1997 spark plug change story

[senior Citizen]

It has been a long time since I had changed any spark plugs in a car, since I usually use to replaced the car when they hit 60000 miles on them. Being old and poor my 97 hit 110000 miles. Let me tell you it was a chore as compared to a 57 chevy. Let me give you first timers some tips. #1 Make sure you have a spark plug socket (5/8 inch) that has the rubber inside it, if not the spark plug will fall down into the tube. #2 Get yourself a spark plug boot remover tool, I had 2 boots to remove and I had to go back to Auto Zone to get the tool to pull the last 2.#3 While your at it replace the plug wires. I did not do this at first and after I changed the plugs and took the car for a ride I had a miss and the engine light came on. It was getting dark ,opened the hood and could see arcing from one of the boots to ground. The next day went back to Auto zone came home with a new set of wires. I used the trusty spark plug boot remover tool and replace the wires. I found 2 of the boots had holes in them (From trying to pry the boots off of the spark plugs with a screwdriver). I cleared the engine light and took it for a ride, runs like a dream. (PS the gap in the old spark plugs were real wide I am surprised I did not have a miss, I'm hoping it will improve the gas milage). Sorry for this long thread but I had to tell my story. My next chore is to replace the blend door actuator, I told the wife it will take me 2 days.