Stealth
3/17/2007 2:04:36 AM
Installing platinum plugs in a 1988 Allanté
Before starting you will need:
1. a SMALL ratchet .. no Ifs, no Buts.. a MUST!
2. dielectric grease
3. antiseize compound
4. 8 plugs, pn 41-902 AC Delco. The case is 8#41-902 ACDelco.
5. Primary wire puller
5. fuel filter
6. distributor rotor (if you need plugs, this one is most likely also ready to go)
7. Inspect Distributor cap -
8. Inspect primary wires -
9. Fender protection
suggest blow/ clean or whatever is needed to remove debris from around plugs. I sprayed with engine cleaner and rinsed
1st, place a heavy blanket on the fender for protection.
blind-inspect (using your fingers) the primary wires to determine if you will need a new one here and there (about $7 each)
due to damage. Also inspect distributor cap.
disconnect all the primary wires you can from topside at the plugs. Make sure you pull the boots not the wires.
A puller is available for about $4.
dabb connector ends of each plug with dielectric grease (AFTER installation) for moisture protection and apply a tiny
bit of antiseize paste (BEFORE installation) on threads of each plug
raise the car on the lift, and from underneath, remove the three REAR primary wires and plugs closest to the passenger
side. that took about 10 minutes. ratchet and socket. installed three new ones. cannot reach the 4th plug from this angle.
since car was up there, changed the fuel filter, by the rear drivers side wheel .. 5 min.
dropped the car, removed the air-intake and duct all the way to the throttle body. Now you can remove the 4th plug
from the top .. ratchet / socket and a 2 in extension. It is right by the side of ABS accumulator .. about 20 min, this
one plug requires a bit of patience and you will basically have to climb and lay on the engine compartment to do it ..
use that blanket to protect the fender .. installed new plug, 4th.
installed air-intake and ducts and a new air-cleaner. made sure the primary wires are in their holder or the manifold
will burn them.
Apply dielectric grease to inside of each end of each primary wire (including distributor end) and then plug in
all the wires to the spark plugs from topside.
removed/replaced front 4 plugs, 5 min. Repeat the primary wire process.
The old plugs i removed were R44-LTS6 ACDelco, iron tips.
hints? .. remember to do a blind inspect of the primary wires with your fingers and feel for damage or roughness ..
one of mine was burned through by the exhaust manifold .. this is common on caddies.
all this stuff i had read about changing plugs had me thinking all kinds of horrors, and posponing the job.
none of that happened - there was no need to remove anything else or undue the moutns.
again, as you may know, i have a 4100 .. Dont know if the same applies to a 4500.
i got frustrated of looking for the right plugs at the local part houses, so I went to the Caddy dealer,
ordered a set of dual platinum plugs for a 1996 Seville, 4.9L.
Got pn 41-902 AC Delco. Cost $60 for the set. Someone told me the Champions (about $10 less)
are just as good .. I choose to play it safe on this one and went ACDelco. $10 is not enough to gamble.
After all, these are 100,000+ mile plugs. They way we use these cars, these plugs may well go
200,000+ miles. So the cost is small if one looks at it this way.
the fuel filter was $24. afterwards, checked the old one, it was fairly well plugged. just a matter of maybe a few more
tanks of fuel would had given problems.
so .. what is the trick? Only to remove the rear plug closest to the drivers side from the top. you must use a really
SMALL ratchet .. it pays to buy one if you don't have a small one.
oh, one last thing .. on checking the distributor cap and rotor .. pull it off and see if the rotor shows signs of
blackening in the backside center area, a sign of severe aging .. replaced it as this center is known to crack/burn
through after aging starts blackening it and you will get a shut down on the engine. cost $5
that is it ...
oh no.. wait .. did i mention you have to raise the hood lid?
afterwards, test test the car .. give it a 2 second burnout .. it makes one FEEEELL GOOOD ...
Stealth
3/17/2007 2:24:07 AM
one other thing .. FWD Cadillac cars
engine right bank is closest to the firewall and it is numbered 2-4-6-8 from the passenger side to the driver's side.
The cylinder nearest the passenger side headlight is number one. The one nearest the driver's side headlight is
number 7.
The FRONT OF THE ENGINE is on the passenger side.
The REAR OF THE ENGINE is on the driver's side.
The ENGINE'S LEFT BANK is to the front of the car.
The RIGHT BANK is toward the rear of the car.
The left bank has the odd cylinders, 1-3-5-7 arranged from the ENGINE'S FRONT TO ITS REAR.
The right bank has the even cylinders, 2-4-6-8 arranged from the ENGINE'S FRONT TO ITS REAR
that should cover anything you ran across .. i hope.
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