We cant get the spark plugs out. They seem to be recessed into the engine passed the little half circles around the spark plug hole. The socket hardly goes on and pops right off when trying to turn them.

https://i.imgur.com/5JgsH5H.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QyC0tTR.jpg

 

Yeah, the stock sparkplug holes are notoriously a PITA due to the super tight radial clearance. You basically need an ultra-thin wall tipped socket. Here's a few common solutions:
1) Take a 15/16" socket and grind the OD about 3/8" inboard from the tip until the wall thickess is ~0.024" at the hex corners. A lathe works better for this if you have access to one.
2) If you've got money to burn, pay up for the Racing Beat thinwall socket. You'll be out $90.

 

What he said. But there is a third option, which is go to the hardware stores in your area and see if you can find a socket that will work. When I got the car I had three sockets, luckily one of them has ultra thin walls (without any modification). Don't know where it came from, no branding.

 

I believe the size is THIRTEEN Sixteenths..not 15/16ths.

 

Yup, far as i know the only sizes for spark plugs are 5/8, 3/4, 13/16 and 18mm

 

I recommend using a spark plug socket. It'll have a rubber grommet inside that helps secure the plug without damage. Many times those are thin-walled to begin with. Mine go on just fine.

 

I have always used my Craftsman spark plug socket on my rx7s. I have had zero issues.

 

..meh...(sorry Sarge,debate time...!)
Sometimes that rubber grommet inside prevents the socket from accepting the plug and in order to go down further on the socket you remove the Grommet.
Frankly If I am removing a plug I don't care if the porcelain breaks on it as I am replacing the plugs and not using them again.

*also the regular 13/16ths deep socket needs to have excess metal taken off all around the socket opening AND If you look at the end of the socket,inside it,you will see that it doesn't really take hold of the nut or Plug until about a 1/4 inch inside.
So you need to take some metal off the Length where the socket opens so it can be used more effectively.You need the socket to grip as soon as it gets placed on the plug and the "regular" socket will create slippage and damage if the socket can't grip it from the start of the socket.

 

My bad, as mentioned 13/16" is the right size. While there are 5/8" plugs that will work for the leading holes, you're essentially stuck with 13/16" hex for the trailing holes.

 

I'm wondering if it may pay off to search the Lawn and Garden sections of a store to see if they "may have" a plug remover for stuff like chain saws or the like.
You never know if you can get one of those thin walled sockets with the rod like handle that may work.

 

Well that's just fine. Throwing down the Mod card on
me.
Since you're the resident mod of innuendo, I'm really tempted on this but decided to keep it clean.



Seriously though...I know what you're saying. All I can tell you is that I've always used my plug socket and never had an issue on the FD. Couldn't tell you off-hand what brand it is...the different sizes are probably different brands as I've had them since God was a Corporal and couldn't afford to buy a 'set' back then.

 

heh,heh..!
I had an S5 that I used "other" plugs on and I modified a regular deep socket to fit it.
Really I wanted to take that friggin lip on the housing and grind/dremel it off though.

 

I always just used a 21mm long socket. Never had a problem with clearance issues with bur9eq bur7eq...