The Ford Barn

Mort · 08-09-2011, 06:02 PM

I changed the plugs on my A when I first got it and the #3 cyl was very tight going in, so tight I did not tighten in all the way (close) in fear of doing something bad. I am now getting some oil coming out around the plug and so plan to remove it, check it and reinstall. It is not stripped just tight. Is there any way to help the situation. Is it better to do it with a warm engine or cold? Put the plug in the freezer and insert it to a warm engine? Suggestions?
Thanks

Pilotdave · 08-09-2011, 06:08 PM

Did you try another plug in the #3 hole to determine whether it's the hole or the plug?

ford1 · 08-09-2011, 07:06 PM

get a thread chaser and run it in the spark plug hole, if you do chase the threads fill the flutes on the chaser with grease to help hold any metal shavings that may be dislogded, plugs should go all the way in with just your fingers

Mort · 08-09-2011, 08:07 PM

I thought about chasing the threads but was afraid of debris in the cylinder, the grease should solve that problem. I took a quick look at Brattons to see if they sell one and could not find it. Do you know what size chaser to use?
Thanks

Reds34 · 08-09-2011, 08:25 PM

7/8 -18

Red

Tom Wesenberg · 08-09-2011, 11:42 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

After chasing the threads, use antiseize on ALL plug threads. It's a must on aluminum heads, but it's a good idea for ALL heads.

Kurt in NJ · 08-09-2011, 11:42 PM

Have you tried screwing one of the old plugs back in??

Take a few steps back and look at the plugs --it will be easier to see if it is crooked and cross threaded.

hardtimes · 08-10-2011, 12:47 AM

Mort,
You say that you 'changed' the plugs. Did #3 plug (old plug)give you trouble when removing? If not, that should be a clue that you MAY have a defective NEW plug!
I'd try the old plug back into #3 as a test of thread condition now that new plug may have done damage. Always use antiseize grease when installing new or old plugs. This will improve consistent install (torque) effort.
BTW..install effort should consist of use of two fingers on wrench. This will ensure (most times) that you will never over torque/strip good head threads.

Dan Baron · 08-10-2011, 07:17 AM

All the other plugs were fine? To determine if it's the new plug, try installing the plug that was tight in # 1 piston. If it's tight there than it's the plug

Mort · 08-10-2011, 10:40 AM

All plugs were tight in that cylinder and loose in the others. I put in 3X plugs and the #3 hole was not nearly as tight but not able to screw in by hand like the others. I will chase the threads.
Thanks

08-09-2011, 06:02 PM	#1
Mort Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Torrington, CT Posts: 121	Tight plug I changed the plugs on my A when I first got it and the #3 cyl was very tight going in, so tight I did not tighten in all the way (close) in fear of doing something bad. I am now getting some oil coming out around the plug and so plan to remove it, check it and reinstall. It is not stripped just tight. Is there any way to help the situation. Is it better to do it with a warm engine or cold? Put the plug in the freezer and insert it to a warm engine? Suggestions? Thanks

08-09-2011, 06:08 PM	#2
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Re: Tight plug Did you try another plug in the #3 hole to determine whether it's the hole or the plug?

08-09-2011, 08:07 PM	#4
Mort Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Torrington, CT Posts: 121	Re: Tight plug I thought about chasing the threads but was afraid of debris in the cylinder, the grease should solve that problem. I took a quick look at Brattons to see if they sell one and could not find it. Do you know what size chaser to use? Thanks

08-09-2011, 08:25 PM	#5
Reds34 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Eastern, CT Posts: 527	Re: Tight plug 7/8 -18 Red

08-09-2011, 11:42 PM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Tight plug Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) After chasing the threads, use antiseize on ALL plug threads. It's a must on aluminum heads, but it's a good idea for ALL heads.

08-09-2011, 07:06 PM	#3
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	Re: Tight plug get a thread chaser and run it in the spark plug hole, if you do chase the threads fill the flutes on the chaser with grease to help hold any metal shavings that may be dislogded, plugs should go all the way in with just your fingers

08-09-2011, 11:42 PM	#7
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Tight plug Have you tried screwing one of the old plugs back in?? Take a few steps back and look at the plugs --it will be easier to see if it is crooked and cross threaded.

08-10-2011, 12:47 AM	#8
hardtimes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South California Posts: 6,188	Re: Tight plug Mort, You say that you 'changed' the plugs. Did #3 plug (old plug)give you trouble when removing? If not, that should be a clue that you MAY have a defective NEW plug! I'd try the old plug back into #3 as a test of thread condition now that new plug may have done damage. Always use antiseize grease when installing new or old plugs. This will improve consistent install (torque) effort. BTW..install effort should consist of use of two fingers on wrench. This will ensure (most times) that you will never over torque/strip good head threads.

08-10-2011, 07:17 AM	#9
Dan Baron Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Seekonk MA Posts: 228	Re: Tight plug All the other plugs were fine? To determine if it's the new plug, try installing the plug that was tight in # 1 piston. If it's tight there than it's the plug __________________ All I want, is a little bit more, than I'm ever going to get!

08-10-2011, 10:40 AM	#10
Mort Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Torrington, CT Posts: 121	Re: Tight plug All plugs were tight in that cylinder and loose in the others. I put in 3X plugs and the #3 hole was not nearly as tight but not able to screw in by hand like the others. I will chase the threads. Thanks