Pressed Steel Spark Plug Socket

[Provincial]

I run into these sockets now and then. They are common enough that they must have been handed out in a tool kit with something. Perhaps an auto, small engine, or piece of equipment.

They are different from the early sockets in that they have a closed top and hex drive. The one I measured up has a 3/4" hex drive, 1-1/16" external hex, 3-5/16 overall length, and the internal hex is 23/32" extending 1-7/8" deep. There is no cross-hole for a "tommy bar" so they were intended to be turned by a wrench.

I would describe it as "drawn" rather than "stamped" steel. Almost all I see seem to be untreated steel with a patina of rust. At least no serious anti-rust treatment.

All this indicates that these were low-cost items. The fact that they have no markings also indicates this.

Does anyone know the story on these?

 

[Alienbaby17]

I’m sorry I don’t have an answer for you, but that sure is cool. I’ve probably changed ten thousand spark plugs in my time wrenching and I’ve never seen anything like that.

 

[3baygarage]

No answer for you either, but I've run into a lot of them.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Does anyone know the story on these?

I won't profess to knowing the whole story, but I can definitively attest to a part of the story on them...

I know that Vlchek made them for the on-board (1st Echelon maintenance) toolkits that Dodge put inside all of their wartime trucks, including all the Weapons Carrier models (i.e., G-502 3/4-T 4 x 4, G-505 1/2-T 4 x 4) and others (e.g., G-507 1-1/2-T 6 x 6, etc). About a dozen or so different models. Half a million strong. Hence their plentifulness. Once upon a time, I was focused on collecting and selling Dodge WC truck tools and partial tool-sets to guys with Dodge WC trucks. In doing so, I amassed a bunch of manuals (see Pics 4 & 5), and I still have some photos in my archives (see Pics 1, 2, & 3). I will see if I have any laying around still, but they were not marked Vlchek as I recall, or numbered.

EDIT: Based on what I know of wartime 1st echelon provisioning (Willys, Ford, Chevy and Dodge were given some large leeway in suppliers, as long as they matched the on-board toolkit ES 422 spec, and stuck with the OEM's in their prewar stables...), I suspect that Vlchek was probably selling them to Chrysler/Dodge before the war, and probably after as well. But that is informed speculation only. If you want to try to run it down, Dodge/Chrysler part number for the 11/16" hex model in G-502 and G-505 WC trucks was CC-916184. I don't have anything for larger trucks and larger spark plug sockets.

 

[p_mori7]

Many Asian made imported motorcycles used to come with a those types of steel sparkplug socket. Lots of imported power equipment have them now (generators - pressure washers - etc). All chainsaws have them as a combo socket for the sparkplug & bar nuts.

In the OP's example, the LugNut wrench could be used to loosen / tighten.

 

[d42jeep]

I’ve found several of them as well. I believe that this one ended up in the toolset of a WW2 DUKW amphibious vehicle in 2016.
-Don

 

[humber2]

Op's example is smaller than 13/16" for common spark plugs......

 

[didit]

I have found a few of these. The last one was found in the trunk of my Model A coupe along with some Ford scripted wrenches, old black wood handled screwdriver, hand crank and a few other old tools. Fits on the 13/16" wheel lugs or spark plugs. It can be turned with a 1 1/16" or a 3/4" wrench. Drawn formed steel with a substantial sidewall that has stood the test of time. Not at all like a cheap modern punched out socket tool.

 

[Provincial]

It measures at 23/32, but is probably intended for 11/16 hex plugs. A little loose, but close enough to work properly, even with a dinged-up spark plug hex.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The type shown below in Pics 1 & 2, made by Mossberg, are similar. Not forged, but drawn. (Much more robust than the tubular pressed steel types shown in Pics 4, 5, & 6, many of which were also made by Mossberg.) And if you ever find them with "41-W-3335-30", -40, or -50 stamped on them, see Pic 3, pick them up for sure, they were wartime and military, Ordnance Dept replacements for the spark plug sockets that Willys and Ford issued in their on-board toolkits, and they do have a market. And if you ever find the open ended jobbies with the Willys-Overland (see Pic 7) or the Ford ("G.P.W.-17017-A-2") part numbers stamped on them, it's your very lucky day.

 

[wrenchguy]

Hello vintageland guys, I'm reviving this thread because i'm needing 2 of these pressed steel deep sockets for 2 prewar Wisconsin inline 4 aircooled engines i'm working on. The sockets gotta fit between the pushrod tubes and fit the spark plug. The sizes needed are 13/16" and 7/8" with the socket not being more than 1 1/16" OD. (got 2 engines with different size plugs)
Here's photo showing a chainsaw socket along with the pushrod tubes. A similar pressed steel socket was prolly part of this engines toolkit but haven't found any verification of it. Never in my born days I thought I'd need 1 of these pressed/stamped steel thingys. It don't matter to me how its turned, I'll make it work. Thanks4any help.

Example of pressed/drawn steel deep socket use.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Hello vintageland guys, I'm reviving this thread because i'm needing 2 of these pressed steel deep sockets for 2 prewar Wisconsin inline 4 aircooled engines i'm working on. The sockets gotta fit between the pushrod tubes and fit the spark plug. The sizes needed are 13/16" and 7/8" with the socket not being more than 1 1/16" OD. (got 2 engines with different size plugs)
Here's photo showing a chainsaw socket along with the pushrod tubes. A similar pressed steel socket was prolly part of this engines toolkit but haven't found any verification of it. Never in my born days I thought I'd need 1 of these pressed/stamped steel thingys. It don't matter to me how its turned, I'll make it work. Thanks4any help.

Example of pressed/drawn steel deep socket use.

If you still need one, I’ve got a good half a hundred. I’ll look tomorrow and be glad to send it to you.