Anyone got suggestions/ideas on how to get a stripped spark plug out of a head? Friend of mine just bought a motor and great condition, however, they used the bigger spark plugs when the head takes the smaller size. (Dont ask me the sizes, I don't remember. )

Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

Okay so whoever changed you spark plugs used a bigger thread size one and jammed it into the head or the part where the socket goes on is too big (the normal size being 5/8")??? Sorry I just don't quite understand the question.

 

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, exactly right. Sorry for the explanation, it's a pretty unusual problem. The spark plug should've been 5/8" and there were (I think) 13/16" plugs in there. We managed to find a tool at AutoZone that fit around the plug (plug remover with a thin walled socket), however, before we had the tool we must've stripped one of the plugs. Now the tool we got just spins around the plug. We tried pounding a socket on the plug, but it didn't help. Hopefully this is a bit better explanation. Let me know if I'm being vauge.

 

What about going in from the other side. As in removing the head.
But that would be a pain, however you could then redo valve
clearences and gaskets and all that.

 

That was another option I thought of. If at all possible I'd like to keep the whole motor intact as it was just rebuilt. That option probably isnt feasible either as they're torqued in there hard enough that I had to use a 23" breaker bar to get the others out. I'd have to use a lot of brute force, and I just don't know if the plug would handle it w/o breaking to bits... and if it does break I'm back to square one.

 

Damn man, I've never heard of this before... I would think it would be easiest to remove the head and try to unscrew it from the combustion chamber side. if that doesn't work then atleast maybe you could drill it out. If the threads get messed up heli-coil it. but anyways you go you're probably gonna have to pull the head.. Time for a new head gasket... hehe

 

Thanks for the replies.
This is probably going to be my next path. Anyone have any comments on it?

Also, what's this helicoil thing? I've seen people post about it a few times...

 

with a heli-coil if the hole gets stripped out they will tap it with the next available size up then insert a heli-coil in it which has the same threads as original hole.. They are actually stronger because they are steel inserts.. I had them done on my friend's SOHC Si tranny because the rear brackets holes got stripped out. Peace

 

OK if you rounded off the hex of the plug, and the socket you have is a 12 point socket, go get a 6 point socket in the same size. The six pointer has wider flats and can sometimes get out a plug that has been rounded off with a 12 pointer.

Next shot in the dark, is to start playing around with deep well metric sockets, sometimes you can find one just a wee bit tighter than the inch series. That and a hammer get you a tight enough fit to get the plug out.

As a last resort, and I have done this twice. I have sheared the plug boss off leaving the threads in the head and the ceramic center and the hex part of the boss in my hand. Now these were plugs in a cast iron heads. If your head is aluminum DO NOT use the heat. I took an acetylene torch and heated what was left of the plug cherry red, let it cool a bit than whammed in a large eazy out with an extension welded on. The plug came right out! At least what was left of it.
Don't stick the hardened eazy out into a red hot plug, or the thermal shock will make it shatter, then you are skewered and the head must come off.

BTW the head you are talking about had to be retapped for the larger plugs........right? Also is the head aluminum or cast iron.

Regards,
BigMoose

 

can you guys help me. i did a compression test and the second one didnt want to come out. I believe its cross-threaded in there. Whats a heli-coil?
what is the best way to take it out without messin anything up and still fit the same spark plugs in there?
its intact and working, but dont really want to mess with it, its just bothering me since i would like to change the plugs anyways.
or should i just get another head so i can build this one up?

lmk