Spark plugs

abbo · 08-25-2011, 03:25 PM

Afternoon all- I am trying to change my spark plugs but can't get the socket on the plugs on the same side as the cam chain tensioners. Thoughts and or needed tools!! HELP I am challenged.

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cactusjack · 08-25-2011, 03:47 PM

You need an 18MM deep THIN WALL socket. I picked mine up at ACE hardware, IIRC.

abbo · 08-25-2011, 05:17 PM

:) THANKS CJ- my socket wasn't thin wall but then I had a "light bulb" moment- USE the socket out of the toolkit dumbass- that is what I told myself. Go figure it worked! LOL Sometimes can't see the forest for the trees.

**ringadingh** · 08-25-2011, 06:22 PM

I use the toolkit wrench as well, it does the trick everytime.

AlabamaNomadRider · 08-25-2011, 07:56 PM

Be sure and put some anti seize on the threads when installing the new plugs. Maybe some di-electric on the other end.

macmac · 08-26-2011, 02:47 PM

The 'Other end' isn't the electrodes in the combustion chamber. Antiseize is a real good idea.

Watch how yu say stuff Gene, I know guys that antiseized the electrodes and paced all around the ceramic full of anti sneeze

Then wonder why the engine won't start.

I knew of a punk kid that drained the oil out of his mustang car to wash the 'Sludge' out with a garden hose, running the engine , but adding water faster than the oil drain would let it out.

That 'Idea' didn't work out well at all. LOL

Kills' me

to hear of these wild tales, and then I get to see it in action or shortly after. I even have a term for it 'Killing with kindness'.

AlabamaNomadRider · 08-26-2011, 02:48 PM

I thought he would know I meant the other end away from the threads. Heck, I even knew what I meant.

**Top Cat** · 08-26-2011, 03:09 PM

'Killing with kindness'
I like that. That is how I feel about all the guys that do over maintainance.

**ringadingh** · 08-26-2011, 08:39 PM

Over maintenance is still better than no maintenance.

**Top Cat** · 08-26-2011, 10:35 PM

68,000 miles Steve. Oil & filter changes every 3-5,000 miles.
Cam chain extenders at 32,000 miles, swingarm once at 25,000 miles,spark plugs at 40,000 miles, that's it man. Still running like a champ.

**MAS Tequila** · 08-27-2011, 06:39 AM

I learned something the other day.

A lawnmower spark plug wrench from Home Depot will also work.

I think it was about $5.

MT

macmac · 08-27-2011, 07:22 AM

Any thin wall deep socket will work, and you can buy a rubber insert for most that grabs the top of the plug, so the plug is held by the socket.

It's a real good idea to get a dead spark plug wire with a snug fitting rubber boot, or a piece of tubing, to use as a installing tool, and to use it. It is damn near impossible to start a plug with crossed threads this way.

Alloy inserts or alloy cly heads will strip threads fast if a plug is cross threaded.

A thin film of anti seize on the plug threads is a must do IMO. Threads don't fit anything like 100%, so there ends up a air gap, and the psi into that air gap upon combustion is measure in tons of psi. That can and will drive oil, fuel, and bits of carbon into the air gap in the threads, and create a varnish glue over time.

Any spark plug that is ever stuck, turns a small part of a turn but no more, has a carbon ring baked on the starter thread area, all the way around, and that carbon is alloy cutting hard.

I believe in the 'get that plug hot method' to get it to break up the carbon ring, when that happens. The heat will make the hole bigger n the alloy, than it will make the steel thread end bigger on the plug.

But if antiseize is taking up that dead air space less crud can get in and turn to glue varnish.

AlabamaNomadRider · 08-27-2011, 12:25 PM

Good advice Mac. I usually use the socket to start the plug. I only use finger pressure until that sucker is snug. You will know soon if it is cross threaded.

**Kawhead** · 08-28-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlabamaNomadRider

I thought he would know I meant the other end away from the threads. Heck, I even knew what I meant.

I'm thinking if you godda go into any more detail that that, them folks maybe ought to find alternative transportation like the GOSH DERN BUS LINE!

**Kawhead** · 08-29-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmac

I knew of a punk kid that drained the oil out of his mustang car to wash the 'Sludge' out with a garden hose, running the engine , but adding water faster than the oil drain would let it out.

And another thing "Life is tough. It's even tougher when you're chit stoopid"

08-25-2011, 03:25 PM	#1
abbo Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rockwell City, Iowa Posts: 215	Spark plugs Afternoon all- I am trying to change my spark plugs but can't get the socket on the plugs on the same side as the cam chain tensioners. Thoughts and or needed tools!! HELP I am challenged. :(" title="" border="0"/> Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-25-2011, 03:47 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Spark plugs You need an 18MM deep THIN WALL socket. I picked mine up at ACE hardware, IIRC. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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08-25-2011, 05:17 PM	#3
abbo Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rockwell City, Iowa Posts: 215	Spark plugs :) THANKS CJ- my socket wasn't thin wall but then I had a "light bulb" moment- USE the socket out of the toolkit dumbass- that is what I told myself. Go figure it worked! LOL Sometimes can't see the forest for the trees.
	0

08-25-2011, 06:22 PM	#4
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Spark plugs I use the toolkit wrench as well, it does the trick everytime. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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08-25-2011, 07:56 PM	#5
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Spark plugs Be sure and put some anti seize on the threads when installing the new plugs. Maybe some di-electric on the other end. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-26-2011, 02:47 PM	#6
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Spark plugs The 'Other end' isn't the electrodes in the combustion chamber. Antiseize is a real good idea. Watch how yu say stuff Gene, I know guys that antiseized the electrodes and paced all around the ceramic full of anti sneeze Then wonder why the engine won't start. I knew of a punk kid that drained the oil out of his mustang car to wash the 'Sludge' out with a garden hose, running the engine , but adding water faster than the oil drain would let it out. That 'Idea' didn't work out well at all. LOL Kills' me to hear of these wild tales, and then I get to see it in action or shortly after. I even have a term for it 'Killing with kindness'. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

08-26-2011, 02:48 PM	#7
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Spark plugs I thought he would know I meant the other end away from the threads. Heck, I even knew what I meant. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
	0

08-26-2011, 03:09 PM	#8
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Spark plugs 'Killing with kindness' I like that. That is how I feel about all the guys that do over maintainance. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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08-26-2011, 08:39 PM	#9
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Spark plugs Over maintenance is still better than no maintenance. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

08-26-2011, 10:35 PM	#10
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Spark plugs 68,000 miles Steve. Oil & filter changes every 3-5,000 miles. Cam chain extenders at 32,000 miles, swingarm once at 25,000 miles,spark plugs at 40,000 miles, that's it man. Still running like a champ. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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08-27-2011, 06:39 AM	#11
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	Spark plugs I learned something the other day. A lawnmower spark plug wrench from Home Depot will also work. I think it was about $5. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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08-27-2011, 07:22 AM	#12
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Spark plugs Any thin wall deep socket will work, and you can buy a rubber insert for most that grabs the top of the plug, so the plug is held by the socket. It's a real good idea to get a dead spark plug wire with a snug fitting rubber boot, or a piece of tubing, to use as a installing tool, and to use it. It is damn near impossible to start a plug with crossed threads this way. Alloy inserts or alloy cly heads will strip threads fast if a plug is cross threaded. A thin film of anti seize on the plug threads is a must do IMO. Threads don't fit anything like 100%, so there ends up a air gap, and the psi into that air gap upon combustion is measure in tons of psi. That can and will drive oil, fuel, and bits of carbon into the air gap in the threads, and create a varnish glue over time. Any spark plug that is ever stuck, turns a small part of a turn but no more, has a carbon ring baked on the starter thread area, all the way around, and that carbon is alloy cutting hard. I believe in the 'get that plug hot method' to get it to break up the carbon ring, when that happens. The heat will make the hole bigger n the alloy, than it will make the steel thread end bigger on the plug. But if antiseize is taking up that dead air space less crud can get in and turn to glue varnish. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

08-27-2011, 12:25 PM	#13
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Spark plugs Good advice Mac. I usually use the socket to start the plug. I only use finger pressure until that sucker is snug. You will know soon if it is cross threaded. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
	0

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