| Author | Message | ||
     Ronmold |
How do you torque the front plug? | ||
| Svh |
I wouldn't. Heads are stripping left and right now... just kidding there are only 2 cases I have read on here Dr_Greg and Chrisrogers but I would hate it to happen to mine. | ||
| Hmartin |
Speaking of those posts, I've been a bit scared to know what I've done to my cylinder heads, too. 12 to 18 ft. lbs. is not much. I've changed many, many spark plugs in aluminum heads over the years, though, and I've always done 1/4 turn max. I've never had any problems, thank God, but I admit I've never measured it except by feel; I figure I'm applying torque to my socket wrench at 7 or 8 in. from the center, and right before 1/4 turn, it begins to feel like more than 20 to 25 lb. of force. I'm better at estimating pulling force than I am pushing force, but I've never bought a small enough torque wrench to know for sure, and now like you, I'm worried. Can I turn the question around on you? How do you do it? (Message edited by hmartin on April 30, 2009) | ||
| Hangetsu |
Just turn until you feel the washer squish - no further. | ||
| Ronmold |
I tried to memorize the "feel" of the torque wrench I used on the rear at the same distance out that my open-end wrench is at the end, and tried to duplicate that feel. Very crude! | ||
| Svh |
I turn until finger tight then a 1/4 turn. Have used it for 20 years since my grandpa taught me it. Not saying it is correct but never have stripped a head or had one back out. | ||
| Rwven |
And don't forget the anti-sieze | ||
| Seanp |
Add me to the stripped head list. Be careful when you put the plug in - it's a hell of a surprise when it comes out violently, mid-ride... | ||
| Hmartin |
Do you recall how far it turned it after you seated it? Was it more than 1/6th, or one full twist of an open wrench? | ||
| Ronmold |
about 2/6ths | ||
| Mnrider |
My 2 cents Most of the cases I've seen of spark plugs coming out is from the spark plug not being tight enough. You have to do more than just 1/4 turn past contacting the gasket. All my years of installing spark plugs I've had 2 loosen up and they were both on snowmobiles were I didn't want to over tighten them. The last 20 years or so I make sure the gasket is smashed and the plug is tight and I've never had 1 come out and I install spark plugs in alum. heads almost every day,so tighten that plug,you won't strip it | ||
| Bienhoabob |
I couldn't find it in the Buell manual, but my sportster manual says:"If a torque wrench is not available, tighten it 1/4 turn after the gasket contacts the head." |
