just changed my spark plugs/wires today......

[jenren81]

.... should i have used anti-seize? i didn't. i did use the dielectric grease in the boots and on the end of the wire going into the coil. should i pull them out and put some on, or just deal with it later? i didn't have a torque wrench, but i tightened them down about as much as they were when i removed them. hm. hopefully it's ok?

it wasn't that bad, i have a SOHC sport with a body lift, i'm a girl, and i just wiggled into the wheel well. didn't have to remove the wheels or anything.

the driver's side plug on toward the front SUCKED!!! too much crap on that side. passenger side was cake.

after i started it up to test em out, had a bit of a shudder at idle, but took it for a drive and it seemed to go away. they plugs they gave me at oreilly's look different then the ones i pulled out, but i think they are newer??? they were motorcraft, i'll have to look at the box to get the number. they were definitely different though. i had the neg batt cable off, installed a MAC intake last week and new catback a few days ago, so hopefully i'm not messing with too much at once!

i'll post pics of the plugs later... the pass side ones looked fine i think, the drivers side ones were a bit worse for the wear, rounded off, etc.

 

[IZwack]

Yeah you should use anti-size. Example:

The driver's side exhaust manifold had to be removed on my SOHC about 4 years ago. I used anti-size on the studs and slapped them back on. Well forward to a month ago and the driver's side manifold came off w/o any problems. But on the driver's side (the side that has been on there since the vehicle was manufactured) I have about 4 broken studs sitting in the head waiting for some tender loving care.

So I would go back and put anti-size on each one just so its easier the next time around.

 

[jenren81]

yahh... that is what i was afraid of... shouldn't be so hard now that i got those stubborn ass wires off... i knew i was forgetting something!

 

[eXcali]

anti sieze on the spark plugs??? being there is constant pressure and vibration on them from the combustion chamber I wouldn't anti-sieze them to much a chance of getting them spit out and striping the threads in the head. Now bolts and such sure, but the plugs could turn out to be a bad idea in the long run in my mind.

 

[aldive]

anti sieze on the spark plugs??? being there is constant pressure and vibration on them from the combustion chamber I wouldn't anti-sieze them to much a chance of getting them spit out and striping the threads in the head.

Say what?

I always use anti sieze on every spark plug and have for years.

 

[eXcali]

hmm guess it's just me personally then. I just don't use it cause I've heard to many people popping a plug and stripping out the head. Heck even see ppl posting about it on here lately. Heck I've even been known to put a dab of locktite on the threads in the past and I never have trouble removing the plugs. I know it can cause trouble if people torque to specs when using it cuz 20 lbs with anti-sieze = 30lbs without, so people over torque, maybe that's what I am thinking of... Or maybe I should not be drinking and posting.

Here's some info from plug manufactures, I knew I read it somewhere before:

Autolite:
We do not recommend the use of any anti seize products for installing spark plugs. Anti seize compounds are typically composed of metallic, electrically conductive ingredients. If anti seize compounds come in contact with the core nose of the plugs, it can lead to a misfire condition. Anti seize compounds can also have a torque multiplying effect when installing plugs. This can lead to thread disstortion and thread galling resulting in cylinder head damage. Autolite spark plugs are nickel plated to resist the effects of corrosion and seizing. However, plug seizure is aggravated further when steel plugs are installed into aluminum cylinder heads for a long period of time.

 

[eXcali]

I did some reading up on the anti-sieze and it's 50/50 pro's and con's for using on aluminum heads.

As for jenren's setup, it sounds very nice! Wish I could get my wife into working on cars. At this point I have taught her what fluids go where and thats about as far is it will go.

 

[jenren81]

I did some reading up on the anti-sieze and it's 50/50 pro's and con's for using on aluminum heads.

As for jenren's setup, it sounds very nice! Wish I could get my wife into working on cars. At this point I have taught her what fluids go where and thats about as far is it will go.

i grew up on a farm watching my dad fix all the big tractors, combines, everybody's cars in at 20 mile radius..haha. so i'm comfortable around it, i used to help him out all of the time too. what made me decide to start doing basic maintenance on my own was the fact that any time i took the X somewhere to get oil changed, etc, each time they tried to rip me off somehow. that, and i don't really trust the work of some of the big chain lube guys. they changed my fuel filter out probably a year and a half ago, and my gas mileage dropped immediately after. so who knows! at least i can blame myself if something goes wrong.

so i do all my oil changes, could do brakes if i had to (but luckily i just "happen" to be making a trip home so then my dad can do it lol), he showed me how to change the tranny filter, diff fluids, etc.

that, and i haven't been out of college long enough to afford the luxury of having people do my car work..haha... i bet getting the spark plugs changed isn't cheap! and it wasn't hard at all, well since i had the body lift and i'm not that big so i can wiggle into those places. if the verdict is 50/50 on using the anti-sieze or not, i'll just leave it for now. there is no way they can be harder to get out then the way ford put them in! some of those suckers were STUCK!

 

[eXcali]

From what I've read up on it, some people swear by anti-sieze on their plugs. Others bring up the fact that it effects the heat dissipation which shortens the life of the plug. Then there is the torque issues which could cause someone to either strip their heads or drive the plug to far into the combustion chamber thus effecting your engines efficiency.
Now in regards to aluminum heads the benefits are it creates a lubricating barrier which keeps the different metals from siezing. But even this is debated because the anti-sieze breaks down over time and heat increases it's breakdown. So I wouldn't call it a "Must" but more of a habit or preference.

 

[Tbars4]

...Jen, take Izwack's advice and put the anti seize on...or better yet, ask your dad..I'm sure he can explain the cost and retrieval of replacing broke spark plugs.

...Just some reading for you while you think about the anti seize packs for $1 found on most auto parts counters...I would hate to see you do a write up like these..

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202349&highlight=mechanic+broke+spark+plug

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184795&highlight=mechanic+broke+spark+plug

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170037

 

[jenren81]

baahhhh... my knuckle is all scabbed up from knocking it on something up in there, now i might have to cut it open again..lol. i'll sleep on the idea and decide tomorrow i already have some sitting in my garage too.....bah. it doesn't rain very much here so i don't have to worry about them rusting in, eh? they lived the first 3 years of their lives in the salty rusty ass midwest, and they came out ok... so another day or two should be3 ok haha