alum cyl heads, spark plugs, and anti-seizing gel

jerry S · Oct 19, 2004

I was replacing my plugs and just could not find any anti-seizing gel like Permatex Anti-Seize Lubricant, for example. I settled on copper grease. I believe it to be anti-magnetic. Is this ok or am I courting trouble?

jS

66HertzClone · Oct 19, 2004

Do you mean non-conductive? The copper in the anti sieze will conduct current. I used the same stuff when I put plugs in the AFR185 heads on my engine. Started right up.

jerry S · Oct 19, 2004

66HertzClone said:
Do you mean non-conductive? The copper in the anti sieze will conduct current. I used the same stuff when I put plugs in the AFR185 heads on my engine. Started right up.

the tech on the phone at Jegs mentioned that I would want anti-seizing gel. I explained that it is not sold here and that I used copper grease. He said this was ok only as long as it was, and he specifically used the words "anti-magnetic." What exactly do I want and not want on the threads of my plugs? Conductive or non-conductive and why?

jS

66HertzClone · Oct 19, 2004

If you use a non-conductive grease it could in effect insulate the plug from grounding to the engine. No ground, no spark, or at least a misfire possibility. There are anti seize products that are silver in color, these would work.

By the way, it only takes just a tiny drop of this stuff, all you are trying to do is prevent the threads in the aluminum head from being galled as the plugs are tightened.

jerry S · Oct 19, 2004

66HertzClone said:
If you use a non-conductive grease it could in effect insulate the plug from grounding to the engine. No ground, no spark, or at least a misfire possibility. There are anti seize products that are silver in color, these would work.

By the way, it only takes just a tiny drop of this stuff, all you are trying to do is prevent the threads in the aluminum head from being galled as the plugs are tightened.

Just to be safe, I sent an email to Edelbrock. Don't know why I did not think of that first. I used more than just a tiny drop, which is to say I coated the inside of each plug's threads, wiping off any excess. I was careful not to get any on the tip. This stuff says that one of its applications is for spark plugs. I just heard some talk after the fact that the copper grease is not good to use on alum heads for some weird reason and upon hearing this, felt my sphincter tighten up.

66HertzClone · Oct 19, 2004

I have the copper Permatex product on my AFR heads. I think the "do not use" thing is an urban legend. If there was any potential of a problem, warning would be all over the packaging, we are a litigious society after all.

jerry S · Oct 19, 2004

66HertzClone said:
I have the copper Permatex product on my AFR heads. I think the "do not use" thing is an urban legend. If there was any potential of a problem, warning would be all over the packaging, we are a litigious society after all.

I could not find the Permatex product but I know that it too has copper in it and prolly ain't much different than plain old copper grease. Iffin the tech boys at Edelbrock say not to fret none then I won't.

302 coupe · Oct 19, 2004

remember that dissimilar metals in contact with each other will cause galvanic corrosion. Why not just put a drop of oil on the threads, or a little graphite lube? If I had to choose between anti-size products, I'd use the silver permatex stuff.

Max Power · Oct 19, 2004

I think the oil would burn away after a while.

Anti-seize is not just to prevent galling, it's also to prevent steel from welding itself to aluminum, as it is prone to do over time.

HistoricMustang · Oct 19, 2004

The silver stuff is the best but do use some lube and more important do not over torque!

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com/tech.html

jerry S · Oct 20, 2004

The final word

Larry R. at Edelbrock said copper grease was not a problem.

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