Leaking spark plug thread

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Leaking spark plug thread
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert E.(Bob) Blackbourn. Gautier, MS. on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 07:55 pm:

I just can not get my #1 plug to seal. It is original pipe thread. I'm afraid to tighten it any more for fear of busting sumpin. Like maybe my knuckles!

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Christopher Lang - Brentwood Bay, BC on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 08:00 pm:

Pipe-dope.

Tin foil.

Clean the head with a greased tap, but don't go in too-far!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert E.(Bob) Blackbourn. Gautier, MS. on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 08:07 pm:

I thought pipe dope would not like the heat, but may be worth a try. Didn't even think about foil, but that sounds good. May try one or both before the tap.

Thanks,
Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Voss on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 08:10 pm:

I use teflon tape with no problem.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert E.(Bob) Blackbourn. Gautier, MS. on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 08:24 pm:

Woo hoo, tinfoil worked

Thanks again,
Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Christopher Lang - Brentwood Bay, BC on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 08:29 pm:

Excellent. It's a rare thing indeed when I can help someone, instead of asking for help!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary H. White, Sheridan, MI on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 08:57 pm:

Check the threads on your plugs. Some do not have sharp edges and the flat spot allows leakage. Like mine. I use teflon tape.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By les schubert on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 09:06 pm:

OK
I just have to comment; Exactly how much compression do you think you lose through these "leaking" threads? Not nearly enough to worry about!! The leakage past the piston rings is way way more. Of course you can't see it!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Christopher Lang - Brentwood Bay, BC on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 09:12 pm:

Ahh, the only reason I worried about it, was when I had the old bus parked out in the rain. The depressions where the plugs go, would fill with water once I had the plugs sealed up.

I don't think the power loss would even be measurable! Perhaps NASA could measure it though....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By les schubert on Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 10:49 am:

Christopher
Yes the only valid reason.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 12:12 pm:

It is not the compression leakage and loss of power that presents the problem, it is the unburnt fuel and oil mixture which bubbles up and eventually gets everything dirty. I use aluminum foil. It works well. Another thing I noticed is that the plugs can be tight when cold and then loosen up as the engine warms up. Tighten again when it is tight and it is usually good thereafter. If you have an aluminum head, be careful not to overtighten or you could strip the threads.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Willie K Cordes on Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 12:51 pm:

If you use Gary's suggestion of using teflon, use very little of it as teflon is an excellent "Insulator" and you might be removing the ground that the plug threads provide.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert E.(Bob) Blackbourn. Gautier, MS. on Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 01:50 pm:

My concern was the same as Norman's. One onlooker advised me it was about to boil over!
If the sealing creates too much compression I'll just switch to premium gas:-)

Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 01:50 pm:

It's high voltage, so the small extra gap from teflon tape is usually not a problem. In fact some accessories has been sold to increase the spark intensity - they're nothing but extra gaps, pushing the coil to deliver higher voltage: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/173289.html?1291681941

I've seen words of warning though: Old Model T coils doesn't like to be pushed into delivering too high a voltage, they may burn new patches for the spark internally


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary H. White, Sheridan, MI on Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 02:58 pm:

When using teflon tape, if you remove a plug later you will see several places where the tape is torn or worn through during installation. This provides adequate grounding. If you doubt it, check it out with an ohm meter.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Philpott on Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 06:22 pm:

I use anti-seize, it's made from a graphite base and is recommended by many. I use it on any bolt that goes into the block, heads or manifolds. You'll appreciate it if you ever have to take the bolts and plugs out again.


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