Replacing factory original spark plugs

[MaverickZ71]

Cheap service manual (NOT the manufacturer's factory service manual) says you must use silicone dielectric grease in the boots and put anti-seize on the spark plug threads and tighten them with a little torque wrench. I'm old school and have never done any of that crap before. Hell, I've never changed spark plugs in aluminum heads before. Is all that REALLY necessary? Can't you just snug them with a ratchet and be done? My only torque wrench is a big one to tighten the wheel lug nuts to 140 ft lbs. 

[davester]

dielectric grease isn't absolutely necessary, it just helps for both sealing out water and removing the boots later.

 

IIRC, the fsm indicates to not put crap on the spark plug threads.  you don't indicate what year your truck is, but you can look on charm.li (website), that has the fsm for up to '12 or '13 vehicles if you want to look yourself.

 

As for torquing, I would do it for the spark plugs, and other steel bolts that go into aluminum.  It doesn't take much longer, and it means you are less likely to strip out the threads, which becomes a much bigger job.

[Jsdirt]

NEVER put anti-seize on spark plugs. A great way to end up tapping a few plug holes later! 

 

Anti-seize, oil, or similar substances that act as a lubricant will cause you to OVER-TORQUE the plugs, EVERY time. Same reason they say to never apply it to lug nuts, either. They'll end up WAY too tight.

 

Only time to add any kind of lubricant is if it is specified, like on head bolts. The torque / angle specs are derived factoring in the lubrication to the spec. Those they WANT super tight, because they, by design, will stretch when final torque or angle is reached. 

 

You don't want to stretch a spark plug! 

 

Thankfully I can say I've never done that. I had some great teachers in my youth. Grandpa and dad, mainly.

 

As far as dielectric grease goes, I ALWAYS use that. Not only as an added barrier against carbon tracking / leaking voltage, but mainly as insurance that the damned things come off without kicking my ass the next time I need to change everything.  

Edited February 11 by Jsdirt