Spark Plug Threaded hole

[Guest]

Hi everyone!

I have a slight problem hindering me with my tune up. On the right side in-board spark plug hole, the PO cross threaded it or mangled the threads somehow. My question: Is there a way to rethread the spark plug hole besides a tap?

Im afraid if I use a tap it will drop shavings into the motor.

[Steve]

Coat the tap with some grease, it will catch any shavings.

.

[DanTheMan]

If the threads aren't completely ruined, tap it. Grease the tap and most of the shavings come out with the tap. The remainder can be sucked out with a vacuum using a hose attachment (like for computer cleaning, it's what I use) on the end of the vacuum hose. If the threads are ruined, you put in a spark plug insert that makes its own threads, comes in a kit pretty cheaply, the auto parts stores have them.

On edit: Steve beat me to the punch.....

[chuck hahn]

I used this on n umber 3 cylinder on my 78 1000C. Just make sure the piston is down and run then tap in with an extention and ratchet. Suck out any little shavings. One tip from my experience is this...put the helicoil onto the plug and use that as the inserting tool and not the one in the kit. A few drops of high temp loctite and shes all set. Shouldnt take more than an hr to be back up and running with a now STEEL thread instead of aluminum.

http://www.amazon.com/Helicoil-5334-14-Save-A-Thread-Thread-Repair/dp/B0002SRF4O

[850 Combat]

I used a kit from the FLAPS that uses a self tapping insert. So far so good. Should be available anywhere

[bwringer]

Depending on how boogered the threads are, there is a tool called a thread chaser that will clean and somewhat gently re-form the threads. Sometimes you get lucky and this is all that's needed.

But if they're stripped, you gotta use an insert. And you only get one shot, so don't screw it up...

You want a solid insert, not the "spring" style like a normal Helicoil. I've seen Helicoil brand inserts for spark plugs that are solid.

[chuck hahn]

The ones in the Napa kit im posted are solid ring inserts. Not spring style.

[tuyvux]

Tin Foil

Use tin foil! Wrap it around the sparkplug and screw it in - if you don't want to take the engine apart. I have done this many time and yes it works, just don't do it with cars - now with cars, you use thick aluminum can as foil and wrap it around the sparkplug and jam it in there. I have done both and they do work.

[old_skool]

Use tin foil! Wrap it around the spark plug and screw it in - if you don't want to take the engine apart. I have done this many time and yes it works, just don't do it with cars - now with cars, you use thick aluminum can as foil and wrap it around the spark plug and jam it in there. I have done both and they do work.

WOW, first post and McGyver here wants you to use your gum wrapper...I know you didn't say gum wrapper, but really, a lot of people here are trying to give him good solid advice and you want him to use foil, that's just lazy and irresponsible to even suggest, don't care if your bike will run on goose crap, save your advice for the craigslist funnies thread.