In article <003001c58ac2$47557ac0$6501a8c0@nycap.rr.com>, rsmith13@nycap.rr.com
("DAKSY") writes:
>
>
> Hey, John!
>
> <snip> Just bought my first Dodge Dakota (switching from Ford Ranger) it's a
> 1998
> Dakota SLT. 5 speed V-6, don't know much about the history of the truck
> other
> than it was used by an older gentleman who put the first 75000 on it and
> then
> his soon used it while at college and put about 28000 on it. How difficult
> is
> it to change the wires and plugs in the Dakota, I know it was fairly hard
> in
> the Ranger. It seems to be missing a bit.<snip>
>
> Welcome to the DML!
> Well, the plugs should be fairly easy, IF they've been changed at least
> once. The first time is the WORST!
> Our trucks come from the factory with the plugs installed by 900 lb gorillas
> & are almost impossible to break free! First thing you wanna do, before you
> remove the plugs, is to remove the idiotic heat shields around the plugs (IF
> they're still there). They trap dirt & rust & other stuff which can fall
> into the cylinders. Grab each one with a pair of vise grips & yank em out.
> Then blow iut the crap with an air compressor - THEN remove your plugs.
> Install Autolite 3923 or 3924s gapped at .040", although .045" might give
> ya betted MPG... NAPA has a decent wire set. While you're there, grab a
> brass cap & rotor, too...The cap has two Phillips head screws -which are a
> little difficult to get at, but if you use a relatively short screwdriver...
> The rotor lines up easily. If you change the wires one at a time, you should
> have no problems - the NAPA wires match up lengths well...
> HTH,
>
> Bob Smith (DAKSY2K on AIM)
> Averill Park, NY
> 2K DAK SY CC Sport + V6 4X4 5 Speed
>
> WebPage URL: http://home.nycap.rr.com/daksy/
>
Thanks for all the help guys. Unfortunately I had already changed my plugs and
wires by time I read your replys. After slicing my hand twice I decided to
remove the heat shields! Much easier. I believe the plugs had been changed
before unless they come from the factory with Champions, but it still felt like
they welded those plugs in there! The original wires were still on also. A
friend convinced me to put the Bosch Platinum 2's in, he said you don't have to
worry about the gap, he has a 02 Ram and a 71-72, not sure on the year,
Charger. I hope this is not a mistake, he said they are better plug and he
never had any problems with them, just a little more expensive. I did not
change the cap and rotor, duh, will do that Monday.
Thanks,
John
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