iain Posted December 31, 2003 Posted December 31, 2003 alright who around here bothers to torque wrench their plugs? Some tell me, yes, absolutely. Others say it does not matter, just make sure they're snug. I just installed some new and just tightened them up, not too much. Seems to be running fine. Any input? Got a nice new smooth idle after putting in some iridium plugs Quote
HRoark Posted December 31, 2003 Posted December 31, 2003 I usually just snug them up real good without cranking down on the wrench handle. Never had a problem. What I was taught was that you don't want to crank down on them (for one, 'cause they might break) because you want to be able to back them out with relative ease if needed. Quote
iain Posted December 31, 2003 Author Posted December 31, 2003 yeah and I was worried about stripping threads on the block and stuff. I put some high temp anti-seize on them to make removal easier. That would be a real bitch to break a plug in there. Thanks. Quote
J_Fisher Posted December 31, 2003 Posted December 31, 2003 I think most mfrs recommend somewhere in the 11-15 foot/lbs range. That translates to snug, or even slightly less than snug. A damaged cylinder head would cost mega $$ to repair. Quote
b-rock Posted December 31, 2003 Posted December 31, 2003 i used to use one when i worked on my car more (when cars wren't so tough to work on). i wouldn't worry about it too much but if you plan to do this often a decent torque wrench only costs a jackson or so. Quote
iain Posted December 31, 2003 Author Posted December 31, 2003 yeah thanks, I probably could just borrow one too if I really needed it. tacomas are pretty easy to work on, though I don't mess too much with the computer and pcv/egr stuff, gets a little complicated and you can make expensive mistakes. Quote
Thinker Posted December 31, 2003 Posted December 31, 2003 I've changed tons of em, never torqued em. I have a pretty decent feel for torque as I've torqued quite a few other things. Never hadd a single problem with breaking a plug. Quote
catbirdseat Posted December 31, 2003 Posted December 31, 2003 alright who around here bothers to torque wrench their plugs? Some tell me, yes, absolutely. Others say it does not matter, just make sure they're snug. I just installed some new and just tightened them up, not too much. Seems to be running fine. Any input? Got a nice new smooth idle after putting in some iridium plugs Iridium you say? Wow. Platinum used to be the best. Iridium has a melting temperature of 4449 F vs. 3224 F for platinum. It is supposed to be the most corrosion resistent metal known to man. So have you noticed any improvement in performance? My truck needs a tune up. Quote
Ducknut Posted December 31, 2003 Posted December 31, 2003 iain  you don't need to be precise, and i doubt that you would break one off or strip the head without throwing your back out trying to crank them down. you should tighten them enough to feel the new gaskets on the plugs crush slightly. it's pretty subtle, as much as you don't want to strip the threads, you don't want them to leak or fall out either.  if you did strip the threads or break one off, you can have the head helicoiled. the have a kit that puts down new threads. its not super expensive. removal of a busted plug isn't too difficult either.  so snug them up tight, crush the gaskets and sleep at night Quote
iain Posted December 31, 2003 Author Posted December 31, 2003 Thanks guys, great info. Â CBS - My performance gains were probably more from just delay of replacement than improvement over stock. I've heard plenty of good things about the iridiums though. I figure you change the plugs so rarely a few bucks is not a big deal and you save a ton by doing it yourself of course. Maybe I'm being taken for a ride spending more on them, but they work great and it isn't much more money. Â One issue with iridium plugs is to be careful gapping them since the center electrode is so narrow and delicate. Easy to break, but I didn't have any issues. Quote
Off_White Posted January 1, 2004 Posted January 1, 2004 Dude, my life would be complete without knowing what kind of torque you put on your plug. Some things even friends don't need to share with friends. Â Quote
iain Posted January 1, 2004 Author Posted January 1, 2004 Thanks for the new avatar image; I'm sure it will be a hit. Quote
cj001f Posted January 1, 2004 Posted January 1, 2004 Thanks for the new avatar image; I'm sure it will be a hit. Gee. Just what I needed. One more thing on CC that's not suitable for work. Quote
allthumbs Posted January 1, 2004 Posted January 1, 2004 Thanks for the new avatar image; I'm sure it will be a hit. Gee. Just what I needed. One more thing on CC that's not suitable for work. ...and we give a shit about your problems, because...?? Quote
cj001f Posted January 1, 2004 Posted January 1, 2004 ...and we give a shit about your problems, because...?? Because obviuously you haven't had your hot beef injection for today. Quote
chelle Posted January 2, 2004 Posted January 2, 2004 You guys take the meaning of gear head to a whole new level. All this discussion of torque, metal melting points and personal plug devices. Quote
EWolfe Posted January 2, 2004 Posted January 2, 2004 Good friend of mine was a mechanic who had the following torque ranges: Â finger tight (loosest) hand tight Wrist tight elbow tight (spark plugs) shoulder tight upper body tight full body tight (tightest) Â very scientific. Quote
snoboy Posted January 2, 2004 Posted January 2, 2004 When I bought a torque wrench, and started using it, I soon learned that I had been over tightening almost everything. Quote
EWolfe Posted January 2, 2004 Posted January 2, 2004 looks like a winner  I was thinking the same thing.  Here's some guys waiting for tickets: Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.