Panoz Esperante GTS
Panoz Esperante GTS
Panoz Esperante GTS
RVP – Reliability / Value / Performance
SPARK PLUG TECH TALK
Panoz recommends when installing spark plugs to
use a torque wrench and the correct torque in ft.-lbs.
listed below. If a torque wrench is not available, hand
tighten the plug until it is seated in the cylinder head.
Spark plugs with gaskets should be tightened an
additional 90°. Spark plugs with tapered seats should
be tightened an additional 15°.
NOTE:
Avoid over tightening or under tightening as
spark plug or engine damage may result.
Thread Size
10MM WITH GASKET
12MM WITH GASKET
14MM WITH GASKET
14MM TAPERED SEAT
18MM WITH GASKET
18MM TAPERED SEAT
Torque FT.-LBS:
8-11
12-15
19-22
12-15
20-23
14-17
(if anti-seize material is used, reduce the torque rec-
ommendations by 30%).
IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ
Plugs must be tightened with a torque wrench. Failure
to sufficiently seat the plug in the engine spark seat
will likely result in one or more of the following:
Damaged spark plug (melting of electrodes, separation
of the insulator from the shell, discoloration of shell
and terminal nut), burnt spark plug wire and severe
engine damage. Avoid over torquing of the spark
plug which will result in plug damage (insulator can
become loose and center electrode can melt).
Make sure cylinder head plug threads are free of
carbon deposits — if necessary “chase” threads with
a cleaning tool.
INSTALLATION TIPS
To avoid problems later, it is always wise to check
that the plug has the correct reach for the engine and
that the gasket is in place during installation (see
figure 1). However, some plugs do not require a gas-
ket (see figure 2). These are usually plugs with a
conical (or tapered) seat. When installing these plugs,
it is important that the mating surfaces are clean and
that you do not over torque the plug. If a plug is
installed without a gasket, excessive heating and
pre-ignition may occur due to poor heat transfer and
blow-by of combustion gasses. Also, the threads will
project in the combustion chamber and become filled
with residue making removal difficult. On the other
hand, if two gaskets are used, residue will collect in
the exposed cylinder threads. This will make the next
installation of the correct plug extremely difficult. The
same conditions occur when installing a plug with
incorrect reach.
Page 27
Figure 1
Figure 2
