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
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.
A couple of wraps of Teflon tape worked for me. May take three or four. Dave
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.
I use Teflon tape, same as David.
Neil
I don't worry about it.
Do you have them tight ? They are pipe thread.
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.
Going to try the Teflon tape. I did not realize that it was rated for that much heat so didn't think of it.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dave, try more tape. If that doesn't work, try a new head and new plugs, with a small amount of tape.
I use plain ol pipe dope, works great, KB
The yellow teflon tape or it doesn't matter?
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.
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!
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.
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