simple spark plug question....

[MessiTom]

Fellas wile diagnosing a dead cylinder I am having trouble getting the plug to thread back into the head.

It keeps chewing the plug thread. I may have cross threaded it the first time. But the threads in the head I can see look fine.....

Anyway I was going to get this thread chaser http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008MFR2IS/ref=pd_aw_sim_263_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1KGK0D3CRHFQ88BWSCK5

Is my plug size M14 x 1.25? Luckily it's the middle cylinder drivers side so it's "easy" to get to.

 

[pcam13]

I have autolite AP104 in mine, just checked.

Electrode Tip Material: Platinum
Manufacturer Heat Range: E14
Resistor: Suppressor
Spark Plug Reach: .708 in
Spark Plug Seat Type: Tapered
Spark Plug Thread Size: 14 mm x 1.25
Tip Configuration: Power
Wrench Diameter: 5/8

 

[MessiTom]

Thank you sir. Same plugs I have. Duh didn't think of looking up the plug specs

 

[SoNic67]

Careful with resulted metal shavings falling into your cylinder. They will eat up your rings, valve seats...

 

[koda2000]

put grease on the chaser's threads to catch any metal filings you may create.

 

[Turdle]

The galley in the thread chaser is for grease-chip accumulation.

When you finish cleaning the threads, use a shop vac on the new hole.

If you have a sohc I think the heads are aluminum, so the shavings should not really do any damage. Any little speck remaining will most likely burn up and go out the exhaust.

 

[swshawaii]

Seems odd that aluminum heads could strip steel threads. Make sure the metal heat shield is not skewed and preventing the plug
from going in straight. I found that a thin walled 5/8" deep socket fit inside the tube easily where a "spark plug socket" would not. The heat shield can be easily aligned by tweaking with a plier. Place a small piece of paper towel inside the socket to prevent the plug from falling out when starting the threads by hand.

 

[MessiTom]

Thanks guys. I'm pretty sure it's got iron heads. I'll have to take a magnet no it. It's the OHV not the OHC engine. Good idea about the socket not fitting. I was using a spark plug socket.

 

[Turdle]

Seems odd that aluminum heads could strip steel threads.

The threads in the head are stripped, so yes a steel spark plug could strip an aluminum head pretty easy.

However OP has cast heads. The thread chaser should still catch most of the shavings.

 

[swshawaii]

It keeps chewing the plug thread. I may have cross threaded it the first time. But the threads in the head I can see look fine.....

Let's read this from the OP again.

 

[Turdle]

Let's read this from the OP again.

Yes, and this also

Anyway I was going to get this thread chaser http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008MFR2IS/ref=pd_aw_sim_263_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1KGK0D3CRHFQ88BWSCK5

Not to mention he stated he thought he might have crossed the threads.

I have feeling once the threads are clean a new spark plug will go right in.

 

[koda2000]

Yes, and this also



Not to mention he stated he thought he might have crossed the threads.

I have feeling once the threads are clean a new spark plug will go right in.

I agree. Pretty hard to damage the spark plug's threads an aluminum head. Pretty easy to mess up the threads in the head. I always use anti-seize and always make sure the plug is going in correctly by starting it with my fingers. In fact I prefer to seat the plugs all the way using just my fingers. If it doesn't screw in easily it's either cross-threaded, or there's carbon or dirt in the threads.

 

[swshawaii]

Thanks guys. I'm pretty sure it's got iron heads. I'll have to take a magnet no it. It's the OHV not the OHC engine.

 

[MessiTom]

I have feeling once the threads are clean a new spark plug will go right in.

I really hope so. Waiting on the mail man. I refused to pay $30 local when the better one is $6 online.

 

[swshawaii]

Too late now, but no Sears in your area? Being double sided it was a little tricky getting started but worked well on
my old Honda. As mentioned, use grease to catch shavings and go slow working it back an forth to clean the threads.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-spar...p-00947321000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[MessiTom]

SUCCESS! I chased the threads a few times and voila I got a fresh plug back into it.
BONUS my 5th cylinder is now firing since I put a know working plug in it. Kind is strange. The pprevious plug must have just failed with only about a thousand miles on it.