I'm worried that I may have damaged the threads on my ITR's head because when I previously installed plugs I used a 3/4 turn torque them down. I have since taken the plugs out and after some research found out that they needed to be torqued to 13 ft/lbs -- so I did so. Would a 3/4 be enough to strip the threads in the head? About how much force does it take to strip the threads out?


Modified by OemOutfittedITR at 9:04 PM 5/20/2004

 

Thanks alot for that post.

 

Have you had a problem with new spark plugs tightening properly? If not, I wouldn't worry about it.

Excellent first post, phxitr
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by phxitr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i don't know what the hell your talking about</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

It seems like it doesn't take the same distance to torque each plug. Some plugs seem to tighten earlier. There is alot of area to strip if it was in fact overtightened, however, I wanted to know just how easy or hard it is to strip these threads. I'd rather not damage my B18C5 if I can help it. If there is a problem, I wanna do something about it now. If the threads are stripped, should I notice a compression loss--is a compression test a good way to see if the threads might be damaged?


Modified by OemOutfittedITR at 1:51 AM 5/21/2004


Modified by OemOutfittedITR at 1:51 AM 5/21/2004

 

It's pretty easy to strip the threads on an aluminum head. If the plugs are tightening okay, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

When you get them to a poin twhich they can't turn by hand any more, they should be torqued an about 15 degrees further. Tightening beyond that can strip them and then you will have to have it retapped.

 

u will break the plug before u strip the head

 

Dammit, I did like a 270 degree turn. DAMMIT! Is there any way to check the damage? My mechanic friend told me a 3/4 turn is good, thanks to him I prob f'd my head. GOD DAMMIT! Will a compression test show anything?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rough_draft &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">u will break the plug before u strip the head</TD></TR></TABLE>

How do you figure?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rough_draft &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">u will break the plug before u strip the head</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's some of the worst information I have ever read here on Honda-Tech

 

If it's a new plug with new gasket, 1/2 - 2/3 turn after the gasket touches the head is the correct way.

 

So.... is my head possibly f'd. The plugs were new, but taken out of another engine after being driven 20-30 miles. I took those ones out becuase they were the wrong plugs and put the original plugs back -- also realized that Honda specified 13 ft/lbs torque so the present plugs are used ones torqued to 13lbs. I love the feedback at Honda-Tech, but I get different answers from everyone here. Can anyone set the standard?

 

I'm sure your head is fine, if you are worried about it, pull them out, and re-do it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DutchITR1689 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If it's a new plug with new gasket, 1/2 - 2/3 turn after the gasket touches the head is the correct way. </TD></TR></TABLE>
using a torque wrench is the correct way although it is dismissed many times. i think it is important because although the 1/2-3/4 turn works most of the time, it's still possible to strip the plug in the head and then you're screwed. i just like to be cautious and use a torque wrench.

 

you're absolutely right. from now on I will only use a torque wrench and torque the plugs to 13 ft/lbs. However, the question still stands, can torqing a used plug exactly 3/4 turns POSSIBLY strip the threads in the head. If so, is there any way to make absolutely sure if they are stripped or not?

 

However, the question still stands, can torqing a used plug exactly 3/4 turns POSSIBLY strip the threads in the head. If so, is there any way to make absolutely sure if they are stripped or not?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by OemOutfittedITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">However, the question still stands, can torqing a used plug exactly 3/4 turns POSSIBLY strip the threads in the head. If so, is there any way to make absolutely sure if they are stripped or not?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry man, this thread doesn't have any pictures or JDM goodies yo! so nobody responds

I think you're fine, you may want to take them out and reinstall them w/ a torque wrench just to be safe

 

thank you

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by OemOutfittedITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">However, the question still stands, can torqing a used plug exactly 3/4 turns POSSIBLY strip the threads in the head. If so, is there any way to make absolutely sure if they are stripped or not?
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Look!

If they're tight and not falling out/loose, I'd DEFINATELY leave them alone till the next time they need to be changed.

And then probably get someone else to do them.

 

I dont mean to be an *******...but you still havent answered my question....thanks for the input though. any input is appreciated

 

Many things are "possible".

If you REALLY want to find out if you "stripped" the threads, then take the plugs out and see if there's bits of aluminum from the head threads on them.

Otherwise, at this point in time (as I said above), I'd leave them alone before you make it worse.

 

if they are just spinning around in there not getting tight, it's stripped. As said anything is possible, nobody here was present when you did this. It is not possible for any of us from our computers to tell you it is stripped with the information you have provided.

 

They are not spinning, but I've taken enough drain plugs out to know that overtightening can cause damage without completely stripping the threads. The threads can be "offset"/crossthreaded is you are not carefull. Hence, there will be no aluminum shavings on the plugs, the threads will just look fresh becuase they are streched. I was wondering if this sort of damage can be evidenced by a compression test.

 

here are thea answers to your questions:

1) if you have taken your plugs out and reinstalled them torqueing them to 13ftlb, your head is fine.

2) doing a compression test will not tell/show you that you have stripped threads.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Type S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

2) doing a compression test will not tell/show you that you have stripped threads.


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Wouldn't the lack of seal give you a lower compression output?