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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

What to use on plugs in aluminum heads?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ace305
  • Start date Start date Mar 29, 2018
A

ace305

Active Member
Dec 28, 2011
171
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Mar 29, 2018
#1
  • Mar 29, 2018
  • #1
any one know the correct answer? What does ford do?
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
514
204
Houston Texas
Mar 30, 2018
#2
  • Mar 30, 2018
  • #2
A small amount of Nickle based anti seize on the threads only (not on the seat). Perhaps almost as importantly to torque to the factory recommended value. Not too much. Not too little.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...201/2002/lincoln/town-car?q=nickle+based+anti

Copper based anti seize works well also. Again a small amount on the threads. Never on the seat. Torque to factory recommended spec.

As for what Ford does. Often the answer is nothing from the factory. Takes too much time.
 

Neuron

5 Year Member
Nov 6, 2016
859
192
93
Apr 1, 2018
#3
  • Apr 1, 2018
  • #3
So that means Ford did not take into account anti-seize on the threads for the torque value, but dry threads instead. Its a low value so shouldn't matter much I guess, certainly does on higher torque values with dry, oiled and anti-seized threads. I usually only do the bottom half to 2/3 thirds because as you thread it in it travels up the plug threads if that makes sense.
 

Mattstang04

15 Year Member
Sep 15, 2006
1,152
144
104
St. Louis, MO
Apr 4, 2018
#4
  • Apr 4, 2018
  • #4
I just put them in dry and torque them to 13 lbs. Hasn't stripped a plug. Never had one fire out on me either.
 
A

ace305

Active Member
Dec 28, 2011
171
17
28
Apr 4, 2018
#5
  • Apr 4, 2018
  • #5
ok thanks. I have the heads with the short threads. I am very very nervous. Why do they blow out?
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
514
204
Houston Texas
Apr 4, 2018
#6
  • Apr 4, 2018
  • #6
ace305 said:
Why do they blow out?
Click to expand...
  • over torqued
  • under torqued
  • never checked after install and backed out (happened to me).
  • Motor over heating.
Or just plain bad luck.

However you can really improve your odds by maintaining the correct torque with a small amount of anti-seize.
 
Last edited: Apr 5, 2018
A

ace305

Active Member
Dec 28, 2011
171
17
28
Apr 4, 2018
#7
  • Apr 4, 2018
  • #7
ok. I am just gonna torque correctly with nothing on it
 
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