New plugs after a piston soak

[Jonas]

Quick question, should I install new plugs right after I clear all the liquid out, or run the old plugs for a while first? Any risk of fouling the new plugs?

 

[oggb]

I'd run it with the old plugs at least until the smoke clears up. Every vehicle I've ever piston soaked has run like absolute garbage immediately after. Figure I'll let the old plugs get crudded up.

It probably doesn't matter either way. If I were pressed for time I'd throw in the new plugs and run 'em.

 

[Jonas]

I'd run it with the old plugs at least until the smoke clears up. Every vehicle I've ever piston soaked has run like absolute garbage immediately after. Figure I'll let the old plugs get crudded up.

It probably doesn't matter either way. If I were pressed for time I'd throw in the new plugs and run 'em.

My only thing is the old plugs don't want to go back in. They're not in terrible shape, but I can't get them all the way in with my fingers and I don't want to strip anything.

 

[oggb]

I can't get them all the way in with my fingers

Do the new plugs thread in fine?

Make sure there's not any gunk on the threads of the old plugs and/or any messed up threads. Use a brass or plastic bristled brush or like... a paper towel and some brake cleaner. Maybe put just a drop or two of oil or just the slightest little hint of anti-seize on the threads of the plugs to help them go. They might feel abnormally difficult to thread in because whatever you used to do the piston soak has stripped any kind of anti-seize/oil/etc. out of the spark plug holes. I don't put anti-seize on plugs but a whooooole lotta people do. When the anti-seize gets old it gets stiff/pasty/gummy and it can feel like you're cross threading the plug.

If you can get the new plugs in but not the old, I'd toss the old ones. I fear stripped spark plug threads more than death.