Author Topic: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug  (Read 828 times)

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Offline Cooper262

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Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« on: April 26, 2022, 09:57:42 AM »
So this weekend i tore apart the top end of my engine fixing oil leaks and now i can’t get the socket into the spot to thread in the spark plug for cylinder 3, and i can’t get it in at the right angle to thread the spark plug in for cylinder 2 but i can atleast get it down in there for that one. Now i don’t have a spark plug socket, but i have used this socket and handful of times for the spark plugs on my bike and had no issue so it seems like something isn’t lined up properly with the cylinder head and the cylinder head cover but everything visually looks good and i am 90% sure everything is on correctly. PLEASE HELP

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2022, 10:13:45 AM »
While it is never easy to change out #2 & 3 spark plug, the correct Honda thin wall socket is a must.

To get the plug started, some of use a short piece of tubing attached to the plug to ensure it gets started correctly and not cross-threaded.  Did you cross thread it??
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Offline Don R

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2022, 11:04:41 AM »
 I start them with a fuel line hose and a plastic tee for a handle. When the handle slips it's tight enough for the wrench. The hard part is finding a straight enough piece of hose.
 It does take a thin socket as mentioned.
   My brother used to have a Honda plug socket with a ratchet adapter made from a cheap extension welded into it.
   There is a champion plug that takes a 5/8" socket but that's the one I determined to be the most often plug broken off in the head. (3 of 4 in one head)
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Offline Kelly E

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2022, 11:37:50 AM »
We have a spark plug socket from the tool kit of a 73' CB500K. We use it for almost all of the bikes.
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The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2022, 11:59:16 AM »
The factory tool from the kit is nice to have, but not a necessity. You do however need an actual spark plug socket and you need to find a thin wall version.

I have had the plugs out of my SOHC4 bikes many times without having a factory tool.
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Don R

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2022, 12:10:16 PM »
  I found an 18mm thin wall socket and made a rubber insert from a piece of sliced heater hose. Also, some heads are harder than others to get the tool into.
 I've been known to use a die grinder on one while it's out of the frame and told it, take that $#'er.
 As in everything, your experience, tools, parts may be different than someone else's. 
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
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Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2022, 12:26:56 PM »
+1, an ordinary thinwall socket, sparkplug rated or not, will not work on all cb750's...some just gotta have the Honda tool, or take your thin wall, chuck it in the lathe and make it extra thin, or butcher with a die or bench grinder
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline beemerbum

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2022, 01:06:46 PM »
Motion Pro offers a long thin wall 18mm socket especially for SOHC Honda motors .Works great.

Offline ekpent

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2022, 02:21:57 PM »
So this weekend i tore apart the top end of my engine fixing oil leaks and now i can’t get the socket into the spot to thread in the spark plug for cylinder 3, and i can’t get it in at the right angle to thread the spark plug in for cylinder 2 but i can atleast get it down in there for that one. Now i don’t have a spark plug socket, but i have used this socket and handful of times for the spark plugs on my bike and had no issue so it seems like something isn’t lined up properly with the cylinder head and the cylinder head cover but everything visually looks good and i am 90% sure everything is on correctly. PLEASE HELP
Just for fun what size,year and model of bike.

Offline Don R

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2022, 06:28:15 PM »
Motion Pro offers a long thin wall 18mm socket especially for SOHC Honda motors .Works great.
OOOh, I did not know that.
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.
 You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Offline Tracksnblades1

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2022, 07:02:54 PM »
+3
On deep well thin wall sockets….
I use a 12 point deep well thin wall socket..
Which most twelve points are…
Never had the binding occur with a twelve point like a 6 point will…
Old snap on, old craftsman’s, Wright, Proto have some of the thinnest 12 points..
I use an old craftsman 12 point deep well out of the 60s they are really thin..😁
Proto makes new thin wall sockets but I don’t own any. Just know some wrenches
that do and like them..👍
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Offline scottly

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #11 on: April 26, 2022, 07:37:49 PM »
This is the type of "thin wall" socket you need; it doesn't have to be the exact factory one. ;)
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
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Offline toma

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #12 on: April 27, 2022, 01:49:25 PM »
This worked for me as a starter.

Offline MauiK3

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #13 on: April 27, 2022, 04:48:56 PM »
+1 factory style thin wall socket
If it doesn’t spin in easily, stop
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Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Cant get socket in the area to thread in my spark plug
« Reply #14 on: April 27, 2022, 06:12:14 PM »
Motion Pro offers a long thin wall 18mm socket especially for SOHC Honda motors .Works great.

Vintagecb750.com sells a good one too.