They should be easily screwed in by and and only tightened after you have it screwed in as far as you can.

JB

 

If you do strip it, be ready for fun. Mabye a shop can get in there and install a heli-coil. When I pulled out my exhaust studs, there wasn't enough space to work in there and I had to pull the whole engine, take it to a machiene shaop, and put it back in. Pull it out, and pray...A LOT.

 

Try to remove them when the engine is hot, I believe this is the proper way of changing spark plugs.

 

Bad sign. There is a possiblity that you might crack your housing. Take your car to a rotary specialist NOW!!!

Next time use anti-seize!

 

Try squirting a bunch of liquid wrench or WD-40 on there (with it threaded as far out as it will go), then thread it in and out a couple of times and let it sit for about 15 minutes. After that, just crank on it until it comes out. When you put it back in, use anti-sieze (preferable), or grease if you've got nothing else.

As far as how tight they should go in, thread them in until they stop (by hand), then turn 'em about 1/16th of a turn (about an inch or maybe 1.5" at the end of most socket wrenches).

 

Always remove and install spark plugs when engine is cold. The aluminum is strongest and you are least likely going to strip anything or burn yourself.
Most of the time, stripping occurs only during installation. If you are having problems removing, then someone had a problem installing them and left it that way. Pray that it is just a rusty plug. The plug will 'fuse' itself to the housing especially if neverseize wasn't used.
This makes it seem stripped when it is actually just seriously corroded and 'one with the engine'. Be patient and crank away with the socket wrench. The plug will come out. Never try to rip/pull/break the plugs out.
When installing, use a torque wrench. Torque it to 13ft-lbs or 18N-m's.

 

Yeah...DO NOT DO IT HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was the mistake that caused me to have to pull my engine. I tried to remove the nuts on the exhaust studs when the engine was hot, and they pulled right out. Aluminum threads WILL easily strip when hot.


Anyway, glad you got em out!!!