I was doing some maintenance on my car, and i went to go change the spark plugs but they wouldn't come out no matter how much i turned them. I'm not a noob when it comes to maintenance, i made sure the car had been off all day before attempting this, so the head was cold, thus no problems with the heated aluminum head. Does this mean the plugs are threaded in there and now need to be machined out? What are my options? And how much should this cost me if it must be machined?

The car runs rich, so sooner or later the plugs will probably be fuel fouled and the car wont run properly unless they're changed. I have a spare full H22 head, some stage 2 cams, valve springs, and retainers laying around. Would replacing the head with the spare one and upgraded components i have be the cheapest way to go? If i were to DIY it, what would i need? I've changed LS heads before, but never on an H22. The biggest thing i'm afraid of is setting the valve lash and replacing the valves and valve seats and whatnot, because i'm not sure if the valves in the spare head are good. Everything looks in spec, I've just never used the head so i have no clue.

I've estimated i'd need the following for changing the head:
-exhaust manifold gasket
-Headgasket
-headstuds
-valve spring compressor
-feeler gauges for valve lash
-torque wrench and specs for head stud bolts
...what am i missing?


Any help/advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

are the spark plugs stripped themselves? as in the hex nut? If so, you could always stop by a garage you trust and ask them how much would it cost to remove them couldn't you?

If you're not sure about the other head and want to know if it's ok, how hard would it be to go to a machine shop and have them examine it and tell you? How hard would it be to have the machine shop or garage set up the head for you if you wanted to use the second one?

Your questions can easily be answered by using simple common sense. If you can't do something yourself, take it to someone who can and get it dealt with.

 

It happened to me after I re-installed an old motor in my car that hadn't been run in a few years. I went for broke with a 1/2" breaker bar and my heart in my throat, but all 4 did eventually come out

 

My response

 

Well where i'm at i dont have a shop that i trust much, which is why i'd like to do everything myself. Last time i had it at a shop here, they put these plugs in, and had mechanics that couldn't drive stick w/a stage 2 clutch cuz they'd never experienced it. I guess i'll look for machine shops in the area.

94Civicsi, did the plugs spin at all when it happened to you? Mine are spinning but nothing's happening. This isn't and old motor though, so i don't understand why they'd be stuck in there unless they're over torqued.

Mar778c, the current exhaust manifold gasket isn't bad, and i figured if i'm changing the head and i have these skunk2 stage2 valve springs, retainers, and cams lying around i should use them so yes, i'd be changing the valve train. What is Time Sert? Also i see you're in Downingtown PA, i'm located near West Chester, PA if that helps you make some suggestions for places to go around my area.

The help is greatly appreciated.

 

Just for example, my machinist charges $30/time sert repair if the head is off the car, and $100 if the head is still in the car.

This is why a quality antiseize is so important to use on spark plugs and O2 sensors.

 

Oooh ok. Haven't been to a machine shop yet, this happened yesterday. Sometime this week i hope to go, if the car still runs w/the plugs in it

 

Mine were corroded in. I left the motor in my Dad's garage near the ocean. When I pulled it back out 2 years later, everything was corroded.

The didn't spin at all with a 3/8" ratchet. It took the 1/2" breaker to even get them to budge. When I finally got up the nerve to "go for it", there was a large POP, then several small pops as the plug began to turn. It's going to take a lot more grunt than your brain tells you to put on a plug.

Before I did this, I searched H-T and found cases of people who broke the plug in half trying to force it out. The plug may crack and break where the hex and the threaded body come together. In the end, I figured it was no different than having the whole plug machined out though, the head was coming off either way if I couldn't force it out.

 

ahhh ok. **** it, i'm going for it then.