So yeah I detonated (didn't hear it, but guess it) and broke all my spark plugs...I replaced 3 of them no problem and then come to cylinder number 1. It was fairly harder to remove it, but I did and only to find out that it expanded significantly compared to the other 3 plugs...pic..



Pic sux, but its still very visible how much larger the threaded body of the plug on the right is compared to the left. The plugs are the same, Bosch FR8LPX and I had no trouble with them when I first put them in. Since the plug is so much larger...so are the threads in the head, just that 1 cylinder...I did pull them out when the motor was warm so I'm letting it cool now but I doubt it will contract enough.

Is that copper color the threads in the head or something? Did I pull those out?

If not and it is a super expanded plug...how am I to go about fixing this? I searched and found something about a "heli-coil" but where can I go to get this done?

Thanks...

 

that doesnt look right..what were you doing to your car at the time they blew up??


[Modified by STEALTHMODECOUPE, 5:32 AM 12/3/2002]

 

Looks like you have a heli coil stuck on your plug, spray some WD40, let it sit and try to unscrew it from the plug.

Here is some basic info:
http://www.squibby.freeserve.co.uk/article_helicoil.htm


[Modified by sp, 5:38 AM 12/3/2002]


[Modified by sp, 5:39 AM 12/3/2002]

 

perhaps that IS a helicoil!?!?!

i would suggest that it might be...

t..

PS you might try to hold the copper colored stuff and unscrew it off the s.plug, unless it has fused to teh thread...

 

yeah, smote me by 2 seconds!!!

ROFL!

t..


[Modified by tinkerbell, 3:39 PM 12/3/2002]

 

If I were you, I would be looking for a new head. But that's just me. Many people are happy to run cylinder heads with helicoils or timeserts in their spark plug holes.

 

 

Take the heli-coil off the plug and try to fuse another one to the head before going out and buying a new head (unless you have money to burn)

 

Really can't tell if there was any on there or not from the pic... hehehe

Buuutttt, you might want to put some Anti-Seize on them. When you go to put them back in/on, if you have not already...

It will also help in keeping the threads, from pulling out out of the head, along with the plug(s). When the engine is hot, and you want to check them...

 

perhaps this will help??

http://www.dansmc.com/spark_plugs/Sp...s_catalog.html

 

That Heli-coil thing seems to be your best bet.....ohhh btw, you don't wanna hear this but I gotta tell you. When Ralph did this same thing to his spark plugs, the pieces of the plugs were basically compressed into his piston head and valves, causing him to have to replace all the pistons and valves. So it seems you gonna have to pull the head regardless just to make sure...just my 2 cents.

 

OK, so here's my question:

What's so bad about having a king-sert, time-sert, or heli-coiled head? My car will get out of the shop tomorrow from having to have the head heli-coiled, and I plan on building the motor later for high boost........ Is this really a bad idea with the king-sert'd head?

While it's in the shop though, I had them install new/thicker radiator, thicker head gasket, new ignition, fix my exhaust leaks, put in a flex pipe on my downpipe, port match the exhaust/intake manifolds. Woohoo! Times like these are opportunity for upgrade, right?! hehe.

Nick

 

dont worry about a fixed thread, unless Mr Bodgey does it in his backyard...

some people are perfectionists, but i personally wouldnt get a new head unless the thread was totally un-fixable...

t..

 

Well.. I stuck stuck some lock-tite in this morning and let it cure for an hour..and pulled the spark plug out without the threads, hooray!

Thanks for all the advice guys.


[Modified by Vadian, 1:13 AM 12/4/2002]