So what's the deal with spark plug washers?

cruiser said
MOPAR faithful: I know this has been discussed before, but could someone please explain to me why you're supposed to remove the washers from the spark plugs that you install in your slant six? I have a 74 Duster. The washers are there and the motor runs fine. I torque them to 30 foot pounds just like the service manual says. You cannot remove the washers from the NGK plugs that I use. What kind of washerless plugs do you use in your mid-1970s slant six?

I've never seen a plug I couldn't remove the washer from. As long as you have the head with the metal drool tubes in the spark plug access holes, you remove the washers. You do this because the drool tubes act as the washer for the plug. Having both and the plugs will not seal properly. You can take a small pair of dykes and hold the washers a little crooked and snip them right off.