Spark plug torque?
 

Planning on changing the spark plugs on the 496 over the weekend. I have no torque wrench...

While installing with a standard wrench, How do I know when it's tight enough?

Re: Spark plug torque?
 

Never used a torque wrench on a spark plug in 23 years of changing them. Don't even know what #'s are torqued to. When they get tight, you will know it. Just use a standard 3/8 drive socket wrench, not a breaker bar.

Re: Spark plug torque?
 

i usually tighten till they seat then about a 1/4 to 1/2 turn as griff said I also have never used a torque wrench on spark plugs in 25 yrs of building/working on motors

Re: Spark plug torque?
 

Good question, here is the answer, had to look it up myself.

http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/technical/torque.htm

11-18 ft/lbs in your case. Much more important with aluminum heads, be sure to put a small touch of anti seize on the threads.

As stated above, one hand tight with a standard handle length 3/8 ratchet should be fine.

Re: Spark plug torque?
 

yes please be sure to alot of ati seize on the threads so in two years in a salt water envirment you wont be able to remove them !!!!!


anti seize has copper in it ( there are others that contain nichel ect ) but as marine 101 teaches us disimilar metals corrode at adavned rate, as Ive stated in the past never never never use anti sieze in a marine enverment

Re: Spark plug torque?
 

Thanks guys.

I'l go easy on the wrench :D

Re: Spark plug torque?
 

Good point GOODT, I was just answering in general re anti-seize, aluminum heads and spark plugs, I can see my punctuation is misleading.

Non-copper based anti-seize or even grease is preferable for marine applications.

Re: Spark plug torque?
 

no offence but all antisieze has some type of metal in it, best to use is merc 101 although 101 does not stand up well to heat I have heard about another product that will stand up to heat but it was extremly expensive. I dont remember what it is so I would say best to use it you want to put something on the treads would just be a high temp grease, personally I dont put any thing on them and have never had a problem execpt with some autolites coming apart at the hex in which case I just us a "turbo" socket to remove what it left

Re: Spark plug torque?
 

I used a little grease on the threads and torqued to 19 lbs in aluminum heads 3 years ago. Changed the plugs out a month or so ago and they came out easy. New plugs went in the same way. Little grease and 19 lbs tq.

Not saying it's gospel, but worked for me