Anit Sieze to use or not

[mgcjag]

Hi All.....Starting this topic as a result of a siezed spark plug topic....confusion arose as to when and where to use different types of anti sieze compounds...particularly steel to aluminium....comments and experties please....
.Gfhug Joined: 19 Jun 2014
Posts: 281
Location: Near Andover, Hampshire,in D.O. Blighty
PostPosted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 8:30 am Post subject: Reply with quote
Glad to hear you've got the plugs out Steve.

It would be interesting to get a feel for who does or doesn't use copper grease or optimol paste.
From NGK (http://www.ngkntk.co.uk/index.php/techn ... ng-torque/)
NGK does not recommend the application of lubricant to spark plug threads as the resultant reduction of frictional forces at the thread faces will render the torque charts inaccurate and over tightening could occur

And we can see their recommended torque settings of 25-30 Nm, or 18-21.6 lbs ft in old money.

Have always been told to use copper grease on aero-engines and when the carbs were set up last year the mechanic used copper grease (on the plugs not the carbs, before anyone comments Wink )
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[Simonpfhc]

Steel bolts into steel - always copper grease
Steel and aluminium - always Optimol
Have always left spark plug threads dry, but never worked on an XK head before, so would be interested to hear.

Cheers.

[abowie]

I have never put any form of anti-seize on plugs in nearly 40 years of tinkering.

[Mark Gordon]

I use a small dab of Permatex Anti-seize lubricant. Never had any problem with stuck plugs.

[PeterCrespin]

I usually fit them dry but have been known to run a drop off the end of the dipstick onto threads, throttle linkages, cable ends etc. Sometimes Copa Slip but only ever as tight as needed for the washer. I grew up on bike toolkits with plug spanners maybe six inches long. That's plenty to tighten a plug with one hand.

I suspect the stuff about electrolytic corrosion is bogus. You need an electrolyte, not just two electrodes. Whether it's micronised Cu or Al it's aways dispersed in a non-conductive oil or grease carrier. Molybdenum is fine too of course but fresh fasteners assembled dry with sane torque are perfectly OK. After all these years I can't imagine using a torque wrench for anything other than critical crank-related fasteners or heads etc.

[christopher storey]

I have never used thread lubricants on plugs. Nor have I ever used a torque wrench. The old rule of thumb was to tighten the plug until finger tight and then tighten further with an spanner only one-eighth turn, this being sufficent to compress the collapsible washer on the plug