Just picked up some new spark plugs and come to find out my number 2 cylinder spark plug is cross threaded in there. My questioin is, what is the easiest way to rethread it? I don't want to take the head off to rethread it. Any tricks would be helpful.

Thanks

 

thread chaser on one of those long sticks.

 

first off someone F'ed up. probably the best thing you should do is go out and get a tap and redo it. you need that to have a good seal there.

i don't know the threads on the spark plugs but an auto shop or a tool shop, or a hardware store should be able to tell you or have a device to measure it. buy that tap, an extended handle and rethread it.

if you do rethread it pull the head off so that you don't leave metal shavings in the cylinder.

a vaccum while rethreading might keep the metal out of the cylinder but i wouldn't risk it.

 

the threads are 14x1.5 you need a heli-coil kit they around 30 bux its fairly easy to fix you get them at oriellys , autozone, pep-boys

 

Ok thanks. Yeah I bought the truck with around 70k on it so its been cross threaded for a while. I'll stop by autozone later tonight to get the right kit. Instead of pulling the head can I stick a magnet down there and pull the lose shavings out? I've got a tellascoping magnet so I could reach into the cumbustion chamber. Or should I pull the head to be safe? Thanks for the help.

 

not if it's an aluminum head. as aluminum is not magnetic. take the magnet and see if you can stick it to the threads inside of the head that will tell you if you can use the magnet.

 

these heads are cast iron (non-magnetic) just put some grease on the tap,and most of the metal shavings will stick to the grease.

 

yeah the grease trick is pretty good, but even with doing that you still risk it. with all the taping i did working in a machine shop i learned a few things and those things were never to rely on anything working the way you want it to. don't take the chance with it. i know you don't want to remove the head but in all honestly i think it's the best idea. yes i'd say about 99% of the metal will stick to the grease but there is that 1% that won't...

just my advice... i'm no master mechanic but i have been working in a machine shop doing taps for research projects that usually run in the 10's of thousands of dollars...

and yes i am honking my own horn....

 

Well thanks, that solves it, I am gonna have to pull the head. I don't want to but I'ld rather be safe then sorry. Thanks for the help. Guess I got a project to start working on this weekend. I might as well replace the plenum since its gonna be coming off anyways.

 

I've seen a few guys get a shop vac and set the hose right next to the area they are taping while they do it...just a thought...