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.

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....

^ +1, well said.

Thanks for the info, OP!

This place is a wealth of info......everybody is supposed to know that, right? Probably not! Good post, thanks.......:thumbs:

I'll give you a million dollars if you can torque a spark plug to 11 ft-lbs with your fingers. :rofl: A human might be lucky to reach 1 ft-lb by hand.

I always use a torque wrench and some anti-seize when working with spark plugs. :thumbs:

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 ?

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... :-(

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? ..... :rofl: 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.

GOod info.

regardless of the car, on an aluminum head I tq plugs to 18# and always use anti-seeze. NEver had a problem :cheers: If you want to get fancy you can always index them...

Sorry- I guess my reference to "finger tight" may have been taken a bit too literally. While I do have an extremely strong grip:cheers:, 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 .

Yes, I agree - 11 ft-lbs isn't very tight in a relative context, but way more than even Chuck Norris could do with his actual fingers. :lol: :D

Look into getting a 1/4" drive torque wrench that has a low in-lb range for fasteners you want to torque in the less than 10 ft-lb or so range. Some 3/8" drive torque wrenches go down to 5 ft-lbs and are relatively accurate. Better than nothing IMO.

Just use inch-pounds, guys. Geez, 11 ft. lbs. is 132 inch lbs. Get a 3/8" inch-pound torque wrench and do the math. :thumbs:

Harbor freight should have what you need !!

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.

For a tight squeeze, I like to use a plug socket that has a hex end on it. Just use a ratcheting box on it and you're golden. :cheers: