Leaks Between Spark Plugs & Head

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David Tipton
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring
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Leaks Between Spark Plugs & Head

Post by David Tipton » Wed May 08, 2019 9:55 am

I have a 1915 Touring with the original head. I had the motor and transmission rebuilt about 4 years, alum. pistons, scat crank, stainless valves & seats, etc. Yesterday when I drained and refilled the radiator some accidentally splashed into the 1st and 2nd spark plug dimples on the head. When I started to crank the motor I saw bubbling around the spark plug threads, I tightened the plugs as much as possible but to bubbling is still there. This is happening around all 4 plugs even after tightening. I don't think this is a new problem I happen to notice it because I splashed coolant on the head while refilling.

The plugs are new Champion 25's. I would appreciate all suggestions/help.

Thanks,
David Tipton
Colleyville, TX

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Charlie B in N.J.
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Re: Leaks Between Spark Plugs & Head

Post by Charlie B in N.J. » Wed May 08, 2019 9:58 am

Actually kind of common. You'll hear everything from Teflon tape (white & Yellow) to tin foil on the threads. Yellow Teflon is my choice.
Forget everything you thought you knew.

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Steve Jelf
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Re: Leaks Between Spark Plugs & Head

Post by Steve Jelf » Wed May 08, 2019 10:18 am

It's a problem only if it lowers compression or if you let a lot of water leak into the cylinders, but foil or Teflon tape are OK. Some are afraid the tape will unground the plugs, but the threads will cut through it and contact the head.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

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George N Lake Ozark
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Re: Leaks Between Spark Plugs & Head

Post by George N Lake Ozark » Wed May 08, 2019 5:19 pm

I had the same issue on my Z Head. I have used tin foil but had issues removing the plugs. I use anti seize now and no issues. A few years back, Champion made some new X's with bad threads that would leak. The new ones I'm running don't have that issue but did have seepage on the Z Head. Anti seize works for me.

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KirkieP
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Re: Leaks Between Spark Plugs & Head

Post by KirkieP » Wed May 08, 2019 7:00 pm

George
Anti seize works good for me too.
Kirk Peterson
Santa Fe NM

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David Tipton
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Re: Leaks Between Spark Plugs & Head

Post by David Tipton » Wed May 08, 2019 7:50 pm

George N Lake Ozark wrote:
Wed May 08, 2019 5:19 pm
I had the same issue on my Z Head. I have used tin foil but had issues removing the plugs. I use anti seize now and no issues. A few years back, Champion made some new X's with bad threads that would leak. The new ones I'm running don't have that issue but did have seepage on the Z Head. Anti seize works for me.
Any particular brand of Anti Seize?

Thanks,
Dave Tipton

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Topic author
David Tipton
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Location: Colleyville, TX
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Re: Leaks Between Spark Plugs & Head

Post by David Tipton » Wed May 08, 2019 7:52 pm

kirkiep wrote:
Wed May 08, 2019 7:00 pm
George
Anti seize works good for me too.
Thanks for your recommendation of using Anti Seize, any brand in particular?

David Tipton

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KirkieP
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Re: Leaks Between Spark Plugs & Head

Post by KirkieP » Thu May 09, 2019 9:51 am

What ever the Parts store has in stock.
Kirk Peterson
Santa Fe NM


hah
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Re: Leaks Between Spark Plugs & Head

Post by hah » Thu May 09, 2019 10:00 am

Cooper.... takes the heat...use it on engines I have rebuilt ..non t.

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Mark Gregush
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Re: Leaks Between Spark Plugs & Head

Post by Mark Gregush » Thu May 09, 2019 10:39 am

I use ether anti-seize or white teflon tape, which ever I have at hand at the time. I have some old anti-seize with lead in it (known in California to cause all kinds of nasty things to the body if you eat it! :lol: ), but as said above what ever brand.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup

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