Hello.

Can someone tell me if the LS1 utilizes inserts for spark plugs, or are the treads drilled into the engine block itself? If the latter, what must be done in the case of stripped threads?

Thank you and Happy Holidays.

 

Spark plugs go into the cylinder heads. No inserts that i know of, heads themselves are drilled and tapped for spark plugs. You can re-thead the cylinder head. Sometimes that works.

 

threads are cut into the head, if you have a stripped hole you'll either need to have it welded, drilled/tapped or use a heli-coil

 

Does a heli-coil serve as a form of insert to fill the extra gap of the enlarged hole? Also, does the welding involve lining a stripped hole with molten aluminum and tapping it after it has cooled?

On a stock thread, what's the spark plug torque threshold before the thread goes? Does the entire engine have to be out of the bay in order for a stripped hole to be worked on?

Thanks a lot.

 

Hi- not sure about the actual breaking point of the threads, but it is way beyond the point that a reasonable person would wrench it. Most of the time, the problem happens when threads are crossed when inserting the spark plug. (One reason to insert them quite a bit by hand, not a socket right away!)

You need to remove the heads to repair the threads, not the entire engine.

 

yes....

 

Jegs and a few others sell a tool to repair stripped spark plug threads with the head still on the car. here it is
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/80595/10002/-1
that's the page . If the threads are too bad for that to work then removal is recommended for a threaded insert. but it is possible to do it with the head still on the car just use a lot of grease to catch the metal shavings before they get into the engine.

 

Awesome! Thank you very much.

That'll be very helpful if you can avoid removing the heads. If the heads come off, you might as well do a headgasket job.