Plug replacement

[heckler97riv]

My 1997 riv SC 130k miles has been having problems the last 10k miles with shuddering while accelerating. it has also gone from about 450 miles pertank to 330. I wanted to try to fix this and just replaced the air filter, fuel filter, and PCV valve yesterday. I am looking to change the plugs too (still original) as i think that is the source of the shuddering ( at least i hope so), i have also been told it should help the miles per tank.

The problem with the plugs is the location on the 3800 series II SC. everything is so crowded and the rear facing 3 are in very congested areas and near the firewall. Does anyone have any tips or methods for removing the rear plugs? any suggestions would be helpful.

[96riviera18]

they are not really as hard as they look. the fronts are easy and the backs can be reached from both the top and botom. it just takes some feeling around and the right tools! i dont know exactly what the piece is called but its a swivel piece that goes on the ratchet to alow some angles while torquing. work on a cold engine and you may want to get a new set of OEM wires b/c chances are they are original, and you may not alwasy be able to see defects in old wires.

btw you may want to think about going with a slightly colder plug. autolite 605's work well in our engines. please see rivperformance.com for more info on how to change the plugs and what to use