Plug hole stripped

[Johnny Rotten]

I stripped out one of the spark plug holes in my 350. I can see no threads left. How do fix this. I know you can rethread it.What I'm asking is how big a PITA is it with the head still on the motor? Can I get the kit at NAPA, and if so does anyone know the part number? Also how well do they work. It is a bit of a thumper, the engine that is. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

[jyardgirl]

you need a helic kit that you can get at any auto parts store. i did one on a old toyota. the helic kit is a self tapping unit. pretty easy to work with. be sure to tap it with a hammer as directed.

[pro70z28]

I know it's a lot of work but I would take the head off. A few metal filings stuck between the rings & cyl. wall can do some bad things real fast.

[Daffy427]

I know it's a lot of work but I would take the head off. A few metal filings stuck between the rings & cyl. wall can do some bad things real fast.

Yes..Especially if it's a high dollar motor...The risk is not worth it

[Itoldyouso]

Or, if you feel lucky you can put a shop vac with a very small nozzle up against the newly threaded hole and suck any stray pieces out. A good sized vac should be able to extract any fragments that might be in there. To make it easier to get them all out, you might run the piston to TDC first, that will make the area where any shavings go less deep and easier to clean out with the suction. You might also try to get it TDC when the exhaust valve is open so you get some air entering the bore to allow the vac to draw more air out.

Don

[jerry clayton]

if he was lucky he wouldn't have stripped the threads

[Itoldyouso]

Don

[R Pope]

Use lots of grease on the tap and clean it every turn and re-grease it. Blow the cylinder clean after the job is finished, and it will be all right. Done it many times, everything from mowers to tractors, never had one fail yet.

[HemiTCoupe]

I have done them the same way as R Pope, never had a problem grease & clean & grease & clean, etc. I then taped a small tubing on a vac and stuck it in to make sure I didn't drop anything in.

Pat

[Tom F]

Take the head off!!!

I hashed out a perfectly good engine one time when I thought I had everything cleaned out.

[stovens]

Short cuts are great when they work, but fatal when your whole engine is at stake. Take the safe route, it may be a pain now, but it will be a lot better than a complete rebuild!

[mopar34]

Better yet.... pull the engine, use as a boat anchor or door stop. Get new crate engine of your personal choice and install.