C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Installing new spark plugs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 15, 2013 | 12:27 PM
  #1  
The Big Guy's Avatar
The Big Guy
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 13
From: Macomb Michigan
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Default Installing new spark plugs

I have heard of 3 way's to install plugs :

1. Put Anti Seize on the threads
2.Put engine oil on the threads
3. Put the plugs in without either

What is your selection ?
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2013 | 01:22 PM
  #2  
NY3quartrs5-oh's Avatar
NY3quartrs5-oh
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 310
Likes: 2
Default

anti seize
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2013 | 01:34 PM
  #3  
ParisTNDude's Avatar
ParisTNDude
Drifting
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,548
Likes: 15
From: Paris TN
Default

Anti-seize compound...for sure!
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2013 | 02:38 PM
  #4  
HOXXOH's Avatar
HOXXOH
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,104
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default

#3 bare naked.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2013 | 03:03 PM
  #5  
pahlbfishn's Avatar
pahlbfishn
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 396
Likes: 5
From: Liberty Hill TX
Default

The silver coating on "silver" plugs is anti seize. Don't know about other plugs but I don't think it is necessary.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2013 | 03:32 PM
  #6  
truckplay's Avatar
truckplay
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 16
From: Sugarhill Ga
Default

1 drop of anti seize on the threads and 1 drop of dielectric grease on coil and spark plug ends of the wires.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2013 | 04:24 PM
  #7  
LEAVINU's Avatar
LEAVINU
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,078
Likes: 19
From: Cumming, GA
Default

dab of anti-seize here
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2013 | 04:43 PM
  #8  
eboggs_jkvl's Avatar
eboggs_jkvl
Moderator emeritus
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,951
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
Default

anti-seize here. You have aluminum heads and the plugs are not. Spin them down to snug and then another 1/8th turn, drink a beer and do the next plug.

Elmer
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 15, 2013 | 05:51 PM
  #9  
Mike's LS3's Avatar
Mike's LS3
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 862
From: Bay Area CA
Default

Originally Posted by pahlbfishn
The silver coating on "silver" plugs is anti seize. Don't know about other plugs but I don't think it is necessary.
OEM AC plugs have silver coating on threads which is anti seize. It is not recommended to apply anti seize with the OEM AC plugs.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2013 | 07:02 PM
  #10  
2k Cobra's Avatar
2k Cobra
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,327
Likes: 44
From: Sacramento CA
Default

We went through this on the C6 Z06 forum. The Mfrs recommendations was not to use anti seize on plated (Silver) plugs. People have broken/stripped plated plugs using anti seize.

This used to be used on the old black, non plated, plugs to keep them from locking in aluminum heads.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2013 | 08:06 PM
  #11  
JCtx's Avatar
JCtx
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
Default

Originally Posted by victorf
Fact: When tightening torque is concern, unless specify, SAE Standard is "dry torque".
Indeed . And use a freaking torque wrench for that job folks. Most plugs have conical seats nowadays, so the days of seating the plugs and turn them 3/4 of a turn are mostly gone. And that only applied to iron blocks, which we don't have.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2013 | 11:01 PM
  #12  
NY3quartrs5-oh's Avatar
NY3quartrs5-oh
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 310
Likes: 2
Default

I love when know-it-alls have to insult and throw "facts" around to make them feel good about themselves. We are dealing with 11 lb ft torque, and a friction factor (k factor) of anti seize of .15 to .17. That equates to approx 1.5 lb ft. With the dab that some of us use, it's not even that much, so were talking somewhere in between 10-12 lb ft with anti-seize..... use it or not, there's no significant problems for plugs...
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 12:03 AM
  #13  
2k Cobra's Avatar
2k Cobra
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,327
Likes: 44
From: Sacramento CA
Default

The Factory service manual 9-301 Spark Plug replacement refers to 0-10 which states Do Not use anything on threads unless specifically noted.

I think GM knows better than some of us.
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 12:15 AM
  #14  
3 Z06ZR1's Avatar
3 Z06ZR1
Team Owner
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Default

Originally Posted by The Big Guy
I have heard of 3 way's to install plugs :

1. Put Anti Seize on the threads
2.Put engine oil on the threads
3. Put the plugs in without either

What is your selection ?
Plugs go in dry! no anti sieze no oil no nothing!
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 12:18 AM
  #15  
3 Z06ZR1's Avatar
3 Z06ZR1
Team Owner
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Default

Originally Posted by ELP_JC
Indeed . And use a freaking torque wrench for that job folks. Most plugs have conical seats nowadays, so the days of seating the plugs and turn them 3/4 of a turn are mostly gone. And that only applied to iron blocks, which we don't have.
Actually the standard is 1/16 turn past finger tight!
3/4 turn was oil filters not plugs!
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 12:22 AM
  #16  
3 Z06ZR1's Avatar
3 Z06ZR1
Team Owner
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Default

Originally Posted by truckplay
1 drop of anti seize on the threads and 1 drop of dielectric grease on coil and spark plug ends of the wires.
The dielectric grease goes on the white insulator of the plug as it is to
keep it from baking to the plug wire and also seals water out!
same on the coil only on the black.
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 01:40 AM
  #17  
JCtx's Avatar
JCtx
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
Default

Originally Posted by Rock'n Blue 08
3/4 turn was oil filters not plugs!
Guess you're not old enough to remember those . And I'm not that old at 51. But yes, as I said, most modern ones are conical, but it's better to torque them than turn them 1/16 of a turn, especially on aluminum heads .
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Installing new spark plugs

Old Oct 16, 2013 | 11:19 AM
  #18  
Al Gumby's Avatar
Al Gumby
Racer
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 440
Likes: 6
From: Hillsboro Oregon
Default

I've always wanted to ask an aircraft mechanic what they use.
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 01:26 PM
  #19  
C6SUMMER's Avatar
C6SUMMER
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 14
From: Oakville Ontario
Default

From the Factory Service Manual:

Tighten the spark plugs.
Tighten
For cylinder head-new: Tighten the spark plugs to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).
For cylinder head-all subsequent installations: Tighten the spark plugs to 15 N·m (11 lb ft).

No mention of anything on the threads!
Attached Images
File Type: pdf
Service Information.pdf (130.7 KB, 152 views)
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 02:06 PM
  #20  
NY3quartrs5-oh's Avatar
NY3quartrs5-oh
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 310
Likes: 2
Default

For you "by the book" guys, GM doesn't say to use it because knuckle heads will over tighten the plugs and possible break them off, like in this bulletin from NGK: http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/pdf/TB-...1antisieze.pdf.

For those that know better, anti seize prevents galvanic corrosion: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_corrosion. Aluminum heads and steel threads is a perfect recipe for GC. Is it better to use anti seize? You'll get 50/50 answers till the cows come home.... I like to use a dab, but if you don't it will not hurt any! Either way, don't over tighten the plugs!!
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:37 PM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE