| fordmerc | -- 09-01-2010 @ 11:21 AM |
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How much torque should be used to tighten spark plugs? A number would be better than my inexperienced hands.
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| Stroker | -- 09-01-2010 @ 2:33 PM |
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In all the years I've worked on flatheads, I've never used a torque wrench to tighten the plugs. There is a "technique" however. Spark plug gaskets start out with a more or less "round" cross-section. As you tighten the plug, once the plug is in contact with a new (always use new), gasket, you will feel the resistance. Continue tightening in order to flatten the gasket, and when you feel the resistance greatly increase-quit. You don't need to tighten further than that point, as now the formally "round" gasket has been flattened. If you quit too soon, the heat transfer path from the head to the plug body may be compromised. You want to end up with a "flat" plug gasket. I'm sure someone out there in "Forum Land" has "quantified" this point in foot-pounds, but we didn't use torque wrenches for anything but rod and main bolts, where bolt stretch was being utilized to provide the correct clamping force.
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| supereal | -- 09-02-2010 @ 3:51 PM |
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Like Dan, we always used the "feel" approach. That wouldn't be of much help to the uninitiated, however. The "official" spark plug torque for iron heads is 24 to 30 ft lbs.
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