A clean technique for removing stubborn spark plug tube seals

A sharp 1/8" wood chisel finds the outside edge of the seal's metal ring at a 45-ish degree angle.


Drive the chisel towards the center of the opening.


Clamp long nose Vise-Grips tightly onto the newly exposed ring edge.



Turn the valve cover over.


Now you can target the Vise-Grip jaw tip with a suitable punch.


Results:



The chisel edge needed reshaping when I was done.

 

These work good. If the seal is brittle then use something to pry it up a little and use the tool to pull the outer edge out.

 

Can you use that type of puller to remove the front cam and crank seals? Couldn't see any way to get the puller claw between the outer metal seal housing and the engine casting, nor could I see how to get it between the rubber seal and the shaft without damaging the shaft.

 

Probably not with the shaft in the way. My mechanic just got a flathead in there and tried not the scratch anything.