Texas_96_Z

So i'm puttin along then all of a sudden surge, pop, bang the SES light flashes and then stays on. So I think "great I just roasted a plug wire". So I get the car parked and don't see or smell any kind of burning wire. So I'm feeling around and...Whoa that rear passenger plug is about to fall out! Question is, I'm I supposed to retighten the plugs like I did my header bolts? And how tight, I can't get a torque wrench in that tight space. A 1/2 turn past snug?

LT1_383

Probably just forgot to snug that one up. Go over all the plugs again and see if they loosen up again in a few weeks or so.

95LT1conv

hopefully you didnt blow the threads out with it.

Colin

If he did there should be aluminum shavings in the plug's threads. Then again, it sounds like he just tightened it back in without checking. Bad idea. Plugs don't just "back out." A half turn past snug is WAY TOO TIGHT, bro. Use copious amounts of anti-sieze. Snug it up finger tight with the spark plug socket on the plug. Put your ratchet on and turn the plug with 2 fingers. When it feels tight give it a couple of quick raps with your hand and it should be tight enough.

They don't need to be really tight. You 'can' overtighten the threads and when that happens you actually distort the threads.

When I put the plugs in my Vega I think I went about 1/8th turn past snug.

Later,
Colin

rhummer37

The Autolite website said the 106's should be torqued to 15 ft-lbs, if that helps you.

2000GTP

I would check the integrity of the threads on the plug itself and make sure it threads nicely into the hole. There is no easy way of getting a torque wrench in that confined of a space, I just snug mine up and then tighten them with two fingers on the ratchet so they are tight, but not cranked in there.

mrmint69

I have been sure the plugs were in all the way and went to tighten them a 1/8 of a turn. Then it kind of broke loose and i was able to turn it some more by hand. I think over time you get some build up that makes it feel tight when it is just sticking lightly. I did go back a week later and double checked them all again. My wife's car is really hard to tell when you get them in all the way.

Colin

Hence the reason you should use anti-seize. It will help prevent your problem of galled threads. Just pray to God that those burrs don't pull the rest of your threads out next time you pull the plugs....

OBE1 95Z28

A small amount is all you need.

Colin

Well, yeah..I didn't mean dunk them in the tub

Hood_Lum

Had the same problem once.
A plug "backed out", screwed it back in, 'backed out' a second time, threads were shot.
Had a friend tap the hole and put in a sleeve. Ran real good afterwards.

Kevin Blown 95 TA

The extra 1/2 turn after snug is only for the plugs with a gasket seal (and only the first time they are tightened), the tapered seat plugs get 1/8 turn or less after snug if you can't torque it. It IS important to tighten them properly because that is how the heat is transfered to the head, so a loose plug can cause problems by getting too hot, and don't forget, the ground circuit for the ignition's 20,000+ volts is going through there as well. As mentioned, a light coat of anti-sieze keeps the threads like new and makes it a LOT easier to get them in & out. Too bad torquing them is almost impossible.

Texas_96_Z

Well this is the first time the plugs were changed so I don't think there would be any thread issues. I guess I won't know until I drive it some more. I hope that this will solve the ticking sound that has developed after the header install / tune up.