Spark Plug Torque

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
SurveyKing
Posts: 449
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 8:36 am
First Name: Daniel
Last Name: Snell
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 Touring, 1924 Touring, 1925 Roadster Pickup, 1921 Touring
Location: Boerne, Texas
MTFCA Number: 31662
MTFCI Number: 23677
Board Member Since: 2014

Spark Plug Torque

Post by SurveyKing » Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:17 pm

Does anyone recommend torqueing the spark plugs and if so to what?

User avatar

RichardG
Posts: 353
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:29 pm
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Grzegorowicz
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1921 T pickup
Location: Hartland VT

Re: Spark Plug Torque

Post by RichardG » Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:55 pm

your talking a 100 year old engine, back then there torque wrench was the elbow, take your plug wrench that came with the car snug the plug up tight, then give it one more little tug, your dealing with pipe thread with a taper,that should be good enough, the t plug wrench is the best tool for this job.the other end will remove the rim nuts too.

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Spark Plug Torque

Post by Steve Jelf » Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:41 am

What Richard said. Use the #2335 wrench and turn until they feel tight.

IMG_0268 copy 2.JPG
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


Joe Reid
Posts: 248
Joined: Thu May 23, 2019 12:21 pm
First Name: Joe
Last Name: Reid
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Coupe, 1920 Roadster, 1923 Touring, 1924 Roadster, 1913 Racer
Location: Almond WI
MTFCA Number: 52067
MTFCI Number: 22088
Board Member Since: 2007

Re: Spark Plug Torque

Post by Joe Reid » Thu Jul 09, 2020 2:08 am

It is a pipe thread, tighten so they don’t leak, if they are to loose fuel will bubble up.


D Stroud
Posts: 1015
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:45 am
First Name: David
Last Name: Stroud
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Coupe
Location: Mound City, MO 64470
Board Member Since: 2011

Re: Spark Plug Torque

Post by D Stroud » Thu Jul 09, 2020 5:39 am

If you still have a leak, try useing some Antisieze on the threads, it does make a difference. Don't tighten too much though, as was said, the threads are tapered pipe threads. Dave
1925 mostly original coupe.


Allan
Posts: 5201
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
First Name: Allan
Last Name: Bennett
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
Location: Gawler, Australia

Re: Spark Plug Torque

Post by Allan » Thu Jul 09, 2020 6:52 am

Even if you get a bubble in oil/fuel around the base of the plug, it really is not worth fritzing over. Just get on with driving fun.

Allan from down under.


John kuehn
Posts: 3907
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Kuehn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
Location: Texas
MTFCA Number: 28924

Re: Spark Plug Torque

Post by John kuehn » Thu Jul 09, 2020 8:57 am

Good and snug with Henry’s spark plug wrench. No need to use a 150.00 torque wrench. I have never used a torque wrench on any part of a T engine. Prehaps the most snug or tightest
part of a T engine I ever encountered are the mains. Most that I have torn down we’re really tightened down. Same goes when putting them back together.


John Codman
Posts: 1182
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:27 am
First Name: John
Last Name: Codman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Youring
Location: Naples, FL 34120

Re: Spark Plug Torque

Post by John Codman » Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:37 am

Sock 'em down until they snap, then back them off 1/2 turn! :D

User avatar

Susanne
Posts: 1045
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:06 pm
First Name: Susanne
Last Name: Rohner
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Late '15 touring, "Angel".
Location: Valfabbrica, (central) Italy
MTFCA Number: 464
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999
Contact:

Re: Spark Plug Torque

Post by Susanne » Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:51 am

I did a couple head bolts like that - strongarm it with the appropriate Ford tool until you hear the ping, turn 1/4 turn CCW to remove the top of the bolt, and if you're REALLY lucky apply vise grips once you remove the head... Otherwise you drill the center of the bolt, insert an EZ-Out (perhaps the most inappropriately named tool ever), twist IT until it goes "ping" trying to remove your last oops, and trailer the whole sad mess to the machine shop to have them arc out the mess you made with their fancy-schmancy equipment... hand over your beer fund to their beer fund, and go away wiser.

Don't ask how I know. After that, I run a tap through the threads, clean the swarf out of the hole, do it again, THEN proceed with caution using somewhat inauthentic but more accurate than the right forearm tools...

User avatar

GrandpaFord
Posts: 146
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:46 pm
First Name: Neil
Last Name: Kaminar
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring
Location: Mebane, North Carolina
MTFCI Number: 22425

Re: Spark Plug Torque

Post by GrandpaFord » Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:52 pm

I have had good luck using Teflon tape to seal the plugs. I just snug them up. The Teflon tape means that they don't freeze in the holes, don't leak, and are easy to remove.

Neil

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic