Question about LT1 in a Camaro

[evilwarmaster]

I am looking a Z28s locally, but someone told me something weird. They said not to get it, b/c of the poor mechanical design. They told me it can take hours to change the spark plugs and to remove the engine it would have to be removed from the bottom and could not be pulled out from the top is this true?

[hech54]

Many GM cars have had spark plug access issues in the past so it doesn't surprise me. The mid to late 70's Olds Cutlass had an access panel in the wheelwell to get to the rear spark plugs. Jack up the car and remove a wheel/tire to change the spark plugs?...interesting...
But on the other hand I had to sit IN the engine compartment of my 79 Ford F150 (w/ AC) to get at the back plugs as well....but I'm not a tall person either...

[smearbrick1]

What year of Camaro are you looking at?

[zzyzzx]

What year Z28?

[shelbyGT]

LT1 LS1 model engines seemed to have served the camaro and corvette families very well. I wouldn't be that bothered with it, unless you are that worried about it.

[smearbrick1]

You know, if you are thinking of purchasing one, why don't you just look under the hood and determine if you can get to the spark plugs or not?

[ZAPPER]

I ain't no expert. But plugs can be real pain on some cars. Going thru the wheel wells has helped me out before. And some times it is even easier to drill out a hole in the inner mud sheild or wheel well for like O2 sensors and stuff. These are all old and fairly well known tricks of the trade and any good service manual should tell you what is needed for your year and make.

As far as the engine comming out from the bottom, well I don't know. I have heard that some guys will do things that way depending on the scope of work and the equipment on hand and the car involved (I am thinking front wheel drives may be more prone to this) But I wouldnt worry too much about it, I am pretty sure that yours will come out from the top. It ain't like you will be taking it out every weekend will you?

[Mister Flonk-Flonk]

You'll not be pulling the engine out through the top or from below, and as infrequently as you'll be working on the engine the whole access to sparkplugs "issue" really isn't one. Pay somebody to do it every 30, 000 miles or so. Fifty bucks. Ooooh. That's a real reason to avoid a car. Not. Just ignore the idiot trying to steer you away from it. They probably drive a Mustang or some other piece of crap anyways. :P

[smearbrick1]

You'll not be pulling the engine out through the top or from below, and as infrequently as you'll be working on the engine the whole access to sparkplugs "issue" really isn't one. Pay somebody to do it every 30, 000 miles or so. Fifty bucks. Ooooh. That's a real reason to avoid a car. Not. Just ignore the idiot trying to steer you away from it. They probably drive a Mustang or some other piece of crap anyways. :P

I would wait 50,000 miles before pulling spark plugs. Especially with today's platinum plugs. As long as the plugs are a decent brand (bosch, NGK) you should be ok.

[zzyzzx]

My owners manual say to go 100,000 miles on double platinum plugs.

[Lucifers_Ghost]

I have a '79 Camaro (mind you, I dont have an LT1 ... its just a 4bolt main 350 out of another car). i have never had a problem changing anything on that car. its brutally easy.

Besides, at least for me, part of the fun of owning an old car like that, IS fixing it. not to the point that its breaking down everyday. But its like a project for me. The car is running perfectly but i will just randomly change stuff. I had no reason to but i redid the carpet in the car just because i wanted to.

I wouldnt worry about the spark plugs. If your worried about something small like that, an older car probably isnt for you.

Good luck though. they are a blast.

LG