T3 Head Steel Plugs

[dodgedaddie]

"To Change Or Not To Change"

..My 91 Spirit R/T still has the steel plugs..I don't really see any evidence of cracking..(did they ALL crack ?)
I tried one time (not real hard) to get them out,,was told my another owner not to bother as they may make it crack trying to remove them,,And if it's been this many years of cycling (hot/cold)

WHAT is every ones opinion on this?
Should I REALLY, REALLY try or just leave alone?

And if change,,any tricks so as NOT to make it crack??

THANKS

Any Help Would Be A Help

[Wastelands Warrior]

No cracks, leave 'em be. I was told by a very knowledgeable TIII dude that alot of the cracking problems came from over tightening the steel plugs, not the fact that steel plugs were used. If tightened correctly the steel plugs weren't an issue.

[2.216VTurbo]

^I think there is even some anecdotal data on 'how many threads are showing' to back up the overtightening theory. SO if you find it and compare your threads showing count to the standard, it may help you to decide whether or not to mess with them.

[Ondonti]

I would bet somebody on the line thought they were too good for a torque wrench

[supercrackerbox]

It's one of those situations were you're probably best to leave well enough alone. Although I'll admit I have trouble doing that from time to time.

I would bet somebody on the line thought they were too good for a torque wrench

That's a pretty safe bet. Also, it's pretty amazing how many people don't know (or don't care) how to properly use a torque wrench. Many workers will keep going well past the 'click'. In the factory where I work, more and more traditional torque wrenches are being replaced by computer controlled ones that signal if a fastener is over-tightened. But even those are easily bypassed.

[Wastelands Warrior]

Sad but true: I work for a railroad as a tool room monitor, and I had to explain to a new "mechanic" that a torque wrench shouldn't be used as a breaker bar!!!

[cordes]

Sad but true: I work for a railroad as a tool room monitor, and I had to explain to a new "mechanic" that a torque wrench shouldn't be used as a breaker bar!!!

What? Why else would they make them so long?

[Wastelands Warrior]

what? Why else would they make them so long?

That's what she said!!!