Spark plugs without a Torque wrench..

[old guy]

Here is a copy of something I posted some time ago. Hope it helps:

For those installing plugs without a torque wrench, let me be a little more specific: New plugs come with a "crush" washer that is designed to flatten out upon installation. If you tighten the (cold!) plugs slowly you can actually feel the washer as it flattens out. After you hand tighten the plugs, begin tuning the plug wrench slowly. The resistance will remain pretty much even until somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3 turns. At that point you will have completely crushed the washer and the plug will get noticeably tighter. That's where you stop.

If you remove the plugs and then reinstall them you will only need 1/8 to 1/4 turn max since the crush washer will already be flattened out.

Additional tip: I always use a high temp anti-seez compound on the plug threads. No it is not absolutely necessary, but it helps with the "feel" when installing the plugs and it sure as hell isn't going to hurt anything. I have installed literally thousands of plugs and never had any issues.

[drmeegge]

Here is a copy of something I posted some time ago. Hope it helps:

For those installing plugs without a torque wrench, let me be a little more specific: New plugs come with a "crush" washer that is designed to flatten out upon installation. If you tighten the (cold!) plugs slowly you can actually feel the washer as it flattens out. After you hand tighten the plugs, begin tuning the plug wrench slowly. The resistance will remain pretty much even until somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3 turns. At that point you will have completely crushed the washer and the plug will get noticeably tighter. That's where you stop.

If you remove the plugs and then reinstall them you will only need 1/8 to 1/4 turn max since the crush washer will already be flattened out.

Additional tip: I always use a high temp anti-seez compound on the plug threads. No it is not absolutely necessary, but it helps with the "feel" when installing the plugs and it sure as hell isn't going to hurt anything. I have installed literally thousands of plugs and never had any issues.

Perfect explaination!

[audipotential]

Here is a copy of something I posted some time ago. Hope it helps:

For those installing plugs without a torque wrench, let me be a little more specific: New plugs come with a "crush" washer that is designed to flatten out upon installation. If you tighten the (cold!) plugs slowly you can actually feel the washer as it flattens out. After you hand tighten the plugs, begin tuning the plug wrench slowly. The resistance will remain pretty much even until somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3 turns. At that point you will have completely crushed the washer and the plug will get noticeably tighter. That's where you stop.

If you remove the plugs and then reinstall them you will only need 1/8 to 1/4 turn max since the crush washer will already be flattened out.

Additional tip: I always use a high temp anti-seez compound on the plug threads. No it is not absolutely necessary, but it helps with the "feel" when installing the plugs and it sure as hell isn't going to hurt anything. I have installed literally thousands of plugs and never had any issues.

Thanks!!!