Spark plugs without a Torque wrench..

**audipotential** · 12-31-2007 07:16 AM

I cant find my torque wrench and I just bought some platinum plugs. Any way I can approximate the torque down after finger tight?

**drmeegge** · 12-31-2007 07:27 AM

You mean your arm hasn't been calibrated!?

I'd say turn it about another 1/2 turn or until you can no longer unscrew them with your hand.

**audipotential** · 12-31-2007 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by drmeegge

You mean your arm hasn't been calibrated!?

I'd say turn it about another 1/2 turn or until you can no longer unscrew them with your hand.

Hahaha I guess I missed that "mod" on the list.

So you only have to go finger tight??? Or finger tight then a half turn?

**old guy** · 12-31-2007 08:07 AM

Here is a copy of something I posted some time ago. Hope it helps:

For those installing plugs without a torque wrench, let me be a little more specific: New plugs come with a "crush" washer that is designed to flatten out upon installation. If you tighten the (cold!) plugs slowly you can actually feel the washer as it flattens out. After you hand tighten the plugs, begin tuning the plug wrench slowly. The resistance will remain pretty much even until somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3 turns. At that point you will have completely crushed the washer and the plug will get noticeably tighter. That's where you stop.

If you remove the plugs and then reinstall them you will only need 1/8 to 1/4 turn max since the crush washer will already be flattened out.

Additional tip: I always use a high temp anti-seez compound on the plug threads. No it is not absolutely necessary, but it helps with the "feel" when installing the plugs and it sure as hell isn't going to hurt anything. I have installed literally thousands of plugs and never had any issues.

**drmeegge** · 12-31-2007 08:08 AM

I'd say twist it as far as you can by hand and then lightly with a wrench about another 1/2 turn. That should seat it well. If you can uncrew it with your hand after that, than it's not tight enough. Spark plugs should be well seated but not "forced" They're a pretty fragile part of the engine and can break easily. Then you're stuck pulling the head and getting a helicoil put in (which sucks).

**drmeegge** · 12-31-2007 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by old guy

Here is a copy of something I posted some time ago. Hope it helps:

For those installing plugs without a torque wrench, let me be a little more specific: New plugs come with a "crush" washer that is designed to flatten out upon installation. If you tighten the (cold!) plugs slowly you can actually feel the washer as it flattens out. After you hand tighten the plugs, begin tuning the plug wrench slowly. The resistance will remain pretty much even until somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3 turns. At that point you will have completely crushed the washer and the plug will get noticeably tighter. That's where you stop.

If you remove the plugs and then reinstall them you will only need 1/8 to 1/4 turn max since the crush washer will already be flattened out.

Additional tip: I always use a high temp anti-seez compound on the plug threads. No it is not absolutely necessary, but it helps with the "feel" when installing the plugs and it sure as hell isn't going to hurt anything. I have installed literally thousands of plugs and never had any issues.

Perfect explaination!

**audipotential** · 12-31-2007 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by old guy

Here is a copy of something I posted some time ago. Hope it helps:

For those installing plugs without a torque wrench, let me be a little more specific: New plugs come with a "crush" washer that is designed to flatten out upon installation. If you tighten the (cold!) plugs slowly you can actually feel the washer as it flattens out. After you hand tighten the plugs, begin tuning the plug wrench slowly. The resistance will remain pretty much even until somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3 turns. At that point you will have completely crushed the washer and the plug will get noticeably tighter. That's where you stop.

If you remove the plugs and then reinstall them you will only need 1/8 to 1/4 turn max since the crush washer will already be flattened out.

Additional tip: I always use a high temp anti-seez compound on the plug threads. No it is not absolutely necessary, but it helps with the "feel" when installing the plugs and it sure as hell isn't going to hurt anything. I have installed literally thousands of plugs and never had any issues.

Thanks!!!