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Message started by Don G on 03/11/21 at 08:57:08

Title: Stripped spark plug threads
Post by Don G on 03/11/21 at 08:57:08

My daughters boyfriend changed his spark plug and found it had a heli-coil. Is there enough aluminum in the head to be retapped to a bigger diameter sparkplug or can the existing heli-coil be removed and a new one installed? as it is the threads are very poor. Will he have to buy a used head?

Title: Re: Stripped spark plug threads
Post by gtenginerd on 03/11/21 at 09:05:04

Had to look up what a helicoil was. Looking forward to the replies.

For the lazy and equally uninformed :)
https://www.stanleyengineeredfastening.com/brands/optia/heli-coil

Title: Re: Stripped spark plug threads
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 03/11/21 at 09:21:33

Me, I'd replace the head. It's gotta come off anyway for the helicoil work.

But that's me. A new helicoil should work fine, but there is always the possibility of future troubles.

Title: Re: Stripped spark plug threads
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/11/21 at 09:27:39

You tube

South main auto

Dude fixed a hole the plug got loose in and the compression shot it out,

Tool called
Thread saver

Not helicoil

Piston low
grease packed in the flutes
Turn it some
Remove
Wipe
Repack

Watch

South main auto

Videos

Title: Re: Stripped spark plug threads
Post by Ruttly on 03/11/21 at 10:48:31

Have a machine shop look at it before buying another head. It might be more cost effective to have a engine building machine shop do the work with a threaded insert to repair it to OEM spark plug. Threaded insert is a high quality repair in comparison to a helicoil !

Title: Re: Stripped spark plug threads
Post by ohiomoto on 03/11/21 at 11:16:32

This one is for JOG

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3irFj2XeCM[/media]

Title: Re: Stripped spark plug threads
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/12/21 at 20:14:04

That is what I watched.

Title: Re: Stripped spark plug threads
Post by Dave on 03/13/21 at 02:42:39

Many years ago I bought a 1964 VW bug. I was just a kid and didn't know much about being a mechanic and I only had a few tools to work on my motorcycle. I was driving along and I heard a loud explosion from my engine - then the engine made a strange popping sound......it had blown out one of the spark plugs.

I called a fellow I knew who worked on VW's, and he said this was pretty common and to drive the car over.....it wouldn't hurt it to drive 5 miles on 3 cylinders.

When I got there he used the same kind of tool displayed in the video to install an insert. Because the head was aluminum they did not use any grease - the aluminum shavings were blown out using a small rubber tube on the end of an air hose - and they had me start the engine and run it on 3 cylinders before they put the spark plug back in to blow any aluminum shavings out. I drove the car for several years after that without a problem. (I don't know if the grease method is superior).

You might want to check with engine machine shops, motorcycle shops and lawn mower shops to find somebody who has the tool and the correct size inserts.

If not......I have some used heads in good used and/or refurbished condition I can sell.

Title: Re: Stripped spark plug threads
Post by Tocsik on 03/13/21 at 09:24:54

I wish I could find a mechanic like this guy in my area. Seems like a good and honest man.