What can I use on plug threads?
#3
Team Owner
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FWIW: I've never used anything on plugs, never had a problem removing them even in aluminum heads. But I only snug them up enough to compress the washer, never tighten too much --supposedly that can distort the gap (maybe an old wive's tale, but I've heard that since I was young) and maybe a side benefit is that they come out without a problem.
#5
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A/C Delco told me "NOTHING", they have a special coating on them nowadays to prevent seizing.
And torqueing them down takes very little pressure, 11 ft lbs comes up with little effort. They don't have "crush gaskets" anymore.
NSF
And torqueing them down takes very little pressure, 11 ft lbs comes up with little effort. They don't have "crush gaskets" anymore.
NSF
Last edited by Not So Fast; 04-23-2017 at 09:03 PM.
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gordosoar (04-23-2017)
#6
Burning Brakes
#8
Yep, if you are going to install them, and not pull them for 100K until they need to be replaced again, nothing is needed since they come pre-coated.
If you are going to pull the plugs say every 30k and re-gap and clean them instead, then standard anti-seaze will work once they are pulled and reinstalled.
Lastly, do not remove or install the plugs until the head are bone cold, hence let the engine completely cool down before you work in it. Failure to do so, could end up with your stripping the spark plug channels out of the heads.
If you are going to pull the plugs say every 30k and re-gap and clean them instead, then standard anti-seaze will work once they are pulled and reinstalled.
Lastly, do not remove or install the plugs until the head are bone cold, hence let the engine completely cool down before you work in it. Failure to do so, could end up with your stripping the spark plug channels out of the heads.
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mikeCsix (04-24-2017)
#9
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Yep, if you are going to install them, and not pull them for 100K until they need to be replaced again, nothing is needed since they come pre-coated.
If you are going to pull the plugs say every 30k and re-gap and clean them instead, then standard anti-seaze will work once they are pulled and reinstalled.
Lastly, do not remove or install the plugs until the head are bone cold, hence let the engine completely cool down before you work in it. Failure to do so, could end up with your stripping the spark plug channels out of the heads.
If you are going to pull the plugs say every 30k and re-gap and clean them instead, then standard anti-seaze will work once they are pulled and reinstalled.
Lastly, do not remove or install the plugs until the head are bone cold, hence let the engine completely cool down before you work in it. Failure to do so, could end up with your stripping the spark plug channels out of the heads.
NSF
#10
Racer
Thread Starter
Yep, if you are going to install them, and not pull them for 100K until they need to be replaced again, nothing is needed since they come pre-coated.
If you are going to pull the plugs say every 30k and re-gap and clean them instead, then standard anti-seaze will work once they are pulled and reinstalled.
Lastly, do not remove or install the plugs until the head are bone cold, hence let the engine completely cool down before you work in it. Failure to do so, could end up with your stripping the spark plug channels out of the heads.
If you are going to pull the plugs say every 30k and re-gap and clean them instead, then standard anti-seaze will work once they are pulled and reinstalled.
Lastly, do not remove or install the plugs until the head are bone cold, hence let the engine completely cool down before you work in it. Failure to do so, could end up with your stripping the spark plug channels out of the heads.
Thank.
G
#11
Melting Slicks
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If you can squeeze a torque wrench in there, I highly recommend using one to tighten the plugs. It's amazing how little torque is needed these days. 11ft-lbs is 121in-lbs, so the torque wrench doesn't have to be very big.
If you were to coat the plugs with never-sieze or lanolin, you'll screw up the torque values too and end up over torquing the plugs, further risking thread damage in the heads.
If you were to coat the plugs with never-sieze or lanolin, you'll screw up the torque values too and end up over torquing the plugs, further risking thread damage in the heads.
#13
Le Mans Master
I have had trouble getting plugs out that were "Pre Coated" from the factory... I use just a small amount of "Loctite anti seize stick" on the threads, not enough to make a mess, just enough to fill some of the lower threads... Just a little extra insurance that the plugs will come out easy...WW
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Last edited by WW7; 04-25-2017 at 04:39 AM.
#14
Racer
Thread Starter
If you can squeeze a torque wrench in there, I highly recommend using one to tighten the plugs. It's amazing how little torque is needed these days. 11ft-lbs is 121in-lbs, so the torque wrench doesn't have to be very big.
If you were to coat the plugs with never-sieze or lanolin, you'll screw up the torque values too and end up over torquing the plugs, further risking thread damage in the heads.
If you were to coat the plugs with never-sieze or lanolin, you'll screw up the torque values too and end up over torquing the plugs, further risking thread damage in the heads.
if I'm wrong,, my plugs are over torqued.
Oh crap,, I just checked it and it's 132 inlbs ,,, now what?
Last edited by gordosoar; 04-25-2017 at 10:24 AM.
#15
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#16
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IMO, people are over-using torque wrenches today. Outside of engine assembly or maybe a few other areas, they aren't needed. You should be able to "feel" how tight a bolt should be.
#18
Melting Slicks
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With Mercedes, nearly every fastener has a torque value. Once I started working on them, I tried to guess the torque I was placing on fasteners and found I couldn't come close. With so much aluminum in the Corvette, I'm not willing to guess how tight the fastener feels, I want to know how tight I've torqued it to.
#19
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Maybe this will help, courtesy of the internet What would we do without it,
LS 3 torque specs
NSF
http://paceperformance.com/files/pdf...rque-specs.pdf
PS just noticed they state a different value for new plugs VS old plugs
LS 3 torque specs
NSF
http://paceperformance.com/files/pdf...rque-specs.pdf
PS just noticed they state a different value for new plugs VS old plugs
Last edited by Not So Fast; 04-25-2017 at 02:43 PM.
#20
Le Mans Master
On my 89 corvette I use the torque wrench on the intake manifold and the heads, most everything else is by feel.. With plugs I go until they stop , then give them a little bit more and they're fine. There's no room for a torque wrench most of the time.....WW