snowborderz

grr this freakin sucks, i guess ill call around and see if i can find a place that will do the heli coil method.........

snowborderz

anyone tried doing the heli coil method themselves?

idcoocheimonster

i fixed my car today with the same prob, for $57.00. Buy the Heli-coil Save-a-thread kits, use the medium one, i bought a new boot, and spark plug too... Use the tapping tool that comes with the kit to re-tap. Apply alot of grease on the tool, and give it ust thre to four tuns on a ratchet. back out, clean off the tool, re apply grase, and repeat. Do it untill the tapping tool is freely spining. Then get the medium size helicoil, place a thin bead of marine silicone on it, (the blue one) and screw it into the new hole. Now it gets trickey. With the spark plug out, run the engine for 5-10 seconds to blow out any shavings. After that bolt in the new spark plug and you're done. The kit is 30 bucks and u can pickit up at your local auto parts store.

kcp1989

this is making me change my mind about replacing spark plugs anytime soon

97targa

Doing a heli-coil can be very tricky in getting the proper depth for smooth performance. If you don't achieve the correct depth then you could be screwed and your car will not run right unless you keep gapping your spark plug or using spacers and do several tests. Also I would really reccomend going to the parts store and buy one of those pen magnets! Open it up and bend the end a little so you can get everywhere on top of the head for all loose shavings!!!! Then use the blow out method after that! I wouldn't apply too much oil when you do the heli-coil because oil tends to stick to the oit and not the magnet. Good Luck

idcoocheimonster

Oh i already did mine today. Just giving him the heads up on what he's in for. I've been seeing alot of threads about this lately. Someone should do a write-up. I would, but at the same time i don't remember step by step.

crazyhorse

snow, there may be hope for you.look in 5.0 mustang & super fords november 2006 magazine page 24 ,the TAP OUT tool was made for this problem. thier web site is www.powerbuilttools.com. hope this helps. let me know. good luck.

snowborderz

ya im thinkin of tryin one of those set ups, just a little nervous about it, called around today, and the local dealership said they had to order new heads, new bolts, and all that crap, and they want about 3 grand....f them

FDNYBullitt

I think I answered this on another site for you but again, you can use a Heli-coil, Keen-set or a Time-cert available at any good auto parts store. Follow the directions and you'll be fine. If your unsure of your self, any good repair shop can do it for you. I think the Tap out tool that has been mentioned is the one for repairing threads that are just a little cross threaded at the top, it goes in the hole, expands, and straightens the threads from the bottom up. Just a note, forget about the magnet thing to remove the shavings as they don't work very well on Aluminum, good luck.

DTK

I know a guy who had to get this done a year or so ago.

He went to a performance shop and approached a mechanic there to do this job for him on the side. (Most mechanics will do jobs after hours for extra cash....remember though...no warranty on a cash job).
The mechanic told him what he needed and came to his place one evening and did the heli coil job for much less $$ than the shop quoted.

97 Targa had a great tip for using a bent telescopic magnet to reach inside to get all the shavings. If you do not get all of them out you will have worse problems than a stripped plug hole.

You have lots of options so check them all out before jumping.

Let us know what you do and how it works out.

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