ThunderThighs

So I changed my spark plugs and wires today. 5 were changed without any problems,
But one had decided to f with me.
The plug won't go in. It just keeps spinning and spinning but won't catch and thread in.

So I know that the head may be stripped. And I know that I may need to get a new one (I ******* hope not)

I've also heard about the the tap and dye set or whatever they're called.

But really I'm looking for advice, or any tips or tricks I should try.

Thanks guys. This is really pissing me off.

mike mike

They make a tap just for cleaning up the sparkplug hole. There a whole lot cheaper than getting a head repaired.

ThunderThighs

That's definitely going to be my first choice, and I can only pray it works. My bro was just telling me that it does take a degree of skill and talent to do it right though.
Any body ever try these? How hard are they really to do?

KJamesJR

If it's the closest plug to the radiator... This one was a ***** to get in. For me at least. It felt like it kept spinning and spinning. Wasn't threading in. Turns out I had the wrong angle on it. Went right in after that.

mike mike

Just went thru this last week on the front plug. Started thread the plug in by hand and it got tight way to soon. Started to cross thread, checked the plug and the first thread was f--- up.
Not that hard. Just make sure your lined up right or you'll cross thread and cut up threads that are in there. The one I have is really tapered on the end to help you get it started right. Put a little grease on the tap to catch an chips and shavings.

JeepCoMJ

I always pull the serpentine and unbolt the a/c pump out of the way to do the number 1 cylinder.

ThunderThighs

That's for the replies guys. And I got lucky (I guess as much as I could get) that it's number 4. So lots of room to work at it.

ThunderThighs

Do you guys remember what size tap you used? Or which one I should pick up?

DFlintstone

Idk right off hand, but I would check it against another plug whatever it says on it anyway. Great tip with using grease. Course you don't want any of that stuff in there. I have a bunch of supper strong little magnets I got out of old hard drives. If there is any room I might put a magnet on the tap as far down as it will fit. It does seem to me most plug threads are the same Btw. Easy does it, lite touch should do it!

RTorrez1

Personally I wouldn't tap it. Just go to the parts store and pick up a hylacoil. or how ever it's spelled.

ThunderThighs

I thought the helicoil (think that's how it's spelled) used a tap first, then spins on the plug to feed in?

RTorrez1

I never had to tip it. I would put it on the plug and would tap it's self. I never had a problem putting them in that way.

CCKen

Use a spark plug thread chaser, not a tap. You're asking for trouble using a tap.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-spark...p-00947321000P

mike mike

I called it a tap in my last post, but this what you need.

DFlintstone

You wouldn't consider a helicoil unless you stripped the threads out of the head. (the plug is in/home but spins and won't tighten). Not so easy to do in cast iron as opposed to aluminum. Assuming you still have threads you might just need to chase it out with a tap, or a chase whatever you can get a hold of! I've never used a actual chase myself, if they where thoughtful enough to make it magnetic that would be a plus. If you had a Harbor Freight nearby that might be handy.