Spark Plug Torque

[MSB911]

After searching the board, I believe I may have over torqued my new spark plugs when installing them in my 87. I couldn’t get my torque wrench in the limited space so I did it by feel. I hand tightened the plugs until they seated on the crush washer, and then tightened until the washer was completely crushed and the plug stopped turning.

Is this spec going to be alright or should I remove them, get new crush washers, and reinstall? I’ve yet to fire up the car after installing them.

Thank you for your help!

[ivangene]

I tend to be conservative on the parts going into aluminum (esp the expensive ones)

not sure what the actual torque is but I tend to go snug, then about a 1/4 turn to cruch the washer - where are you located

it's hard to tell how tight you tightened something, but as long as you didnt REEF on em' you are probably OK

[MSB911]

ivangene,

Thanks for your reply!

No, I didn't reef on them, but did completely crush the washer until they were tight.

Reading the board, the large percentage seems to think just a "nudge" after seating the washer is enough.

[Hugh R]

Down snug and about 1/4 turn after that. They're screwed in with a crush washer, they ain't going to come out.

[DRACO A5OG]

22ft/lbs. per Bentley, make certain the rubber cap of the wires "click" to insure proper contact, when putting her back together.

To make the passenger side more enjoyable, you may want to remove the AC compressor from it's mount and place aside with the hoses connected.

J

[MSB911]

Thank you for the replies everyone!

I’ve decided to reinstall new plugs and go ¼ turn after seating per your suggestions.

[hcoles]

in case controversial info. is not posted on this, I put never seize on the threads, I don't buy the argument that the never seize insulates to an extent to affect spark

[Nine9six]

Originally Posted by hcoles

in case controversial info. is not posted on this, I put never seize on the threads, I don't buy the argument that the never seize insulates to an extent to affect spark

+1 on the statement above...or that anti-seize significantly affects the torque of the sparkplug.

[wildcat077]

Anti seize as well here ... Dab it on with a small brush and wipe off the excess with a rag !

Cheers !
Phil

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by hcoles

in case controversial info. is not posted on this, I put never seize on the threads, I don't buy the argument that the never seize insulates to an extent to affect spark

Originally Posted by Nine9six

+1 on the statement above...or that anti-seize significantly affects the torque of the sparkplug.

Originally Posted by wildcat077

Anti seize as well here ... Dab it on with a small brush and wipe off the excess with a rag !

Cheers !
Phil

A little goes a long way. I doubt I even turn a 1/4 turn after snug. Maybe, but no more. Never had a plug come out on anything.

[Gunter]

+3 on the above.
Always a little Never-seize on the threads.
Plug torque is 20-22 ft-lbs.
Try the snug plus 1/4 turn. Then use a calibrated 3/8"-drive T-wrench on the socket and see how much more it takes.

Re: Torque.
Correct torque is always achieved "Wet", meaning: lube or thread-locker.
If torque is supposed to be "Dry" like for Titanium, it's so specified.

Cheers.

[RWebb]

Never-seize can "poison" the catalytic converter -- that is why Porsche says not to use it on the 1980s & up cars

those using it in Calif. or other smog reg. states may want to read thru the threads on people failing the smog tests

[Gunter]

Would love to see that Tech Bulletin from Porsche about poisoning the CAT.

Porsche was concerned about conductivity only, AFAIK.

Never-seize is used sparingly on the plug threads and not dripped into the cylinders.

[RWebb]

I believe it was posted some years ago. I'd tell you to search but there are so many posts I doubt it can be found

[Superman]

I say you tightened them perfectly. Spark plug torque is always around 18-22 lb/ft. That is about the force it takes to crush the washer. Using a torque wrench, I have found that 20 lb/ft is typically achieved just as the crush washer is finished crushing.

[James Brown]

You'll be fine, next time entering the freeway, rev it up to 7K and if the plugs rocket out with the threads on them then, yeah, you over torqued them.