I’m replacing the plugs in my 3.7 today and have a couple of questions.

The FSM says to torque the plugs to 26 ft. lbs, which seems a bit too much. The NGK site says to torque to 18-22 for aluminum heads (they are aluminum heads, correct?). I was thinking that 20 is a safer bet. What have you successfully done?

Also, I’m debating using anti-seize on them. The NGK site says to not use it because “For spark plugs with special metal plating simply do not use anti-seize on initial Installation; All NGK Spark Plugs are manufactured with a special trivalent Zinc-chromate shell plating that is designed to prevent both corrosion and seizure to the cylinder head; Thus eliminating the need for any thread compounds or lubricants.” Their concern is that you will over-torque the plugs when you put them on. I’ve used it and not in the past, what do you successfully done?

 

I use antiseize. I torque it to 20ft/lbs with it on. (which is closer to the 26 without antiseize) The bolts I can't get to with a torque wrench I just tighten it a 1/4 turn more than snug.

 

thats a perfect way to do it even if a plug was a bit lose there are so many threads on them you would probably have no leakage

 

Thanks for the feedback.

I ended up using a light amount of anti-seize on the inner threads and torqued to 20 ft. .lbs. I was able to get my torque wrench on all of the plugs. Everything went well and I’m good for a while now.