Quote:
Originally Posted by J-Ri
If the plug did tighten, then the threads can either move freely or are already stripped, I'd just back it out and cross your fingers. I've done more spark plugs than I can count in aluminum heads, at first I thought the threads would pull out on half of them, but I havn't had a single one pull any out. The funny thing is, the only time I did have the threads pull out was on a cast iron head 
I know what you're saying about aluminum, but it definitely has it's upsides too. A Cavalier with the cast iron 2.4l handles and rides worse than the same car with the 2.2 Ecotec. Not much, but it is noticeable if you really get going . You also have more HP to accelerate because you're not moving all that weight with you. The latest version of the 2.4 Quad4 makes 5 HP more than the 2.2 Ecotec, yet is slower.
Use anti-seize, change fluids on time, and use a torque wrench... pretty much all you need to do with aluminum. |
What I don't like about aluminum is the heat factor. When I hit the racoon I never expected it to take out the cooling system. Something that you don't think of. It was about a mile from home.The wife take the car to work the next day ( 20 miles one way ) and calls me that the CHECK ENGINE light came on.She said she checked it and saw there was no water in it. I drove down and said let it set, the rad and a/c are gone.So called the Insurance company. They send a guy down the next day with a flat bed. I told him Don't start the car. Oh, he said, it won't take long. So he starts it up, doesn't like where it was and backs it off. Does this twice. the gets out (car still running ) and walks around to make sure he likes where it is on the flatbed.Finally after about 10 minutes it gets shut off. The next afternoon I get a call - Hey this is Steve down at the body shop. I'm driving this Cobalt around and am I missing something I don't see anything wrong with it ? My exact words - You idiot there isn't any coolant in it. Oh !! That was his reply. I told the wife well with all that cars been thorugh, there is no doubt the head gasket isn't long for this world. Didn't last a month. All I can hope is the head is OK. But knock on wood, I've never stripped a plug yet.I come from the days of the 265's, 283's, 327's and the Fords I've had were the 390's and 429's. I have a 28 Ford Tudor Sedan, 56 Pontiac 2 door wagon and a 79 Firebird. My everyday truck is a 77 Dodge M880. I'll still take the older ones over the new ones. Thanks