[Z06] Spark Plug Torque Specs are 11 foot pounds
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Spark Plug Torque Specs are 11 foot pounds
I was perusing thru Volume 2 of my GM Service Manuals (# 6-1031) and confirmed the proper torque for installing new spark plugs 11 Lb. Ft.
Guys that ain't much - for me it's finger tight.
Just thoughts I'd pass this along - hopefully to alert overzealous backyard mechanics. The heads are aluminum.
Guys that ain't much - for me it's finger tight.
Just thoughts I'd pass this along - hopefully to alert overzealous backyard mechanics. The heads are aluminum.
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Evan Sanza (01-02-2022)
#2
Melting Slicks
I'm a long time Saab mechanic and have been dealing with aluminum heads for over 30 years.
Yes, the correct torque doesn't feel like enough. Until you develop a feel you should use a torque wrench - and I believe in a small dap of well placed anti-sieze compound....
Yes, the correct torque doesn't feel like enough. Until you develop a feel you should use a torque wrench - and I believe in a small dap of well placed anti-sieze compound....
#4
Safety Car
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
This place is a wealth of info......everybody is supposed to know that, right? Probably not! Good post, thanks.......
#5
Le Mans Master
Just thoughts I'd pass this along - hopefully to alert overzealous backyard mechanics. The heads are aluminum.
#6
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
You must be kidding - I can easily turn 11 ft lb. with my fingers/hand.
Are you really serious ? This is very low torque - and have been told by guys with Ford GT 40's and Ferraris to only tighten spark plugs finger tight ( albeit with a strong twist). I have followed this advice for many years and on several cars.
I prefer to use torque wrenches and agree with you on that - But most torque wrenches aren't accurate to this low level. Can you recommend a good torque wrench for this ?
Last edited by NatB; 10-25-2009 at 10:57 PM.
#7
Racer
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/to...ype=T&cat=2108
I like the fixed head stuff for things not in a car, but if I remember right, their 5-75ft/lb (TRB75F) should be enough for almost anything engine related. Only problem is that they arent real cheap... :-(
I like the fixed head stuff for things not in a car, but if I remember right, their 5-75ft/lb (TRB75F) should be enough for almost anything engine related. Only problem is that they arent real cheap... :-(
#8
Le Mans Master
So you think you can actually torque a spark plug to 11 ft-lbs by grabbing the spark plug hex with your fingers and twisting it with your hand? ..... No way.
Only tighten plugs "finger tight" ... bad idea IMO, I'd NEVER do that. So why not just torque your oil drain plug finger tight? ... it's just a plug, like a spark plug is. GM calls out 18 ft-lbs for that. I've seen spark plugs come loose from under torquing - not a good thing.
Yeah, I'm serious. 11 ft-lbs is impossible to do by hand (without tools, and just your fingers) ... but is "relatively low" torque to do with tools.
Buy a torque wrench that has a lower range. Don't use the same torque wrench you use to torque the wheel lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs to also do your spark plugs.
Yeah, I'm serious. 11 ft-lbs is impossible to do by hand (without tools, and just your fingers) ... but is "relatively low" torque to do with tools.
Buy a torque wrench that has a lower range. Don't use the same torque wrench you use to torque the wheel lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs to also do your spark plugs.
Last edited by ZeeOSix; 10-26-2009 at 03:06 AM.
#10
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Sorry- I guess my reference to "finger tight" may have been taken a bit too literally. While I do have an extremely strong grip, I was really trying to stress not to go nuts in using a long handled racket. I actually use a racket and grab the end that's over the socket - so as not to amplify the leverage. That is what I mean't by finger tight - Eleven foot pounds is snug and not tight.
As for my question on torque wrenches- I say it is not easy to find an accurate torque wrench that measures down to 11 foot pound ( at least in most DIY home garages). Yes you can buy one - but again, the accuracy is not great unless you spend a lot of money. I have done this enough time to have a good feel for 11 foot pounds - it is very little.
Anyhow- hope my original post helped .
As for my question on torque wrenches- I say it is not easy to find an accurate torque wrench that measures down to 11 foot pound ( at least in most DIY home garages). Yes you can buy one - but again, the accuracy is not great unless you spend a lot of money. I have done this enough time to have a good feel for 11 foot pounds - it is very little.
Anyhow- hope my original post helped .
Last edited by NatB; 10-26-2009 at 03:04 PM.
#11
Le Mans Master
Sorry- I guess my reference to "finger tight" may have been taken a bit too literally. While I do have an extremely strong grip, I was really trying to stress not to go nuts in using a long handled racket. I actually use a racket and grab the end that's over the socket - so as not to amplify the leverage. That is what I mean't by finger tight - Eleven foot pounds is snug and not tight.
As for my question on torque wrenches- I say it is not easy to find an accurate torque wrench that measures down to 11 foot pound ( at least in most DIY home garages). Yes you can buy one - but again, the accuracy is not great unless you spend a lot of money. I have done this enough time to have a good feel for 11 foot pounds - it is very little.
Anyhow- hope my original post helped .
Anyhow- hope my original post helped .
#14
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
For that pesky Plug #7 - Do you know whether a 1/4" Spark Plug Socket is made and where to buy ? That tight spot might be easier with a short swivel 1/4" racket and socket.
I looked at several places this past wek-end and could ony fined 38" and 1/2" drive sockets.
I could always squeeze a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter on the racket.
I looked at several places this past wek-end and could ony fined 38" and 1/2" drive sockets.
I could always squeeze a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter on the racket.
#15
Drifting
For that pesky Plug #7 - Do you know whether a 1/4" Spark Plug Socket is made and where to buy ? That tight spot might be easier with a short swivel 1/4" racket and socket.
I looked at several places this past wek-end and could ony fined 38" and 1/2" drive sockets.
I could always squeeze a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter on the racket.
I looked at several places this past wek-end and could ony fined 38" and 1/2" drive sockets.
I could always squeeze a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter on the racket.