Do you torque your spark plugs ??

StangYellow · May 8, 2007

steveb24 said:
i just did mine today. I put anit-seize on them, and tightened the mofo's untill the socket wrench didnt turn any more. i used to torque them to "spec", untill I had one BLOW OUT! forget that, just tighten them down good so u dont have to dish out $200 every few months

thats not a good idea with aluminum heads. Next time, use copper never seize and torque it properly or just tight enough to get them on there. Tightening plugs into aluminum heads super tight will most likely result in you needing a new head next time you do your plugs (stripping the aluminum threads)

bdcardinal · May 8, 2007

Kilgore Trout said:
Were the heads Rev C? What was the manufacture date? How many threads were there? AFIK only Rev C heads have 9 threads and Rev C heads were first made in 2005.

I know this is a confusing issue and I know there is a lot of confusion about exactly when the number of threads was changed from 4 to 9. However, I would really like to nail down these facts and get this clearly defined...

not sure, as the heads got put on a car today. we dont keep big parts lying around for more than a day or 2.

Mustang5L5 · May 8, 2007

Is there a new plug number to use? One with more threads or something?

I have 41K on my engine and would like to change the plugs with factory OEM plugs. Just wondering if there was another plug to use?

screamin gt · May 9, 2007

my brother just told me today his girl was driving his and it shot a plug out. being that he just bought it from her brother, her brother had it fixed. I guess the guy that repaired it said 3 others were loose as well. I've never heard of this happening till earlier today, then I see this thread

Kilgore Trout · May 9, 2007

Mustang5L5 said:
Is there a new plug number to use? One with more threads or something?

I have 41K on my engine and would like to change the plugs with factory OEM plugs. Just wondering if there was another plug to use?

The recommended plug was changed. The old short thread one was the AWSF series and the new one is the long thread style AGSF series. AFIK all Autolites are still the old short thread design. I would suggest you use AGSF-32C. The only non-Motorcraft brand I would ever consider is NGK.

Mustang5L5 · May 9, 2007

Thanks, i'll have to write that number down and pick up a set of 8 soon

bdcardinal · May 9, 2007

if you go to the dealer, they might not be able to look it up. Ford changed all their spark plug numbers. the new number for 4.6 motors should be SP-432 or SP-477. im 90% certain the 432 is the platnium version and the 477 is the copper version. ford changed it to be easier, now that we all figured out how to use the old long number system.

4.6andSlicks · May 9, 2007

So what I'm gathering from this is:

1. If you don't torque your plugs, they fly

2. If you torque your plugs but lube them with never-seeze, they fly

3. If you torque them correctly with no lube consistently through the life of the motor, they stay in the hole. I can't find anyone that has proof that these 3 statements aren't true.

steveb24 · May 10, 2007

well i know from first hand expirience that #2 is true. I would do #3 or if u like anit seize just tighten them down really good. The whole point of anti seize is so they come out again, so tighten them down good, theyll come out no prob.

4.6andSlicks · May 10, 2007

4.6andSlicks said:
So what I'm gathering from this is:

1. If you don't torque your plugs, they fly

2. If you torque your plugs but lube them with never-seeze, they fly

3. If you torque them correctly with no lube consistently through the life of the motor, they stay in the hole. I can't find anyone that has proof that these 3 statements aren't true.

Is there anyone that thinks the above isn't true? It seems an easy fix for the plugs flyin' out of the heads. I'd like to get the word out. Don't use never-seeze of any kind on the plugs. Just change them once a year with the motor stone cold and you'll have no problems.

vidmaster · May 15, 2007

Kilgore Trout said:
The recommended plug was changed. The old short thread one was the AWSF series and the new one is the long thread style AGSF series. AFIK all Autolites are still the old short thread design. I would suggest you use AGSF-32C. The only non-Motorcraft brand I would ever consider is NGK.

The new plug is only for people with the new heads with the longer threads correct? I have 53k on my 01 GT and was going to change the plugs soon. Now I'm afraid to even take the plugs out for fear of them blowing out down the road

Kilgore Trout · May 15, 2007

vidmaster said:
The new plug is only for people with the new heads with the longer threads correct?

No the new plug with long threads is for all heads.

Feel free to debate whether the increased number of threads matter, I have seen many debates on the subject with various arguments...

The bottom line is that Ford changed the recommendation and I usually follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Do you torque your spark plugs ??

StangYellow

bdcardinal

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Mustang5L5

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screamin gt

Kilgore Trout

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Mustang5L5

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bdcardinal

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