Removing stubborn spark plugs

[guzziownr]

I am parting out an old T-3 that has been sitting outdoors for 20+ years.  The spark plugs are stuck solid and the usual dollops of PB Blaster and applications of the propane torch have left them unmoved.

Before I reach for the breaker bar is their anything else I should try?

DW

[nc43bsa]

I could suggest a method if you're not in a hurry;  it takes a few weeks.

[clubman]

I've seen pistons that were rusted solid into iron bores broken loose by pouring smoking hot olive oil into the bore. The hot olive oil thins down so much it apparently penetrates well. Don't know if it would work on a plug. Obviously a good opportunity to burn the crap out of yourself, much care.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I've seen pistons that were rusted solid into iron bores broken loose by pouring smoking hot olive oil into the bore. 

Is that you Luigi?

[Two Checks]

The spark plug has a metal seal preventing the penetrant fro penetrating. Remove the had and apply penetrant from the end of the plug.

[uncle]

With the heads off you may get better oil penetration from the inside...

You could also heat the heads (to pretty darn hot) then spray the plug with brake cleaner - (never tried it myself, but I like the idea).

[biking sailor]

Remember the formula for top performing penetrating oil, 50% acetone and 50% automatic transmission fluid.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

With the heads off you may get better oil penetration from the inside...

You could also heat the heads (to pretty darn hot) then spray the plug with brake cleaner - (never tried it myself, but I like the idea).

Some brake cleaners + flame = toxic phosgene gas. I'd be very reluctant to use it even on something that's been heated "to pretty damn hot".

[redrider90]

Olive oil oxidizes/smokes at 350 degrees whereas peanut and a few other  oils oxidize at 450 degrees.  I assume olive oil and peanut oil have the same ability to penetrate when heated? 
So maybe using an oil that has a higher flash point might work better??? I dunno but with a low flash point I gotta wonder is using an oil with a much higher flash point would work better.
Last time I had trouble with a spark plug was on my old Duc. I went to replace the plugs and turned ever so gently and the thread came right off the head. Ouch.

[John A]

When stripping an old engine block, I heat the plug and then hold a candle on it, melting wax around the threads. As it cools the wax is drawn into the threads. If it doesn't work the wax prevents penetrating oil from doing its job is a drawback from this method but enough heat will usually get rid of the wax. It does usually work though

[cruzziguzzi]

Make certain to use only a six-point plug socket. A pox upon the mechani-saboteurs who came up with and foisted upon us the twelve pointers.

Be certain to have the insulator protector in the socket.

Try a 3/4 attempt at tightening once or twice.

Use nothing that flexes like a cheap breaker bar - aptly named tools, those!

Todd.

[blackcat]

With the heads off you may get better oil penetration from the inside...

You could also heat the heads (to pretty darn hot) then spray the plug with brake cleaner - (never tried it myself, but I like the idea).

Wait, I want to be there when he sticks the head in the oven.

[redrider90]

A pox upon the mechani-saboteurs who came up with and foisted upon us the twelve pointers.

Todd.

A pox upon those Brembo F09  6 mm dual nipple bleeders!

[NCAmother]

If you have an air compressor with impact gun, correct spark plug socket, set the pressure fairly low, and shake it out

[guzziownr]

Thanks for all the suggestions:

(1)  How do you remove the head with a spark plug blocking the bottom nut?

(2)  I use an Eldorado fork tube as my breaker bar.  Not a lot of flex there.

(3)  No rattle gun in the garage.

[Mike Tashjian]

If you are parting this bike out, I would remove the intake and exhaust. If a valve is open you can squirt whatever you decide in through there.  Then it would be a good time to invest in a impact tool. What are the chances you won't need it to take other items off this bike.  Mike

[guzziownr]

If you are parting this bike out, I would remove the intake and exhaust. If a valve is open you can squirt whatever you decide in through there.  Then it would be a good time to invest in a impact tool. What are the chances you won't need it to take other items off this bike.  Mike

Aha, good one Mike.  I will get right on that...

...Lotta gunk in those ports, time for the breaker bar.  Hold my beer...

SNAP!   SNAP!  Now I can get those heads off.

Former Champions:



DW

[Peter from Sch'dy]

Now you can get at those pesky head nuts!

Best,
Peter

[rodekyll]

Autolite, Champion, AC -- all good for seizures in aluminum aircooled heads.  We pulled threads on VW heads all the time.  Bosch, Beru, NGK -- much better.

Sometimes these were so stuck that we assumed t-serts were in order and just hit them with a rattle gun.  If yours still doesn't want to come out, break the ceramic and center electrode off the stuck plug to access the head nut, pull the head and deal with it on the bench.

[Sasquatch Jim]

Is that you Luigi?

Blam

[Chuck in Indiana]

Some brake cleaners + flame = toxic phosgene gas. I'd be very reluctant to use it even on something that's been heated "to pretty damn hot".

 :1: :1: :1: :1:
be careful with brake cleaner.. I avoid breathing it cold. Don't even think about heating it.

[tris]

Wait, I want to be there when he sticks the head in the oven.

I want to be there when his Missus finds out he put a cylinder head covered in brake cleaner and olive oil in the oven

She'll probably spontaneously combust - let alone the flammable fluids on the head