Spark Plug Torque, Anti-Seize, Thread Chasing, Rolled Vs Cut Threads (Page 1 of 3)

Yeah But I See Problem,s with your sources ! One I would like too know the source of info and 2 from what year,s were sources obtained ? Are these with German Head,s made In Germany ? Or Are we Talkin Brazillian Heads ? Then theres aftermarket heads ? Just cause Volkswagen reccomends anti seize on a single port head plugg in 1970 not neccessarily true for a head made in Brazil in 1980 ! But Good Info Non The less ! Jobb Well Done ! As For me what has worked many year,s is Use Bosch pluggs only ! Never pull a Plugg on Hot Motor ! And I use no anti seize . << Might change this Practice ! But as with all thing,s ! Loctite , Teflon Tape Etc . Ive seen there uses and how there used change over the year,s ? What I do ! Loctite << 3 Point system at top of threads ! Teflon tape << wrapp top half of threads on a taper ! So with spark pluggs and anti seize << Might be truth is some where in the Middle ! As Too Runnin Champion,s in Bugg Motors or your Dirt Bike ? Can tell ya this is a Big No! No ! for certain ! << That,s experience talkin ! As Too Chaseing threads << Only when neccessary ! <, definately not something ya wanna do every time as a rule ! If Plugg wont turn in by hand fairly easy ? < Might wanna chase it with lil carb cleaner sprayed on chaser tool ! my .02 cents worth ! Sean

FWIW,  I use my 30+ year old Craftsman click-stop wrench set at 20 ft-lb. (about an 18 inch handle) at every plug change (plus antiseize)....BUT! I am doing this on a 40 horse engine with plenty of side room in the engine bay. I chase the threads about every other time and only R&R plugs on a dead cold engine. Of course if an aluminum head's plug holes have been helicoiled or time-serted, another whole discussion is needed.

Clancy

I though the lack of heat transfer with anti-seize was BS too. Anyways if the treads get all messed up, you will for sure have poor heat transfer to the plugs.

Deron.

You can use plugs with cut threads all you want, but I would never let them near one of my heads, I just have too much invested in them to go against simple logic.  Same goes for thread chasers.  If the plug turns in freely by hand, don't mess with the threads.  You'll either remove or move the material, either is bad if done regularly when it's not even needed.  I'm glad to see this all works well for you Scott, but that is not advice you want to be giving to anyone.   
Too many people go crazy with anti-seize.  A very small dab on your finger, wiped across the threads is all it takes.  It will distribute itself around the circumference as you turn the plug in.  --Ryan

For what it's worth, the best plug I've tried to date is NGK.  There's a good reason why Porsche dropped Bosch and switched to them.  --Ryan

I'm sure NGK says alot of things, I'm other manufacturers say alot of thing.  I just like their plugs, I don't like everything they say.  As far as what the Bentley manual says, I seriously doubt that's a real recommendation, more like a cross reference.  Notice that Bosch and Beru plugs both use rolled threads, I'm willing to bet that Champion was listed simply because they are/were a common American name that people were more familiar with.
Like I said, use what makes you happy, but there are better choices to be made.  --Ryan

You haven't turned to many screws in your life have you?  There is a very real difference between cut and rolled threads.  What I've witnessed in other applications is enough to see it's a bad idea.  Why would I wish to risk my heads when I've seen evidence to the contrary?  --Ryan