260DA Spark Plug Replacement

FishOn

Member
May 2, 2018
128
Washington State
Boat Info
2000 260 Sundancer 260DA
Engines
5.7 Mercruiser w/ Bravo3
Searay gurus, I have a year 2000 260 DA (single 5.7 EFI). It has Sierra brand manifolds and risers. I'm attempting to replace the spark plugs and am having some issues. The clearance between the plug and manifold is so close it doesn't allow use of a typical 5/8 plug socket. Is there a trick or special tool? I'm assuming that you don't need to remove the manifold to do this. Pretty frustrated.
 
Grind down the spark plug socket as necessary to allow it to fit.

A 12 point deep socket may work better. They have thinner walls.
 
Espos4, will try that. Thanks. It's going to have to be mighty thin. Kind of a stupid design.
 
Yeah, an actual "plug socket" isn't going to fit. As Espos4 mentioned, try a regular deep socket or take a socket a grind it to a thin wall. One of those will definitely work. It's just something you learn about as you work on boats - that the "normal" tools don't always work and you sometimes have to get creative.
 
I have used the box end of a regular wrench instead of a socket not specifically on a 5.7, but on another engine that the manifold space was tight.
 
I will see where I get today using these suggestions. Oy, boats. A box end only works after you get the plug out a little bit since it can't reach down in to the recess. That said I did use this on one of the plugs successfully when the socket would fit but then then manifold interfered as it backed out. If I could find a 1/2" drive socket that has a hex head (like a plug socket) I could use that to extend the grip point for the wrench. Going to try the regular deep socket shortly to see how that goes. Hopeful. Thanks!
 
Port side is done. Moving to starboard. The deep socket was the ticket. Thanks guys!! I feel a bit dumb I didn't think of that. I appreciate the help! Sure hope I NEVER need to do this on the water! I'm in there balancing on my head for most of these.
 
Port side is done. Moving to starboard. The deep socket was the ticket. Thanks guys!! I feel a bit dumb I didn't think of that. I appreciate the help! Sure hope I NEVER need to do this on the water! I'm in there balancing on my head for most of these.
Welcome to boat mechanics 101! :) Many things are done by "feel" only.

On the plus side, the engine bay in that model 260DA is extremely spacious. It's actually, in boat terms, a very nice place to work.
 
Oh, didn't see your reply before my last post. I definitely do appreciate the "space" in here. I know it could be much worse. I think to do this with any ease you need to have 6 foot arms with about 12 joints and hands the size of a 50 cent piece.. ‍♂️
 

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