Found Spark Plug crush washers
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Found Spark Plug crush washers
So I have these aluminum heads that use gasketed spark plugs. And I'm one of those OCD types that constantly inspects my plugs. But the crush washers are one-time use. I kept seeing oil on the plug threads because the gasket was not sealing anymore.
Don't want to throw away almost new plugs just because of the gasket so I set out to find replacements. Not easy. Several hours of googling and the consensus was "not available separately".
But then I found a reference to Champion N678 and lo and behold, there was the elusive washer. Available from both Summit & JEGS for about $30 for a bag of 1,000. Yeah, it will be a lifetime supply.
Don't want to throw away almost new plugs just because of the gasket so I set out to find replacements. Not easy. Several hours of googling and the consensus was "not available separately".
But then I found a reference to Champion N678 and lo and behold, there was the elusive washer. Available from both Summit & JEGS for about $30 for a bag of 1,000. Yeah, it will be a lifetime supply.
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Nothing wrong by having an ample supply of specific inventory, Markus.
At the least, it's one less item to be concerned about, right?
Plus, you're in good OCD company with some of the rest of us here.
At the least, it's one less item to be concerned about, right?
Plus, you're in good OCD company with some of the rest of us here.
Last edited by Dustup7T2; Apr 12, 2015 at 08:37 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Boy that OCD thing must be a real hassle at times.
I have not once in over 35 years of using plugs on aluminum heads changed the crush washer or even considered it an issue.
I had to take plugs in and out all the time on 2 stroke bikes. Oil on the threads, yes from the two stroke oil in the combustion chamber if idled a lot.
Check mine on the vette fairly often for jetting adjustment or wear, never had oil show up on the threads either. Wouldn't that indicate that excessive oil is getting past the rings to the plug?
I have not once in over 35 years of using plugs on aluminum heads changed the crush washer or even considered it an issue.
I had to take plugs in and out all the time on 2 stroke bikes. Oil on the threads, yes from the two stroke oil in the combustion chamber if idled a lot.
Check mine on the vette fairly often for jetting adjustment or wear, never had oil show up on the threads either. Wouldn't that indicate that excessive oil is getting past the rings to the plug?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
I never used to think about the crush washer either, but a while back I decided to fix my oil leak once and for all. Replaced rear main seal, oil pan gasket and valve cover gaskets. After that I still had a stubborn couple of drops that just wouldn't stop. Finally traced it to oil being pushed past the spark plugs. Replaced the plugs and since then it's dry under the car.
Oil consumption is more than I'd like but not excessive. About 1 qt every 1,000 - 1,300 miles. Since all my driving is short distance it's acceptable.
Oil consumption is more than I'd like but not excessive. About 1 qt every 1,000 - 1,300 miles. Since all my driving is short distance it's acceptable.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,115
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
they make a great stocking stuffer
Give 8 away on the forum at christmas time
and till have 2 life times worth.
Marshal
Give 8 away on the forum at christmas time
and till have 2 life times worth.
Marshal
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote