I did it!!!!
 

After about 7 cuts, 1 broken spark plug, a broken vacuum line and 5 hours of labor, I finally finished my tune up. (For the exeption of a air and fuel filter) I am so proud of myself now. :D :D :D :D

You broke a plug?? i'm assuming the ceramic part broke.. :? How tight did you tighten the plugs in your heads?

till i couldn't tighten it any more. i broke the one plug by putting on the wire and didnt realize i didnt have it on an angle. i applied to much pressue and the plug broke. it was in the rear. thankfully, it was the top part that broke and was saved.

u shouldnt put them in untill u cant turn them anymore... if ur heads were aluminum u would have striped them out... and u better be lucky ur week, cause u didnt strip out urs...

i broke a spark plug once... it was one i was taking out, and i dropped it, and it broke

Did you put some anti-sieze on them first? Cause if you cranked on them hard without it, they will be impossible to get out in the near future. I normally go finger tight plus a turn.

nobody told me this. i just started it myself. thanx and i will remember next time not to tighten them so tight.. When should I do another tune up? I have 194k on the car now. 20, 000 miles?

No. I didnt know all of this. I just went on and did the changes.

Then I suggest in the near future, like a week or two, get yourself a little 97 cent packet of antisieze from Walmart, pull the plugs, put little on the threads (about enough to go around the threads in a path about 1/5 to a 1/4 as wide as the threads) and put them back in. Not too tight now. ;)

I'd do it right now :) Also pick up some dieletric grease and coat the inside of the boot on both ends of the wire (coil and plug).

BTW I applaud the initiative to work on your own car, youll learn a lot (and you have already started).

thanx Todd! Feels like I've taken this car apart and put it back together. I am resting now and getting ready for this road trip. I hope I can do this when I get back. In fact, I will get the solvent on my way out.