Whoever cross-threaded it probably did it with an air ratchet and just kept on truckin. That's why I'll do my own "tune-up," thank you very much.

Sorry this happened to you, OP.

 

That's why I start them with my fingers. Ain't cross threaded one in 55 years.

 

i couldn't start mine with my fingers with those stupid heat shield on. either my shields were too long or my fingers were too short. a good tip is a piece of vac tubing on the end of the plug. knock on wood i haven't crossed one yet.

 

I use a spark plug socket with a universal joint on the end. With an extension plugged into that, I've never had a problem starting a plug. I like the heat shields because they help me get it started at the right angle. I can feel pretty quickly if it's crossed up.

 

I also start them with an extension and socket. I've never cross threaded one either, and before this all of my vehicles had aluminum heads.

 

How do you remove them? Its also a PITA because I cant get them out with my fingers when they are untightened.

 

Take a heater hose clamp and tighten it around the shield and pull it out.

 

get a plug socket with the rubber in it.

 

That still won't work for some reason.