highcking Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 Gents - as you know, plugs on '58s (also '57s and other nailheads) are recessed into the block. No problem - except that on my "new" car, a previous owner sprayed plenty of green paint into the plug cavities. Result is that none of my 13/16" sockets will squeeze between the paint and the plug body. I tried tapping the socket in with a small hammer - with predictable results. It was hard to get back out and hadn't touched the plug. The plugs fire, but I think they may have been in there a long time.Ideas?BillLuray, VA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 I ground down a 13/16" spark plug socket, because I just had this issue with my Roadmaster. I effectively decreased the OD of the socket itself so it would fit into the holes of the head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highcking Posted April 26, 2013 Author Share Posted April 26, 2013 Adam - that may be the only solution. It's nice to know that someone else has tried it with success. But what a nuisance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 I agree! I've used this socket on several 58-60 nailheads, and never had this problem before this car. They have always been tight, but were never so tight that the socket would get wedged. It didn't take much to get the clearance I needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NikeAjax Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 Huh... what-if... you took a small slot-tip screw and, um, chiseled the paint out?!?!?!? Seems like a real pain in the (expletive deleted) to have to customize a tool like that: what if you need to pull a plug and you're in BF Egypt without said tool? I see RAGE in your future... You might be able to use an awl, or ice-pick if the screw driver is too big to fit... Take the time to do it right, you'll be happy you did later!Just a thought,Jaybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 Take a caliper to town and measure sockets, or google thinwall deep sockets...they are out there. One of my 3 sockets fits well; it is an old snapon.Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kaycee Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 I've used my old Snap on for years on tons of nailheads and never had a problem other than maybe an old "greased up" engine. kaycee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Falabella Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 After the plugs are loosened somewhat, it might be a good idea to vacuum around the plugs so no paintchips wind up in the cylinders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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