Ok guys, I just got screwed blue on a plug change on my lt1. Some ******* that did the first tune up before I owned the car cross threaded plug #5, and so I cannot thread the new one in. Therefore, I must now tap and helicoil the hole. I'm not sure if the douche did the same thing on the other head, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. My question is: is it possible to repair a spark plug hole with the head on the car?

Again, this is the #5 plug on the driver's side head. Thanks.

 

if there is a way to do it with the head on the car i havent heard about it. The aluminum shavings from taping the hole would go right into the cylinder, i would think anyways...

 

do it right the first time and take the head off. u will prob use many less bad words that way!

 

Yeah thats what I figured. Damnit Thanks for the advice guys

 

I would pull both heads, and use the impala HGs when you put them back on for a bit more compression.

 

You could try a thread chaser. You can pick one up at NAPA. There a little pricey but it could save you a lot of time and money.


It basically works like a thread tap but it starts inside the cylinder and works its way out so you dont get metal in the engine. It follows the good threads and cleans up any bad threads. You insert it in the plug hole, expand it in the cylinder and then chase the threads

 

I dont think that will work. The cross threaded plug damn near tore out all the threads from its hole. I'm just gonna have to take the head off and tap and helicoil it.

 

Don't use a heli coil, use a threaded insert such as a timesert

 

Agree. Like this...

 

spark plug thread strip is very common on mustang world lol ( spark plug blow out ), Most use their kit at advance auto part or napa without problem. btw the kit from timesert is one of the best kit I heard of.

 

timesert or nothing. helicoils tend to back out.

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I ended up pulling the head and putting a timesert in. What an absolute PITA for a simple plug change. I guess I learned my lesson that you CANNOT trust anyone to work on your car except yourself.

 

IMO I would use a spark plug thread chaser first and see if that is enough to repair the threads.

 

I should have used a backtap, but oh well, whats done is done. If I run into the same problem on the other head that's what I'll do, God forbid.

 

That and also put plenty of grease on it to help catch any metal that may break loose.

 

Man, that sucks. Is this a stock head car? I think if I had to pull a head off, I wouldn't be able to resist upgrading/modifying while I was at it :-p