Chevrolet Repair: Spark Plug Removal, negative battery cable, coolant recovery

Question
Hi Van, the Pontiac mechanics have been on constant vacation so thought you could help me.  I got a 3.1L engine in a 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix.  I want to change the spark plugs, the car has 82,000 miles on it and just recently bought the car.  The front 3 are easy but what is the trick to the back 3 without having to rotate the motor.  Can I get them from under the car?  Thanks for your help Van... take care...Mike

Answer
This is what the repair info says for your car and engine.
it really sounds worse than it actually is. it isn't difficult to rotate an engine like that.

In order to gain access to the spark plugs, the engine must first be rotated.

Disconnect the negative battery cable. If the vehicle has been run recently, allow the engine to thoroughly cool.

For vehicles through 1994, rotate the engine as follows:

Place the transaxle in Neutral.

Remove the air cleaner assembly and coolant recovery bottle.

Unfasten the torque strut-to-engine bracket bolts and swing the torque struts aside.

Replace the passenger side torque strut-to-engine bracket bolt in the engine bracket.

Position a prybar in the bracket so that it contacts the bracket and the bolt.

Rotate the engine by pulling forward on the prybar.

Align the slave hole in the driver side torque strut to the engine bracket hole.

Retain the engine in this position using the torque strut-to-engine bracket bolt.

Or

Place the transaxle in Neutral.

Remove the air cleaner assembly and coolant recovery bottle.

Unfasten the torque strut-to-engine bracket bolts and swing the torque struts aside.

Install engine tilter J 41131 or equivalent, then rotate the engine forward.