Still workin' on that carb issue, but a new wrinkle

[Turbogus]

So last week I'm down at NAPA to get a new plug socket, (the old NAPA branded one I had lost the rubber inner sleeve) they no longer had NAPA branded plug sockets but they warrantied this with one by the Carlyle line. I noticed that the rubbet inner boot opening was larger and didn't hold the plug by the ceramic sleeve but by the tip of the spark plug instead. Tightening down the no. 6 & 8 spark plugs on my 360, you know, the two that you have to access from under the CJ's, and I heard the ceramic crunch and sure enough the ceramic was broken. I thought that I may have pulled at the odd angle one has to address those no. 6 & 8 plugs was the reason. Gingerly I tightened down the others on 2 & 4 and moving to the plugs on the left bank no. 7, (that I had a straight, clear of obstruction shot at) also crushed the ceramic on the plug. I'm not new to changing spark plugs on my Jeep but this is getting right infuriating, considering that my trusty old NAPA plug socket never once cracked/broke the ceramic on any plug on the various AMC, Ford and Chevy's I've used it on.
Do y'all reckon this is just a bad casting or a design flaw?

 

[Hedgehog]

Stopped using the plug sleeved sockets years ago. The sleeve seems like a good idea, but they are not forgiving. Yes, I cracked a few with my old Craftsman until the sleeve was lost. Haven't cracked a plug in quite a while. Of course I'm also getting older and start most of my plugs by hand, yes even the back two, and cinch 'em down with a wrench. Of course that's in a perfect world. There are a few plugs where the wrench is necessary all the way.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Why are you still using a 'sleeved' plug for changing spark-plugs??
I haven't used one in many decades-haven't broke a plug either.
Just use a 6-point deep-socket.
Also-Coat the plug's threads with copper anti-seize to make them easier to remove later on.
LG

 

[Turbogus]

The reason I use sleeved plugs is to keep the ceramic free from contact with the steel portion of the socket to prohibit breakage, as this shorter more open sleeved socket has demonstrated

 

[Hedgehog]

Like I wrote, logic says that a fully supported plug with a rubber sleeve would be easier on the ceramic in the plug. That hasn't been the case for me. One thing the sleeve does do well, it holds the plug on the socket. Sometimes too well, I've broken plugs trying to get a sleeved socket off the plug. Now, if I can't get the plug started by hand, I do the old trick of wrapping a small piece of paper towel around the plug to hold it in place. There is more than one nut with paper towel on it in my CJ.

 

[Turbogus]

I suppose for the last 40 years I've been lucky with using sleeved plug sockets, not once have I broken the ceramic on any plug, until this Taiwanese sockets. I'll defer to your knowlege and see what happens.

 

[Hedgehog]

You and I are of a similar age, probably with similar mechanical experience. I had a couple vehicles that would eat spark plugs if they weren't handled very carefully. It wasn't because they were difficult to get to .... except for that Bronco .... it was because the plug was at an odd angle. The Broncos heat shields would leave me cut and bleeding every time I changed plugs. Even the back two on the CJ are a relative dream by comparison.

 

[Turbogus]

I'm thinking that given the Header flange that's creating a partial obstruction for the socket and lacking shoulder support of the ceramic portion of the plugs are the downfall. After stopping by my local trusty shop, Gary's Automotive, Gary loaned me his Craftsman 43323 swivel Spark Plug socket that had the correct insert. I went to three auto parts shops and one hardware and not until I hit the Sears micro store did I find anyone that had even seen one of these. They got me lined up with a straight socket Craftsman pn 50726 and Made in the USA!

here's the differences (crappy Carlyle on left, Craftsman on right)








Note the wall thickness on the Craftsman.

 

[Turbogus]

Well, used that brand new 'old school' Craftsman $5.08 plug socket and boom, boom, boom. The plugs snugged down without any further issue. Just like my old NAPA one before it lost it's rubber grommet.