Ko-ken 180mm or 250mm Spark Plug socket

[CentenIJ]

Been mulling this over more than I care to admit. Wondering what is most used for others on here. So which one makes more sense the short or long one if I only were to have one?

 

[Dave455]

The 250mm I think.

If you need an extended socket there is seldom any penalty for having the longer one, and I my experience they make it easier to swing a ratchet

They are the only ones I have and I have never had an issue.

But the fact that KoKen offer the shorter ones suggests there are applications…

 

[Dave455]

Great tools by the way, in so many ways.

The lack of wobble between socket and extension, and the positive location of the plug, means it’s easy to get a plug aligned exactly, so there is minimal risk of cross threading.

The version with the spring clips is generally the version to go for.

 

[Steel_Rain]

I didn’t know Koken made those. I have all the Koken plug sockets, but not with the one piece design.

I use locking extensions with these:



Hmmm. I love GJ, I always find tools I didn’t even know I, “needed”.

 

[Wrench97]

The come in handy for COP engines only penalty for the longer one is a V engine with plugs under the cowl sometimes the long ones don't fit.

 

[CentenIJ]

I’m definitely looking at the spring clip type socket. I already have the rubber and magnetic ones but I consider this to be a superior design overall.

The ones I have are also the socket only type forcing me to use locking extensions which is not a huge deal but I feel like if I am going to use an extension with this already special use socket, it might as well be built in.

 

[kbeefy]

When I grab a spark plug socket I always default to the longest one I have.
If I run into obstructions I'll get a shorter one.

Subarus and the back bank on transverse engines often need a smaller one or some crazy combination.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

You would be happier with a set that had swivels then non swivel. You will really be surprised how often you will be utilizing that swivel even on a COP! On a COP under the cowel you will run into a lot of issues where you can't slide the extension in with the ratchet attached (example all Hemi trucks cylinder 7). On a lot of things you need that tad bit of swivel to clear the firewall!

 

[richfinn]

Been mulling this over more than I care to admit. Wondering what is most used for others on here. So which one makes more sense the short or long one if I only were to have one?

I would go with the 250mm if you work on a lot of Euro & Asian cars with inline 4 cylinder engines.

I have regular length Ko-ken plug sockets and tend to use a locking 250mm extension unless I encounter any V6/V8 or OHV engines.

 

[dnschmidt]

In the old days of the V8 era long extensions were useless as they would simply hit the inner fenders. With COP engines having the spark plugs on the top and often buried deep inside the engine longer is better. I don't really see what the one piece design gains for you over a normal socket with an extension unless it uses a swivel joint which the ASTRO spark plug socket kit does. https://www.astrotools.com/product/magnetic-spark-plug-universal-extension-socket-set/

 

[Fedwrench]

Buy both on sale

I think the 250mm is extremely useful for recessed plugs. Ko-Ken goodness

 

[L.Cheapo]

I’m definitely looking at the spring clip type socket. I already have the rubber and magnetic ones but I consider this to be a superior design overall.

The ones I have are also the socket only type forcing me to use locking extensions which is not a huge deal but I feel like if I am going to use an extension with this already special use socket, it might as well be built in.

Someone here convinced me of the virtues of the clip type Ko-Ken spark plug socket.

I bought one and used it.

Then I went back and bought every one Ko-Ken makes. I had the rubber insert type from another manufacturer before these and there is no comparison. Not a fan of the magnetic style, personally.

 

[CentenIJ]

I ended up ordering both plus the standard socket without the built in extension. Figured these should cover all my bases.

The Zoro 20% off promo going on made it an easier decision though I wish I would have taken advantage of the Koken black friday 30% off.