Author |
Message |
Svh
| Posted on Friday, August 26, 2011 - 07:44 pm: |
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Getting ready to swap out my plugs and I am wondering if it would be better to attempt with the engine warm or cool? Or does it not matter? Thanks |
Badrap
| Posted on Friday, August 26, 2011 - 07:53 pm: |
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I would do it cool so there is less chance of stripping the threads in the head. |
Teeps
| Posted on Friday, August 26, 2011 - 08:01 pm: |
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Good question. If I remember correctly I started the teardown right after a ride. By the time I got to the plugs the engine was some where between operating and ambient temperature. Either way TAKE YOUR TIME, and be sure to start and run the plugs all the down by hand. Also be sure to use antiseize on the threads. |
Svh
| Posted on Friday, August 26, 2011 - 08:56 pm: |
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Those precautions I do remember but I wasn't sure if the temp would make a difference one way or the other. |
Panhead_dan
| Posted on Friday, August 26, 2011 - 09:03 pm: |
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Never expose your valves to cool air when they are hot. I've always done the plugs on a cold engine in every engine I worked on. |
Od_cleaver
| Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2011 - 10:28 am: |
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If you can not rest your bare hand comfortable on any part of the engine including the exhaust manifold, it is too hot (or if you work in an unheated garage in MN winter - too cold). It seems to be common knowledge among web experts that if you have aluminum heads, change the plugs cold. Since this is in line with my bare hand test, that is what I do. |
Nose2wind
| Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2011 - 12:42 pm: |
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Caution: It is very easy to get the rear plug crossthreaded! I know from experience. The Manual suggest a wobble drive is needed. I didn't believe them... they were right. You can get a whole set a harbor freight cheap! Some suggest threading the rear in using a piece of fuel hose over the plug. Be careful on that rear plug |
Ourdee
| Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2011 - 02:13 pm: |
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Use the fuel hose. If is takes more than that, something ain't right. |
88b
| Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2011 - 03:01 am: |
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Never expose your valves to cool air when they are hot I must have missed something, does the motor have some kind of heater to warm up the intake charge of fresh air and petrol on every induction stroke ? |
7873jake
| Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2011 - 07:12 pm: |
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Get yourself a spark plug wire removal tool, if you can. Worth the few bucks. Lisle tool (#51250) sells one that could be used as a blueprint for someone with a creative mind and bit of heavy ga. wire stock hanging around. |
Nobuell
| Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2011 - 07:50 pm: |
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Sears also makes a nice spark plug tool. Should be able to get on at you local Sears. |