When I tighten up my new spark plugs in the 999 head, the spark plug socket seems to slip off the plug hex shoulders before the plug is what I would call fully tight. Looking at the deep recess it tapers to the plug and it would seem the taper is stopping the socket going down far enough to tighten the plug. Am I missing something here - surely there isn't a special tool for 999 spark plugs is there? Or IS there?
You need a thin wall plug socket! I had to machine my Snap-on socket down at work. There's bugger all space down there.
different makes of plugs have different depth "nut" for the socket to fit on. This worked a treat for me: Sealey AK6557 Spark Plug Socket 16mm 3/8"Sq Drive Thin Wall | eBay except the rubber bit inside that stops it slipping out got stuck on the spark plug and its a slut to get out.
The well for the plug has a taper to it - the further down you go, the narrower it gets. Stock champion plugs have the hexagon flats further towards the top end of the plug than the popular NGKs, therefore when you try to fit NGKs, the plug spanner fouls the taper before it can properly grip the flats and tighten the plug. The solution is as above in Creamy's post or to machine or file down your existing socket.
Thanks chaps - makes great sense. I think I'll get one of those that Creamy suggested off ebay and if necessary trim it down a bit. Don't want to do that with my existing one in case I make a mess of it LOL. Cheers guys - looks like the project build is back on again
