Repair Spark plug threads

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Repair Spark plug threads
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Kekacs on Monday, June 18, 2012 - 09:43 am:

It appears that I have a leak around two of my spark plugs. Does anyone have a quick fix? I am using Champion X plugs and have cleaned the threads. Someone suggested using copper gasket sealer on the threads to try and help seal them.

Any input would be appreciated.

Dave

1925 Model T Touring


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Gruber- Spanaway, Wash. on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - 11:18 pm:

You could try wrapping aluminum foil around the threads.
Probably will make it seal.
If not just don't look at it.
It won't leak enough to hurt anything.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Stroud on Thursday, June 21, 2012 - 01:57 am:

A couple of wraps of Teflon tape worked for me. May take three or four. Dave


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Thursday, June 21, 2012 - 06:12 am:

I use a product called Nickel Eze, which is a nickel anti - seize product made specifically for spark plugs in aircraft. It is also sold under the product name Saftey Eze I think. You can also use KW Copper Coat, or Copper RTV.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Neil Kaminar on Friday, June 22, 2012 - 11:27 am:

I use Teflon tape, same as David.

Neil


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Todd on Friday, June 22, 2012 - 11:43 am:

I don't worry about it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Tomaso - Milton,WA on Friday, June 22, 2012 - 01:41 pm:

Do you have them tight ? They are pipe thread.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Friday, June 22, 2012 - 01:47 pm:

Not sure about aluminum foil but I know Teflon works. I'm guessing the brush-on stuff mentioned is OK too though I think most of that is for ease of removal as opposed to sealing.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Kekacs on Friday, June 22, 2012 - 02:07 pm:

Going to try the Teflon tape. I did not realize that it was rated for that much heat so didn't think of it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Friday, June 22, 2012 - 02:40 pm:

I learned that chaseing the threads is not always necessary when installing a different head or just cleaning it up when having the head off. If they look fairly clean and were fine before, just leave them alone. I cleaned the threads after a rebuild and it took a while before one of the plugs finally stopped a slow leak. It ran fine so I just let it go and it finally stopped.
Sometimes I do believe we clean up or rebuild parts on our our T's to well when they really dont need it.
This is true when rebuilding transmissions and getting the tolerances to close especially on triple gear clearence. My 2 cents worth.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Kekacs on Monday, July 02, 2012 - 01:04 pm:

Well I tried the Teflon tape and if worked somewhat. once I got over 27 Mph I started to hear a whistle, not as bad of one as before but definitely there. So got another question?

Has anyone ever tried putting a little bit of JB weld in the treads then re-tapping them? was wondering if that might work


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Monday, July 02, 2012 - 01:16 pm:

I haven't tried that, but I'll go out on a limb and guess that the answer is no.

I don't think anybody has asked this: Is the leak due to the holes, or the plugs? If the problem is worn out threads on the plugs, it's easy enough to replace them.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Monday, July 02, 2012 - 01:30 pm:

Whistleing? Good God I've seen them bubble with some water poured into the plug wells while it's running but whistleing? Nope. Try the water thing. See where it coming from. It might not be speed but warming up thats causing a crack to open up. Is it a steady noise? Any pulsations? And how did you find out they were leaking in the first place? Right now I'm not sure you're on the right track as far as this noise goes.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Schedler, Sacramento on Monday, July 02, 2012 - 01:47 pm:

I'm with the "don't worry about it" folks above. I bet ALL of the plugs leak a little. Chasing the threads will only make it worse. Will teflon tape do away with plug grounding? IMHO.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Monday, July 02, 2012 - 02:27 pm:

If its whistleing could it be from the Champion plugs themselves? Care must be taken when dissembling used 'good' X plugs when putting them back together. Were they taken apart and cleaned or are they new ones?
Sure they will last a long time but I have some that "look" good but really they are beyond redemption.
I have had some that the threads werent really sharp and looked like they werent turned true when they were made.
Just my 2 cents worth.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Neil Kaminar on Monday, July 02, 2012 - 05:08 pm:

Dave, try more tape. If that doesn't work, try a new head and new plugs, with a small amount of tape.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By keith g barrier on Monday, July 02, 2012 - 06:55 pm:

I use plain ol pipe dope, works great, KB


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Hjortnaes, Men Falls, WI on Tuesday, July 03, 2012 - 11:46 am:

The yellow teflon tape or it doesn't matter?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Kekacs on Tuesday, July 03, 2012 - 12:19 pm:

I ended up replacing the head and all is good.

They are new champion X plugs with sharp threads.
Cylinders 1 and 3 were bubbling and as the T picked up speed I would start to hear a whistling noise. I was going to play with the old head and try the JB weld/Re-Tap thing just out of curiosity. If I ruin the head it really doesn't matter at this point.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Claverie on Tuesday, July 03, 2012 - 12:41 pm:

If you've gone this far, why not JB weld in a set of inserts and this head can then use modern plugs? As a spare, of course!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary Tillstrom on Tuesday, July 03, 2012 - 01:24 pm:

The T spark plugs are pipe thread, they are tapered. When you put pipe together, you use pipe dope. Pipe threads were never intended to be assembled dry (bare). I have used permatex 2B and also aviation permatex to eliminate the leakage you are talking about.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ROGER OLIVER on Thursday, July 05, 2012 - 11:24 am:

THEY MAKE A PIPE REPAIR BY HELI-COIL CAN BE PURCHASED FROM MSCDIRECT.COM GOOD RELIABLE COMPANY I HAVE BOUGHT FROM THEM MANY TIMES.
ROGER


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