Proper Heat Ranging of Spark Plugs, and ?s

[HangerHarley]

I have always wondered, across all cars..

1) Is it Possible to put a Spark plug that is "Too Big" in the Head, in Spark Plug socket? I have seen a Spark plug "Melted In" to a Cylinder once, and boy, was that in there. We had to change the Head. Heli-core (Heli-coil?) wouldnt get it. Too stripped, broke off and everything upon removal attempt. Seized to threads. It was that bad.

2) When Heat-ranging a Plug, is it the Plug is too Hot for the Engine, or the Engine is too hot for the Plug (Does the Engine melt the plug, or does the Plug make the cylinder or Piston burnt?)

3) Use Anti-Sieze, or No?

I did my car before i put it away, no anti-sieze. Two of the cylinders had just the little, tiniest bit of resistance (perhaps the plugs were minorly cross-threaded, it was very monor but noticeable when starting to thread down the Plug) so im sure al is well. No Grease.

What is the most common way a Plug can be Incorrectly heat-ranged?

And What is a "Pulse Plug?"

While we are at it.. What is MSD? And how many people have a MSD thing on their car, and do they like it?

 

[hounddog]

No such thing as a 'minor'cross threaded plug.It eaither is cross treaded or its not. A little anti seize should always be used.

 

[HangerHarley]

Originally Posted By: hounddog
No such thing as a 'minor'cross threaded plug.It eaither is cross treaded or its not.


Dang. So basically, if i had to turn it past some resistance, its 'Cross-threaded a little bit?'

I also had to tighten it down, i didnt make it tight enough because i saw bubbling from the base before i was able to call it a done job. Normal, if not put on tight enough?

 

[spasm3]

The hotter a spark plugs range is, the less it conducts heat through to the head and body of the spark plug. Too cold a plug and the plug carbons up.Too hot and it does not cool enough between combustion cycles and can preignite the fuel mixture causing pinging and detonation. Can't say i've ever seen a melted spark plug, but if you had enough detonation or pinging i guess its possible. I like to use antiseize just keep it on the threads and off the insulators or it will short out the plug. Also don't over tighten the plugs with antiseize , its easy to do. Msd is a brand of ignition components and is a Multible Spark Discharge unit that provides multible discharges per combustion cycle. I have never used one. They are more popular with carbed v-8 fords and chevys.

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: HangerHarley
Originally Posted By: hounddog
No such thing as a 'minor'cross threaded plug.It eaither is cross treaded or its not.


Dang. So basically, if i had to turn it past some resistance, its 'Cross-threaded a little bit?'

I also had to tighten it down, i didnt make it tight enough because i saw bubbling from the base before i was able to call it a done job. Normal, if not put on tight enough?


Bubbling at the base? now i have no idea what you are talking about

 

[beast3300]

Originally Posted By: HangerHarley
I have always wondered, across all cars..

1) Is it Possible to put a Spark plug that is "Too Big" in the Head, in Spark Plug socket? I have seen a Spark plug "Melted In" to a Cylinder once, and boy, was that in there. We had to change the Head. Heli-core (Heli-coil?) wouldnt get it. Too stripped, broke off and everything upon removal attempt. Seized to threads. It was that bad.

I'm sure, just like you can fit the square in the circle. Most of the time you look at the old part and new parts to determine if they are similar/exact.

Originally Posted By: HangerHarley
2) When Heat-ranging a Plug, is it the Plug is too Hot for the Engine, or the Engine is too hot for the Plug (Does the Engine melt the plug, or does the Plug make the cylinder or Piston burnt?)


Spark plugs don't create heat, combustion does.

Originally Posted By: HangerHarley
3) Use Anti-Seize, or No?

I did my car before i put it away, no anti-sieze. Two of the cylinders had just the little, tiniest bit of resistance (perhaps the plugs were minorly cross-threaded, it was very monor but noticeable when starting to thread down the Plug) so im sure al is well. No Grease.

Your gonna get yes and no until somebody's head explodes. In my experience it shouldn't be necessary to use anti-seize. Spark plugs should be changed in a reasonable interval.

Originally Posted By: HangerHarley
What is the most common way a Plug can be Incorrectly heat-ranged?

The parts jockey looks up the wrong spark plug.

Originally Posted By: HangerHarley
And What is a "Pulse Plug?"

snake oil

Originally Posted By: HangerHarley
While we are at it.. What is MSD? And how many people have a MSD thing on their car, and do they like it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSD_Ignition

 

[HangerHarley]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
Originally Posted By: HangerHarley
Originally Posted By: hounddog
No such thing as a 'minor'cross threaded plug.It eaither is cross treaded or its not.


Dang. So basically, if i had to turn it past some resistance, its 'Cross-threaded a little bit?'

I also had to tighten it down, i didnt make it tight enough because i saw bubbling from the base before i was able to call it a done job. Normal, if not put on tight enough?


Bubbling at the base? now i have no idea what you are talking about

From the Base of the Spark Plug threads, while the engine wa srunning, i saw Bubbling. I tightened the Spark Plug further, and got as close to it as i could, and the "Bubbling" from the base of the spark plug ceased.

I didnt tighten that one tight enough the first time. That is the one that is likely minorly cross-threaded, as twisting the Spark Plug in would indicate.

I know, how aluminum heads are softer. I did it, engine "Hot" or warm.

 

[spasm3]

Spark plugs should be removed from aluminum heads when they are stone cold.

 

[eljefino]

Did you get gasket seat spark plugs? They usually feel tight at about 10 ft lbs but then if you push a little harder they get another 1/4 turn before you then come to the realization to... stop now.

Sometimes old plugs are hard to get out from carbon on the threaded tip. If you dropped a grain of sand or dirt on the cyl head threads before sticking the new plug in, that could make the new one feel a little scratchy. I like to have the new plugs going in in the socket on an extention, then I wiggle the other end of the extention in an "X" to feel centered and not cross threaded. Then I spin the extention a few turns with my fingers if possible before putting the wrench on it.

 

[HangerHarley]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Did you get gasket seat spark plugs? They usually feel tight at about 10 ft lbs but then if you push a little harder they get another 1/4 turn before you then come to the realization to... stop now.

Sometimes old plugs are hard to get out from carbon on the threaded tip. If you dropped a grain of sand or dirt on the cyl head threads before sticking the new plug in, that could make the new one feel a little scratchy. I like to have the new plugs going in in the socket on an extention, then I wiggle the other end of the extention in an "X" to feel centered and not cross threaded. Then I spin the extention a few turns with my fingers if possible before putting the wrench on it.


Ok. Next time im doing it Stone Cold.

This time, the engine had "cooled" for a half hour upon removing the Plugs, and 2 hours upon putting them back in.

So, next time i know to do it cold. But is this OK?

I bought NGK V-powers for the car. Nice and basic. Took them out with Head hot enough to be burning my hands getting Spark Plug Boots off' putting them on, easy.

And only -one- piece of dirt, very very small, got in the cylinder. I Piston Soaked it for one hour with SeaFoam.

Did this 2 months ago.

And, particularly if my engine is running good.. Did i make these Spark Plugs put in in this fashion a permanent part of the Head, or am i OK?

"Seat" spark plugs. Hmmm. Not sure. i felt resistance on only two of the siz. Perhaps they were a little thread-off.

Anyone else ever have only one or two of the spark plugs give some resistance upon torquing it in?