Plug torque and to anti seize or not, indmar 6 litre L96

[soundingbusy]

How tight are you torquing up new plugs on the above engine.  When running NGK plugs there are suggestions both for and against using antisieze.  What are peoples experiences?

[PNWoke]

Every mechanic I have talked to says to use anti seize on all plugs.  I just replaced mine on same engine a few months ago.  Sadly the previous owners mechanic didn’t use anti seize and I had one seized.  It was a huge pain in the butt.  Luckily I was able to back it off slowly with a cheater and wobbly rachet extension but it took me 45 mins of bending over in the compartment not to mention the stress of it ruining the head the whole time.  It finally popped free and I was able to do a heli coil insert repair.  I’m pretty sure the torque spec on plugs with antiseize was described as “hand tight snug + 1/4 turn”.  I did this and then torque checked it to about 20 ft lbs.  ngk recommends 17-22 for cast iron heads and 14-20 for aluminum heads.

disclaimer: spark plug + antiseize  is hotly contested internet topic.  I fall in the pro antiseize side because I would rather run the risk of a plug becoming loose and possibly misfiring than having one get seized.  I also check the plugs and boots every season at least 1 time when I change the oil. 

Edited October 2, 2023 by PNWoke