spark plug torque
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
I don't understand why so many people think that #7 on a 'Vette is so tough. My first brand new car was a '71 Chevelle SS455. Now on THAT car, #7 was tough!! My neighbor had a '68 Chrysler Imperial, with a 440 in it. We tuned it up once, and had to go underneath, and contort all over the place, to get #7....
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
On the oil drain plug, BMW makes their drain plug hollow so if someone doesn't torque it correctly it will fail the plug and not the pan. There is good reason for their design logic.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 9
Torque values are there to establish a correct preload in the threaded joint. I use a torque wrench for every part that is removed and has an established torque value.
On the oil drain plug, BMW makes their drain plug hollow so if someone doesn't torque it correctly it will fail the plug and not the pan. There is good reason for their design logic.
On the oil drain plug, BMW makes their drain plug hollow so if someone doesn't torque it correctly it will fail the plug and not the pan. There is good reason for their design logic.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 155
From: Rain Festival Headquarters, Upstate NY
BTW, I bought a 3/8" inch-pound torque wrench from CDI (division of Snap-On tools). It's about 12" long (the size of a Craftsman 3/8" ratchet) and it handier for the confines of an engine compartment than 18" long torque wrenches.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Oregon City OR
Awesome info as I am about to change the plugs and do a general tune on my 2001 vette.
Also, I'll stand up for anyone who wants to use a torque wrench. Even though I don't use one on everything, I can say that it's better to ask than to guess and be wrong.
Also, I'll stand up for anyone who wants to use a torque wrench. Even though I don't use one on everything, I can say that it's better to ask than to guess and be wrong.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
I torqued by feel. Been doing that for 50 years
Getting a torque wrench on some of the plugs is next to impossible.
I torque by FEEL and have never had any problems with dozens of cars in 50 years. I also used some anti-sieze which GM does not recommend.
I do. Nothing worse than a seized or broken plug.
I torque by FEEL and have never had any problems with dozens of cars in 50 years. I also used some anti-sieze which GM does not recommend.
I do. Nothing worse than a seized or broken plug.