Spark plug torque....ANYONE ???????
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Spark plug torque....ANYONE ???????
Dear Lord I have never searched for one answer to a tech question and found so many answers...
On my 2008 5.4 what the heck is the spark plug torque spec..
Heard everything from 10lbs to 28lbs..some say dry some say never sease some say blue lock tight...PLEASE pretty please can some one tell me..
thanks...
Cant wait....please not more confussion
ps Scott
On my 2008 5.4 what the heck is the spark plug torque spec..
Heard everything from 10lbs to 28lbs..some say dry some say never sease some say blue lock tight...PLEASE pretty please can some one tell me..
thanks...
Cant wait....please not more confussion
ps Scott
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,812
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From: Thousand Oaks, CA
Our older vehicles use regular style Motorcraft plugs, not sure what your 2008 uses.
I always use a torque wrench when installing steel plugs in aluminum heads.
Under 20 ft-lbs seems a bit light.
I torque our plugs to 25 ft-lbs and have had no problems with them loosening.
I change the plugs/boots at 50k and use anti-seize.
Anti-seize is used to prevent galling of aluminum when harder metals are pressured against it.
I always use a torque wrench when installing steel plugs in aluminum heads.
Under 20 ft-lbs seems a bit light.
I torque our plugs to 25 ft-lbs and have had no problems with them loosening.
I change the plugs/boots at 50k and use anti-seize.
Anti-seize is used to prevent galling of aluminum when harder metals are pressured against it.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: very South Texas
NEVER loc-tite... as it UNLOCKS at 265 degrees "F".. so no point.
anti-seize, 15 pound feet... call it good... YES anti-seize can act like a lube .. so 15 ,.
as it heats up.. acts like a ny-lock. but removal is still easy.
my opinion.
anti-seize, 15 pound feet... call it good... YES anti-seize can act like a lube .. so 15 ,.
as it heats up.. acts like a ny-lock. but removal is still easy.
my opinion.
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From: Stephensville WI
Blue loctite?! 
I thought the 3V Spark Plug TSB called for anti-seize on the threads (light coating, stay away from electrode), torque to 25 ft/lb and dielectric grease on the boot.
I thought the 3V Spark Plug TSB called for anti-seize on the threads (light coating, stay away from electrode), torque to 25 ft/lb and dielectric grease on the boot.
Fleet Owner
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From: 0,0,1
According the factory service manual it's 25 ft. lbs. See the last line of page 5 in the attachment.
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all plugs were changed...broke about 6...but all holes are good...but a year later many are hand loose...heard high temp loc tight by some ford dealers...also heard everything from 13lbs to 28lbs...
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: very South Texas
my choice.. is 15 with anti-seize ... but 20 ish is good also...
you might need to exceed 50 pounds to break a spark plug...
you might be over-thinking this issue... my opinion.
43 years... I have done a few.................................. thousand.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Thousand Oaks, CA
15 ft-lbs will probably hold fine for 50-60k.
The OEM #3 that blew out in my 6.8L lasted 108k, all the passenger side plugs were a bit loose.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Odessa, Delaware
Broke about 6???? I thought the later 5.4 engines had the new plug design that didn't break?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
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From: very South Texas
retired pro mechanic.. 43 years... many years at dealership (NOT Ford).
10 years at Honda motorcycle dealership .. aluminum heads since the 1960's..... Education is good.
the first year Honda Civic.. 1973,,, had Aluminum cylinder heads and block..
thousands are an understatement...