spark plug install

[jurhip]

So, i removed #1 cyl. spark plug. Tight all the way out, which I did not like. Looked inside with a mirror and did not really see and metal flakes or signs of cross thread, but who knows. Tried to install the new plug and I feel like I am cross threading immediately (i can put a wrench and turn it lightly, which I didn't) but it won't go more than maybe 1-2 threads before it is too hard by hand.

So I just let it be and went to #2 to see how it was. Same thing. Again, the threads seem clean.

The old spark plug threads were dirty, but no metal flakes.

Anybody else experience this. I am used to hand tightening plugs all the way down till they seat.

Thanks
a very nervous member

[cgarr]

May be just some carbon on the plug end. you could put some lite oil on the new plug threads and run it in then back out, if it was cross threaded it would go in very hard, you would have to really crank on it, but if you start it crossed even a little bit it can be hard to get it started straight again. If you don't want to use a spark plug get a thread chaser, not a tap and run it thru there.

[jurhip]

Is there a special wrench for #1 cylinder. The head wall (toward the front of the car) seems to interfere with my socket making me go in at an angle. Only thing is that I am not sure how much shorter you could really get and still be able to get the plug hex in the socket itself.

Is #1 cylinder spark plug hole drilled slight "off" from the valve cover opening.

[jurhip]

AHAAA!!!!!

Factory toolkit 21mm spark plug wrench. Perfect. Tight. but can thread in by hand.

Just a little BB search to put the lightbulb on.