www.iFourWinns.com

I changed the spark plugs for the first time in my '07 (240 hours). I thought it was funny that there was volvo red paint on the original ones from the factory engine paint job. I feel like I now have a slightly steadier idle. This is the first time (of many) I've ever replaced spark plugs and its actually seemed to have made a difference! Its nice when you find out your time has not been wasted.

_________________
2007 FW Horizon 200 5.0GXi/SX-A

Good work... It's an easy job on our vintage small block Chevrolets.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Yes, but correctly gapping & anti-seizing the threads is still a time consuming PITA!
Some of us tight-asses have to do this annually, with copper plugs!

_________________
2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

I take them out after I burn off the fogging oil. If they look good I clean up the threads put a little motor oil on the threads and re install. I thank the Lord above I can still have a beautifully simple and inexpensive small block Chevrolet in my boat instead of the unnecessarily complex and expensive crap forced on us by those who "think" they know what's better for us.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

skidaddytn you had plugs in for 8 years ? thats getting your moneys worth out of a set of plugs i replace mine every year. like louc does i burn off the oil i use to winterize but then put new plugs in. I keep the old ones for spares in case i have a problem out on the water i can switch out and get back to the docks

_________________

1989 245 vista
5.7 cobra

Hey LouC,

Can you get the fogging oil covered plugs to fire, after sitting for months?!

_________________
2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

She'll fire after the second crank over and that's with points and condenser ignition.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I have never had a problem with my plugs on the ol 4.3 V6 after fogging. Started first turn this year.

_________________
Rob

Present: 1999 Formula 280SS
Past: 1989 180 Horizon

http://www.robcamerondesign.com

>skidaddytn you had plugs in for 8 years ? thats getting your moneys worth out of a set of plugs i replace mine every year

Well.. my reasoning is, if they last in the V8 in the truck for 100,000 miles, the boat can get at least 8 years out of them... probably would have gone much much longer than that even, but I found a good deal and a rebate on new ac/delco plugs.

I don't use anti-seize on spark plugs ever.. or even any oil... don't gap them either, just visually inspect... almost every plug is now pregapped... they go in at like 11 ft-lbs. They always come out super easy.. I've never once had difficulty pulling a spark plug out. I guess if you bought a used boat and somebody else over cranked them in you could have an issue.

_________________
2007 FW Horizon 200 5.0GXi/SX-A

Salt water use. You put either OMC triple guard grease or motor oil on threads. If you keep a boat on a rotating mooring like I do its in the salt air all season. The best things to avoid seized threads in salt water are:
OMC gasket sealer (all the bolts on the outdrive, thermostat housing bolts, impeller bolts)
OMC triple guard grease (all pivot points for the shift/throttle linkage, driveshaft splines) also I coat the starter terminals with it to prevent corrosion
motor oil works well on spark plug threads.

Notice I did not list anti seize compound. Even though many like to use it, anti seize is not recommended in most shop manuals. The OMC gasket sealer and triple guard grease are recommended for many applications.
In one of our marine Chevy engines, you don't need it because the cast iron heads and the steel plugs do not cause galvanic corrosion as can sometimes happen with aluminum heads. I used to use anti seize and found it can cake up in the threads and cause trouble removing. So now all I use on spark plug threads is a light coat of engine oil.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

It's the heat that spark plug threads endure that will eventually vaporise most greases/ oils.
Most greases have a drop point that is significantly lower than the temp's they endure!
Like on exhaust manifold studs, I use copper grease/ anti-seize on every plug thread I've ever fitted - car, boat and bike.

Removing seized plugs from heads is not a fun task to perform!

_________________
2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

Experiment done some years back:
98 Jeep with cast iron head, first plug change I used anti seize. 30K miles later they come out but a bit of resistance, I can see the anti seize caked in the threads
Every other change after that (60K, 90K, 120K, 150K) only used motor oil. They came out much easier each time. I have 9 small engines, all with alu heads. None gets anti seize all come out easily. If you do use it use very little.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Along the same lines, I have never used anti-seize on spark plugs. I used to use oil, now I coat the entire metal plug with T-9 rust preventative. I think Tef-Gel would be fine too.

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Not all anti-seize's are designed for this temp' range & will break down!
Copper Grease is.
Have used it on turbo hot-side studs of many a race car & after months of abuse have been easy as pie to remove.

Just sayin'...

_________________
2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS