Um, immediately following my post about suggested mods, I tried to change my spark plugs, resulting in a stripped head. Im going to Loc-Tite it for now, but I need it fixed, which means pulling the head, which means pulling the motor. I wanted to mod the motor, I just figured it would be a few years. My question: I know just enough to knowthat mods work together to achieve more power, but don't know what (race heads,injectors, etc.). My budget: approx. $2,500. My mission: a truck worthy of a "fear this!" sticker!

 

http://www.hughesengines.com/

great website..alot of stuff you would want for mods on your motor

 

I sure as hell wouldn't lock-tite that spark plug in there!

Any decent garage can back bore the plug hole and then use a spark plug adapter to fix it. I forget the actual terminology for the process and parts, but it's one hell of a lot cheaper than what you've considered.

Of course, if you've already done the lock-tite, you need to use this as a learning experience. Always hand start spark plugs. If not by hand, then put the plug in your plug socket with an extension and start it without the ratchet on there.

I'm just shaking my head at lock-tite for a spark plug mis-threading.

 

^+1

Get it bandaged then wait until you can save more money. What kind of Loc-tite did you use regular strength or Super-strength.Just ribbing you a little bit. That cylinder generates a lot of pressure.

 

Whoa now, theres NO need to pull the engine to get a head off! You can take them off with the engine still in the truck with no problems.

 

i think the term is heli-coil.. used them plenty of times to fixed stripped plugs, starter mounting bolts, mani/headi mounting bolts,waterpump mounting bolts..

only trouble is drilling/tappin in a spark plug hole with the head still on... shavings in the cylinder,,.. this is where the head pulling comes in


btw.. the heli-coil fix is about 40-50 bux for the kit.. kit usually consists of correct drill, tap, threaded coil, tool to install the coil,, and some are made to retap the coil afterwords.

if you ahve a car-quest near ya.. they should help ya out... if not,, check a NAPA...

 

i doubt if the loctite will hold. the heli-coil will work fine.
you don't need to remove the head. the trick is to use lots of grease on the tapping insert to catch the shavings. clean it regularly and regrease.

http://www.a******ia.com/Spark/Plug/...cr20020401st/1
http://www.locknstitch.com/sparkpluginserts.htm
http://www.timesert.com/html/sparkplug.html
http://www.doityourself.com/icat/threadrepairkits

 

I havent used loc tite yet;It's still bouncing aroundin the stripped hole.I was waiting for the weekend so it could set up; Is heli-coil permanant? Also, my grand pa said to turn the motor over several times to blow anyshavings out....I was kinda thinking of not even fixing these, just getting performance heads, but that requires a re-flash, doesn't it? Then if I added anything later on, I'd have to reflash....[8D]