How to Change a 1981 Corvette's Spark Plugs

The spark plugs on the 1981 Chevrolet Corvette are the main components that provide the spark needed to ignite the fuel-air mixture inside the engine's combustion chamber. Over time, the spark plugs will get corroded and accumulate buildup around the firing prongs due to excessive amounts of un-burned fuel. The passenger's side spark plugs on the 1981 Corvette are fairly straightforward to replace, but the driver's side spark plus will require removal of the front tire and of the exhaust heat shield in order to be accessed.

Instructions

1

Park the 1981 Chevrolet Corvette on a flat surface and shut the engine off. Set the parking brake and open the hood. Wait a couple of hours for the engine to completely cool down.

2

Locate the first spark plug on the passenger's side of the engine, closest to the radiator. Carefully pull the plug wire off the spark plug and position it out of the way of the plug. Loosen and remove the plug with a 1/2-inch drive ratchet, extension and a socket. Screw the new spark plug into the plug hole clockwise to tighten it. Tighten the plug with the ratchet, extension and socket until the plug stops turning. Carefully torque the spark plug down to 15 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and a socket. Push the end of the plug wire over the top of the new plug, until the wire snaps onto the plug.

3

Move to the other passenger's side spark plugs and repeat the same plug replacement process as performed on the first spark plug, until all of the passenger side plugs have been replaced. Ensure that the spark plugs are replaced one at a time, to prevent crossing up the plug wires. Ensure that each of the spark plugs are torqued down to 15 foot-pounds. Once all of the passenger's side spark plugs have been replaced, check each plug wire to ensure that each wire is secured to the top of each plug.

4

Place the wheel chocks in front of the rear wheels and behind the rear wheels as a safety precaution when jacking up the front driver's side wheel. Loosen all of the lug nuts on the driver's side front wheel with a lug wrench.

5

Jack the driver's side front end off the ground and place a jack stand under the proper driver's side front jacking point. Lower the driver's side front end onto the top of the jack stand. Finish unscrewing the lug nuts from the driver's side front wheel. Place the lug nuts near the work area. Pull the wheel off and place it also near the work area. Shine a flashlight through the driver's side front wheel compartment and locate the heat shield that is mounted in front of the driver's side exhaust. The heat shield must be removed to access the driver side spark plugs.

6

Loosen and remove the bolts from the heat shield with the ratchet and socket. If the bolts are extremely tight, use a penetrating oil to lubricate and free up the heat shield bolts. Unscrew the bolts and place them near the work area. Slide the heat shield away from the exhaust and out through the wheel compartment. Place the shield near the work area.

7

Locate the first and second spark plugs on the driver's side of the engine, near the radiator. Inspect the first two plugs to see if they can be accessed from the top of the engine or through the driver's side wheel compartment. Pull the spark plug wire off the first spark plug. Loosen and remove the first spark plug with the ratchet, extension, swivel and a socket. The swivel will make it easier to loosen the spark plug in such a confined space. Once the spark plug is out, screw the new spark plug in clockwise, until it is tight. Tighten the plug with the ratchet, extension, swivel and socket until the plug stops turning. Carefully torque the spark plug down to 15 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and socket. Push the end of the plug wire over the top of the new spark plug until it snaps onto the new plug.

8

Move to the second plug and determine if it can be reached from the top of the engine or through the wheel compartment. Follow the same plug replacement method as used in the replacement of the first plug. Replace the remaining spark plugs through the wheel compartment by following the same steps used for the removal of the first two plugs. Ensure that all of the plugs are torqued down to 15 foot-pounds and the wires are properly snapped onto the new plugs.

9

Re-install the heat shield to the front of the driver's side exhaust, using the mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts down with the ratchet and socket. Slide the driver's side wheel back onto the hub and screw the lug nuts on tightly.

10

Jack the driver's side of the Corvette up and remove the jack stand. Lower the car to the ground and finish tightening the lug nuts down with the lug wrench. Torque the lug nuts down to 100 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and a socket. Crank the engine to check the operation of the spark plugs. The engine should be running smoothly. Remove the wheel chocks.