Guest gnarly928 Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 This is probably already widely known but for those who've not learned this trick... When changing plugs on these Hondas with deeply recessed plugs and aluminum heads...getting the plug threads started properly can sometimes be a dicey operation. Many times you might have a couple of extensions and a universal between you and the plug, making it really difficult to feel and to know that you have the threads started correctly. Cross-threading a plug can be an expen$ive mistake.. A good way to start the plug and to give yourself some "feel" as you do is to use a short (3-4"?) section of air tool hose or even fuel line. The plug ceramic end is pushed into the hose, which acts as a 'handle' for the plug now. You can bend the hose to insert the plug down the passage to the head, then 'twirl' the hose between two fingers, feeling how the plug threads are engaging. The rubber of the hose makes twisting it easy, but if you get the threads started wrong, the hose will spin on the plug ceramic before you tear up the threads, and you can back off and re-start the plug properly...Once you get the plug's threads engaged correctly and you run it down as far as you can, then the air line (hose) just pulls out of the plug well and you can torque the plug down with your wrench... Hope some find this useful Don Hanson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer jeremy77 Posted April 17, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted April 17, 2012 good tip... thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 Great post. There's going to always be both ppl that know it, and the ones that don't. So it's going to help someone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spud786 Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 (edited) Removal> Blow channel out with an aircompressor, break sparkplug loose half way up the threads, blow out channel again. Then completey unscrew plug and remove, an extended magnet is very valuable. Install> Always start sparkplug counterclockwise, it will drop down into the threads , less risk of cross threading than starting off clockwise. Many wonder how come their plug cam loose down the road. Its because a New gasket does not flully compress the first time you torque, so torque and break the plug lose and retorque, then you'll have no risk of the plug coming lose down the road. I just carefully let the Sparkplug slide down the channel, then with my deep socket and extension, I slide it over the sparkplug , which is much stouter than tubing, but I guess there's more than one way to skin a cat. My vfr is on its 3rd set of plugs. I find the plugs are good till about 40,000 mile, atleast with my Race leaded diet it keeps thenm super clean. I ran a set to over 50,000 miles, and those plugs where damn near disentigrated, yet the bike ran good, they where spotless clean too, no carbon even deep into the plug. Edited April 17, 2012 by spud786 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankoQ Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Thanks. I'll be changing plugs in a couple of weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest geoyachtsus Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 OK OK 786. I can't resist. Give me some idea of this magnificent mixture that burns so clean. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choco Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Good tips, I'm thinking of changing mine at 63,000 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spud786 Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 (edited) OK OK 786. I can't resist. Give me some idea of this magnificent mixture that burns so clean. Many thanks. 1 cup of vp c12 pertank, doesnt necessarily burn clean, it eats any and all carbon from valves, to head, the cat to tail pipe. I bet if you stick your finger in your tail pipe, your finger will come out black spooge, to (get RID of) requires VPc12. Edited August 4, 2012 by spud786 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmer Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 I bet if you stick your finger in your tail pipe, your finger will come out black spooge, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resin Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I might add, it never hurts hurts to apply a small amount of high temp anti-seize on your spark plug's first two treads whenever installing your plugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.