs on my 79 Malibu w/ angle plug Brodix heads. Probably would have been easier to buy one already made!

Hawker7 · 12-19-2008, 03:55 PM

Changing the wires and plugs on my 2000 4.3 Blazer wasn't bad. For the plug on the number 3 cylinder, I just unbolted the steering shaft and slid it out of the way. That made it REAL easy to change the plug and only took a few minutes to do. I don't recall having any issues with the other plugs/wires.

Andy4639 · 06-02-2009, 10:27 AM

You guy's need to change plugs on a North Star in a Caddy if you want to here some cussing! I swear I'll never do another one as long as I live.

10-31-2008, 08:01 PM	#3
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: S-10 Rant Are they really hard too? I forgot to add that the truck runs waaaaaaaaay better now. It ran fine before, no miss or stumble or anything... but the difference in throttle response is amazing. The plugs/wires were clearly the factory plugs/wires from '99 w/96K on them. The plugs were pretty shot and dirty. Overall I'm happy __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 10-31-2008 at 08:02 PM.

10-31-2008, 10:27 PM	#4
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: S-10 Rant I havent done it yet but was told they are not fun.

10-31-2008, 11:12 PM	#5
Rafael505 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Town, New mexico Posts: 217	Re: S-10 Rant Nice s10, heres one i'v been fixing up,, theres a link that I have on youtube check it out,, I also have a 67 chevy c10 that i'm going to be starting soon,, __________________ Check out my Photos http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ry.php?cat=769 L.L. N.M. 63 chevy c-10 67 chevy c-10 71 chevy Blazer 4x4 Last edited by Rafael505; 10-31-2008 at 11:14 PM.

10-31-2008, 11:50 PM	#7
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: S-10 Rant Try changing them in a 94 up camaro. you'll appreciate how easy those were to do. They are a pain. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

11-01-2008, 06:48 AM	#9
Rafael505 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Town, New mexico Posts: 217	Re: S-10 Rant Yes "Corn" a lot but still have a long ways to go with it this truck is for my 13 yr old ,, lol,, he don't know it yet ,, but I wont finish it I'm going to leave some for him to do,, I sure like your truck for one I like s10's and I like that style of front end and the red is my favorite color, when I start working on my 67 it'll be red. __________________ Check out my Photos http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ry.php?cat=769 L.L. N.M. 63 chevy c-10 67 chevy c-10 71 chevy Blazer 4x4

10-31-2008, 06:48 PM	#1
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	S-10 Rant I'd always heard that 2.2L S-10's were a ***** to change the plug wires. I thought, I'm good with cars, it can't be that bad... It was absolutely beautiful today! So I decided to install the new NGK plugs and NGK wires I bought a few months ago. A guy at work has a 2.2 and he said it was necessary to remove the PS tire. I get the truck jacked up, w/jackstand under it, and sure enough, lift the flap and easy access to the coil packs! So far so good. Next I take off the CAI I installed which is actually way easier to remove than all the stock intake stuff. Cool. Got all the wires off pretty easy, got the plugs out, new plugs in. #1 and #2 were a bit of a pain because there is NO extra room with the A/C comressor in the way. I start to trace the wires down the block in their heat wrap. No biggie, I get them all out. I soon realized there was no way I was going to get the wires back in the heat wrap without taking off the alternator. I tried a few times with no luck. I didn't want to mess up the wires, so the battery was unhooked and off came the alternator... all 3 pain in the ass bolts that hold that on too (I just installed this alternator a couple months ago when the other one pooed on me.) With the alt. off it was easy to get the plugs in the heat wrap and installed. Got everything back together pretty easy. I probably could have gotten it done without removing the alt. but it was a lot easier with it off. I've never in my life changed plugs on a vehicle that was anywhere near this difficult. Rant off I also took took the time to wash and wax the truck too. So if I bored you with my post, here's some pics to look at Attached Images __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 10-31-2008 at 09:33 PM.

10-31-2008, 07:39 PM	#2
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: S-10 Rant Not to ruin your rant but if you really want to get mad, come do my 4.3 v6 plugs & wires...

11-01-2008, 12:39 PM	#10
Kurt L Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: ne florida Posts: 2,665	Re: S-10 Rant yea 4.3 in a s-10 blazer was a blast.yea rite. had to break loose the motor mount on wife's truck just to get the midde plug out.used a big pry bar to lift engine to change that plug. but later was told that snap-on has a special socket just for that application[$37.00].wished i'd known then what i know now bout that socket.

11-01-2008, 02:20 PM	#12
1tonblaze Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carroll County Maryland , Posts: 828	Re: S-10 Rant I did the plugs and wires and cap and rotor in my crew s-10 took me like 1hr and half to do . yeah snapon makes a socket for doing the plug right be hind the steering shaft lucky i have it and i have used it many of times . it works well if you got headers on something to. __________________ 1970 k/5 blazer--> money pit - 14bolt dana 44 350 sm465/205 36 14.50 16 tires 1972 nova plane jane 6 clyinder might sell might keep dont know 2004 chevy s-10 crewcab zr5 sold 1985 c20 chevy long bed , beater , on its way to a better place in pa from what the dmv told me 2010 kia forte koup 2.4 sx -over the river and threw the woods to the total lot it went . 1999 k1500 suburban 350 vortec 4l60e leather land yacht .

11-01-2008, 03:20 PM	#13
Arad68 Trucks N Tranzams Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 816	Re: S-10 Rant I have this socket as well. It makes a big difference with headers or otherwise. Here are links to the cheapest places I have found them. It is a Craftsmen piece, not the Snap-on one. They are very similar in construction. http://www.jegs.com/p/SLP/764116/10002/-1 http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku __________________ Don '68 Chevy LB 383 TH400/GV/373 posi '56 Chevy 4WD SWB '64 Chevy short stepside '79 Trans Am 455/TH2004R/12blt/4whldisc 95 Kia (Wifes car) 2002 S-10 extended cab pickup "God punishes small sins immediately"

11-01-2008, 09:54 PM	#15
454_72_4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.E. MO Posts: 1,749	Re: S-10 Rant Ain't modern engineering great! Make your next challenge a 3.0l f@rd Aerostar van....At least you have a nice lookin truck when you get the plug wires on. With the f@rd ya still have, well, just a f@rd... LOL __________________ 72 C20 4X4 454 4 speed 89 Trans Am (was) 305 TPI 700r4 93 C1500 2wd Extended cab 350 700r4 98 Sonoma (TPI outa the Trans Am) 03 Yamaha 660 Raptor 03/04 660 Raptor 07 700 Raptor 85 Honda Odyssey

11-01-2008, 10:42 PM	#16
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: S-10 Rant Glad I'm not the only one with a difficult vehicle! I think it took about 2 hours or so, tire on/off, CAI on/off, Alt on/off, wires/plugs on/off, heat wrap... __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 11-01-2008 at 10:42 PM.

11-04-2008, 03:38 AM	#17
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	Re: S-10 Rant My pita was my 91 s blazer's 4.3.I somehow fumbled my way through it the first time with a socket and ratchet.The second time,I unbolted and dropped the inner fenders.That made a world of difference! __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics

11-14-2008, 06:29 PM	#18
Damien Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Farmington, MN Posts: 928	Re: S-10 Rant You guys with the 4.3s need to get a swivel spark plug socket. These make the number 3 plug a breeze. I use the swivel more then the standard socket. http://http://www.skhandtool.com/Def...de=10&pid=4480 or http://http://buy1.snapon.com/catalo...re&dir=catalog __________________ I can still count my vehicles on two... wait three hands. Last edited by Damien; 11-14-2008 at 06:30 PM.

12-08-2008, 01:18 PM	#19
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,494	Re: S-10 Rant huh... about three yrs ago I went to a buddy who owns a machine shop and took a regular sprak plug socket, drilled the square drive out with a 3/4" drill bit (not your average drill bit, granted) then cut the socket in half to make it shorter in order to change plugs on my 79 Malibu w/ angle plug Brodix heads. Probably would have been easier to buy one already made!



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12-19-2008, 03:55 PM	#20
Hawker7 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 321	Re: S-10 Rant Changing the wires and plugs on my 2000 4.3 Blazer wasn't bad. For the plug on the number 3 cylinder, I just unbolted the steering shaft and slid it out of the way. That made it REAL easy to change the plug and only took a few minutes to do. I don't recall having any issues with the other plugs/wires.

06-02-2009, 10:27 AM	#21
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: S-10 Rant You guy's need to change plugs on a North Star in a Caddy if you want to here some cussing! I swear I'll never do another one as long as I live. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

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