Installed new plugs and wires this afternoon.

Nothing exploded.

No one died.

The car ran fine afterwards.

Both 1 and 2 have some oil on them. All four had a HUGE gap! Was this an error by my Volvo tech or does the center electrode wear away over time? Anyway, I saved them in the new plug boxes, all numbered, so that I can do some diagnostic stuff later on Sunday.

I gapped my new ones to .028" like the book said to do. (I did match the book; I only think it was .028") The rear one was tough to reach during the initial turns of the removal. The front two were both in very tightly, with 2 causing me some fear of breakage for a few minutes. My Chilton's said to torque the plugs to 18 ft/lbs which my torque wrench never clicked on. It is set right and the things are in tightly. I ended up saying "Screw the torque wrench" and going by feel. I plan to get a shorter one at Sears later on and might do the plugs again (they are cheap). My current one was from AutoZone and works great on big stuff, but I am uncertain whether it is very accurate on low settings. At least a Craftsman USA one will give me more confidence. Should I worry about this right now?

I will get the cap and rotor as well as my new antenna mast done tomorrow; maybe the flame trap, too. I hope to do my headliner as well if I can get an early enough start.

Then I get to do the "harder" stuff . . . (shocks, struts, timing gear and front seals)

Anyway, I got to get fairly dirty and had a lot of fun doing so!
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Mama always told me to eschew obfuscation . . .