You are here:

Automotive/spark plug crush washers

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/22/2011


Question
are you saying i should or should not use spark plug washers on my 1960,1961 plymouth 225 slant 6

Answer

Slant-Six
DO NOT use the Crush Washers. The Slant-Sixes from 1960-1974 used aluminum Spark Plug Tubes, which in addition to keeping the Engine Oil in the Engine, and off the Spark Plugs, also acted as the Spark Plug Washer. Using the Crush Washers prevents the Spark Plug from seating all the way in to the bottom of the Plug Threads in the Cylinder Head, which in turn causes the firing tip to be recessed. The net effect is the same as running a slightly colder Spark Plug, which while not terribly noticeable, isn't something you'd normally need to do, and to some degree, will, over time, cause some drivability problems. If someone before you has left the Crush Washers on the Plugs they installed, or if you did, you will need to get a Thread Chaser (14mm long reach), and a Valve Cover Gasket. The reason for the aforementioned, one you will need to chase the Threads to get the carbon build-up out of the end threads, and two, you also don't want to run the Thread Chaser through the Spark Plug Tube, and have it chew up the end where the Plug fits through. The need for the Valve Cover Gasket, is because with the Spark Plug Tube removed, you want to be able to reach the Thread Chaser, in case you somehow drop it into the Head, next to the Pushrods for the Valve Tappets. Make sure you clean all the old Gasket material off the Valve Cover, before putting the new Gasket on, and I only put a just enough Silicon Gasket Sealer on the side of the  Gasket facing the Valve Cover, and Valve Cover itself, to keep the Gasket in place, as I lower the Valve Cover back on to the Engine. I DO NOT put sealer on the Cylinder Head side of the Valve Cover Gasket, because you'll need a Crowbar the next time to get the Valve Cover off.

Ben Deutschman

Expertise

Questions ONLY related to Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge Slant-Sixes from 1960-1975. You can ask me about Engine Timing, general specifications, do`s and don`ts, and details such as proper installation of `Spark Plugs` on the 1960-74 `Slant-Sixes.`

Experience

I own and work on a 1960 plymouth, powered by a 'Slant-Six', have also worked on a 1968 'Slant-Six', a 1975, a 1964, and and 1970 'Slant-Six'

Organizations
Ben Deutschman
POCI Legislative Liaison
President Of The NY/NJ Slant-Six Club Of America
http://www.poci.org
http://bencar.freeyellow.com/76TAPage.html
http://bencar.freeyellow.com/benscarpage.html
http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=nynjslant6 (NY/NJ Slant-Six Club Of America Website)


Publications
Smoke Signals (Pontiac-Oakland Club International)
Hemmings Motor News


Education/Credentials
B.A 'Labor Relations', 'Rutgers University' (Livingston College Campus)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.