Next time you take your Cylinderhead off...

[Festiva Time]

Today, I blewout a sparkplug #3 on my recently rebuilt motor
So, it got me to thinking I think, when you take your alumnium head off, you should consider having all the sparkplug holes "Heli-coiled", or other type of SP repair, as a preventive measure.

What do the rest of you think?

[GenevaDirt]

not really....you should be able to tell when you take the plugs out if something does not seem right. If it does end up with a problem you do not have to remove the head to helicoil it anyway.

[sasquatch]

a better idea is to put anti-seize on the sparkplug threads next time you change your plugs lol...

[freshtiva]

a better idea is to put anti-seize on the sparkplug threads next time you change your plugs lol...

amen !!

[Festiva Time]

I used anti-seize all the time. I think the aluminum threads wear out. I had no hint that the threads were going bad. The threads are totally gone. If there were some threads left, I would say I failed to keep the plug, tight.
As far as Heli-coil repairs with the head still on...It's a risky thing to do, but it is what I am going to do. I GOOGLEd about doing this repair and there is a lot of good advice on reducing the risks.

[htchbck]

^^^ Um, maybe don't over-torque the plugs? Seen it happen plenty of times, people want to make sure the plugs are "good and tight" and they keep cranking down on it. Aluminum doesn't like bolts (sparkplugs are bolts) being cranked down too tight. It doesn't "wear out" the threads it just "rips out" the threads (or stretches them too much).

[getnpsi]

Also try not to change them when hot, I know the old timers take out plugs to read if they were lean on a run but that was iron v8's and they had plugs in and out so often they weren't going to change chemically to cause harm.

[TominMO]

^^^ Um, maybe don't over-torque the plugs? Seen it happen plenty of times, people want to make sure the plugs are "good and tight" and they keep cranking down on it. Aluminum doesn't like bolts (sparkplugs are bolts) being cranked down too tight. It doesn't "wear out" the threads it just "rips out" the threads (or stretches them too much).

I use my 1/2" drive ratchet to break them free, then the smaller and shorter 3/8" drive to re-install; and I just snug them down, not crank on 'em.

[htchbck]

^^ Yep, thats the way to go... but I've seen guys torque them to probably 150Ft/Lb and then wonder why they strip out next time

[GenevaDirt]

^^ Yep, thats the way to go... but I've seen guys torque them to probably 150Ft/Lb and then wonder why they strip out next time

thats why I stop at 145Ft/Lb....:p

[sasquatch]

i use a semi truck lug nut impact gun

[Festiva Time]

I am very careful about tightening them but I bet, I have pulled & reinstalled them when hot.
I have repaired it, using "Fix-A-Thread" by OEM company. Sold in Autozone. Size: M14-1.25.
I filled the fluted part of the tap/reamer with thick grease to catch the shavings. Works great!
Forgot to mention: Festiva runs pretty good on 3 cylinders! May not make it up some hills but I live in the desert.

[Festiva Time]

i use a semi truck lug nut impact gun

Isn't That an "E" ticket ride in RedNeckLand?:toothy5: