Nope, never came close to even suggesting that it was. Your claim doesn't even come close considering that I haven't yet described the three different ways I can think of off the top of my head that resolves the OPs problem of getting the #3 spark plug out and in undamaged.
Okay, so how is your explanation to go get a longer spark plug socket any different than my recommendation of procuring a tool specifically designed to address the problem he's encountering? Please, address it from the stand point(s) of: Cost Time spent doing the task Likelyhood of the job not being botched
It will reduce the time for the experienced also. Are you at all familiar with the space constraints involved here or are you just parroting what the others with sketchy recollections have said?
Only if it's a good idea. remember, you recommended tha he buy a longer spark plug socket. Newsflash, he isn't likely to find it at Sears, Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Lowes or anywhere else besides a tool truck.
As you said, buy a longer spark plug socket, the likely candidate costing around $25.00, and he'll still have just 1/4" space to manipulate it in. What fun!
Yes "magic tool." Just so you know, a standard length 5/8" spark plug socket is
2 3/8" long, once maneuvered onto the #3 spark plug (with two fingers if lucky) the hex end will be below the level of the heat shield that surrounds the left side exhaust manifold, meaning that it's worthless for getting a wrench on and since there is only .700 inch space out to the steering shaft, ratchet and breaker bar are out also. The next longer available 5/8" spark plug socket is 2 7/8" long and -does- project the hex outside the heat shield, -but- he'll have to break the spark plug off to get it on because of the lack of clearance to the steering shaft, which means he won't be able to use it to install the new plug. Catch-22, obvious to anyone who's ever worked on an S chassis with a 4.3.Ed, don't confuse the fact that I didn't reply to your half baked solution to my not having read it. You suggested a "longer than stock spark plug socket." Okay, where does he get one? What manufacturer? What part number? Seems to me he could have easily wasted as much time or more chasing around looking for a socket that likely isn't available as common stock as he would ordering the special tool from Snap-On. Either way, he's going to spend money which is (strangely) what YOU recommended and are also carping about. Oh, BTW, the only correct information in your first reply was that the engine is not a transverse mount. A factoid that the OP probably already knew.
And I'd say it's safe to assume that he would like them to function better than the old ones and he'd prefer keeping blood loss to a minimum.
Not being prepared and having the tools and skills is -his- problem. McDonalds mentality at it's finest, I want it now damn it! Looks like he as two choices; order the/a tool and spend about the same as your recommendation or; Learn to think past the end of his nose and replace the spark plug with what he has on hand.