1999 Pontiac Grand Prix Spark Plugs?

Question

I am replacing the plugs in my Grand Prix GT. I have replaced the front three (the easy ones!). I can't get to the back three. I was told to roll the motor forward by removing the bolts in the two front motor mounts. Do I need to roll the car forward to do this or can it be lifted by hand? Also, what possible damage could I do if I roll it forward too much? Anyone who has knowledge of this procedure could you please help me and tell me the steps to do this?

Thanks!

Answer 1

to "roll" it forward, you must support the motor from underneath and it can be crazy heavy. it would probably take superman to be able to hold the motor with one hand and change spark plugs with the other. Chock the wheels first. be certain to remove the battery terminal so to prevent accidental start. place a hydraulic or a scissor type jack under the engine in a convenient position using a block of wood to distribute weight because youll dent the pan.
pump it up a little to releive the weight of the motor and transmission off the bolt in motor mount and remove. you may need to check for clearances and remove any accessories that are in the way. let the jack down slowly and it is a good idea to have a second set of eyes watching for problems while you man the jack. be careful hydraulic jacks drop fast with a slight turn of the screw. this should give you enough room.
this is the long way around, you should be able to access the spark plugs with the use of proper flex handle sockets and universal joints with extentions. done it many times. dont worry to bad about breaking the porcelain off removing but be careful on the way back in. and the number one primary reason ***WARNING*** that people screw this up is that they cross thread the plug on its way back in. This wrecks the head. screw the plug in by hand and if you encounter resistance back it out and check for debris and verify you are putting it in straight.

Answer 2

you need to remove what is called the torque struts that mount right above the radiator but just rolling the engine forward isnt that simple. if you look at the torque strut(s) there are holes about in the middle and as you roll the engine forward you slide the mounting bolt through that hole to keep the engine forward. that is if yours are setup like this and I cant recall right off hand. when i say remove the bolts i dont mean the top bolts that mount the bracket to the radiator support, i mean the through bolt that bolts the torque strut to the mounting bracket

Answer 3

NOOOOOOOOO DON'T *** WHITH THE engine mounts,i helped my father change his i know it's a pain in the a ss but take your time and NO DON'T DO WHAT YOU WERE THINKING!!!