mercury spark plug torque setting

[namdub007]

What should I torque the spark plugs down to on a Mercury 1995 ProMax 225? Local dealer told me "not too tight" hahahahaha.

[Hooty]

17 - 20 ft/lbsc/6Hooty

[jim dozier]

17-20 ft/lbs = snug too tight = helicoil!

[dstuard]

I am stupid. What does that mean?

[gw204]

That means any tighter than 20 ft/lbs and pull the head(s), drill out the spark plug hole(s), tap the hole(s), insert a helicoil (thread repair insert) and reinstall the heads because you overtightened the spark plugs and destroyed the threads in the aluminum cylinder heads. Turn a $12 spark plug change into a $100 repair very quickly.Don't ask me how I know this.....

[dstuard]

That does not sound like a ton of fun to me. I think I will go with not too tight.