Well today was my first attempt at changing my spark plugs.. Previous to this I had a guy who worked for ford changing my spark plugs for a quick 100 bucks.. Well he's changed my plug 3 times and every time never had a spark plug to fly out.. The last couple of times he told me he thought he stripped one but he claimed he didn't.. I had lost some throttle response on 10,000 miles after the 2nd plug change and went and had him put in a new set of NGK TR6.. When I left the truck still drove the same and I thought it was something else causing it so i've been researching everything for power loss .. Also i've been getting more ticking so with low funds I decided to do this myself..
Today I started changing my plugs and the first six were easy.. My next door neighbor with a Nice GNX came over to help me with 7 and 8. He has a lot of "know how" on working on cars. He got seven's plug out easy and when we got to 8 he told me it didn't take much force unscrewing it.. Also the spark plug just kept turning but would not come out.. We figured it was stripped so we left it alone.. We were able to tighten it back down to where the threads would catch.. Apparently the last guy actually did strip the threads on #8 and tightened it back down and never told me.. This is probably an NGK spark plug thats been in my truck from 2 sets ago.. My neighbor told me it would be wise to try and tighten it back down and drive on it b/c if we took a chance taking it out, it could strip the rest of the threads and not be able to put a new one in..

This frustrates me so much b/c right now truthfully I don't have the money for a new head and also the labor involved.. Would helicoiling be a wise step or should I save up and buy a new head... Does this sound like a stripped thread to you guys?? Could someone please give me a place that has the best price on heads? I really don't know what to do now but put the 7 new ones in and hope #8 doesn't fly out.. This is a daily driver..

Thanks!

 

If the plug hole is stripped you shouldn't have to buy new heads. The only real way to tell is to go ahead and pull the plug. I have a 99L that spit a plug a couple years back and I used Time-Serts. The install kit and inserts were about $150.00 all together. Some claim helicoils work better but I am not convinced. Do a search, there is a lot of info on this subject. I highly recommend not pulling the heads.

 

a local L owner had a plug blowout on his 00 and they helicoiled it been fine since

 

Hmmm... Funny I just did a search on that and found theire website.. Is this something an average L owner can do themselves? Mine is the 4th plug back on the driver's side which is a PITA to get to

 

How much did he pay to have it helicoiled? Don't you have to remove the head to have it helicoiled?

 

I did it in about 2 hours. I am your average Joe car guy. Should not be a problem if you read the directions, search this site for more "how to's", and take your time. Also, if you haven't done it already, this would be a good time to take out your intercooler and clean it. This would give you lot's of room. That #4 driver's side is the most difficult.

 

Got Dam that sucks monkey a$$
Aint that some chit that it has to be #8 and the last plug you did
(&$@&$^%@($^%@(*&$^%@$ I'm real sorry Pal : o (

As for heli coils inserts or time-serts they're all fine
Face it almost every built motor out there has inserts in them, and you hardly ever hear of a problem, (pretty much never). Schitt I even had two pull out of my orig built motor and I got two new ones glued them in (you must use sleeve retainer, the stuff they put cylinder walls in with) and they help for 13 plug changes I made, over 60 dyno's, and Boost level's from 22 min to 25 max, (that theres about 100K of reg L life, hehehehehe)

Your in Ga right ? How bout getting a hold of James "Runnin' with the Devil"
or Ivan "USA Hooters" ??? maybe they can do it or at least steer you in the right direction. #8 is a bitch but they've been fixed before and your trouble will end. Well worth the few hundred it may cost you.
Keep us informed Pal

 

Thanks Rob.. Man you've been on here for a while and a lot of us can always count on you b/c you've been through so much hell with your truck .. You seem to have an answer for everything.. Do you have a website for them guys?

 

Rule Number One ... Always start these puppies by hand ...
If it doesn't turn easily, then you've got it c o c k e d ...

Sounds like someone forced that plug in or just cranked it
down without starting it first, That's a sure fire way to
crossthread steel threads in an aluminum head.

Time-Serts seem to be the thread repair of choice ... I'm just
fortunate enough to never have had to use them. Although I
did in a 1948 VW Cabriolet. Had 200,000 miles on that engine
with inserts and main bearings epoxied back in ... < grin >

Good Luck on your problem.

 

Thanks Bro
Ya unfortunately for a guy that still only has 14K on his mint Lightning,
and sprayed the stock block with total success for years, I sure have gone through hell ever since hu

BUT THAT'S ALL CHANGED NOW

AS for info on Runnin' with the Devil (James Parker)
and USA Hooters (Ivan)
YOU HAVE MAIL