So, I changed my spark plugs about a month ago i think. All has been well, car ran good, etc. I replaced whatever that was in there with NGK TR5s gapped to .045 So, anyways, the other night the car started missing badly. I figured it was just a plug arcing. So, once I got home, i popped the hood to look for arcing while the motor was running. While the car was running, and i was under the hood, the plug apparently got shot out of the head. So, evidently it unscrewed itself (i realize it probably wasn't torqued down tight enough). So, I got the car turned off, and Sunday tried to put in a new plug. It threads in fine, until you go to torque the plug in after screwing it in by hand. It'll go in smooth, but when torqued it ends up at a slight angle and the socket gets pinched between the head and the plug. I don't want to have to pull the head(s) right now, as I don't have the money to get into replacing things yet. I need it to last me until spring at least, I can always replace things if i get some money, but i'm planning on not getting into this car yet as i already have one project vehicle.

Any help would be MUCH MUCH MUCH appreciated as I don't have a car right now. Any tips/tricks would help, hopefully the threads aren't to messed up!?

Thanks,
Nick

 

If it threads in easily by hand your threads are probably ok. I've had my socket get cocked on the plug even though the plug is in straight. I would put the plug in and run it. If you can't hear or feel any compression getting by the plug you're probably ok.

 

Use a regular thin wall 5/8 deep well socket and not the regular spark plug socket and this should give you a little more clearance.

 

What he said. Regular plug socket gets stuck on my car also in a few places. I tapered it down with a grinder.