I did it now!!

Changing plugs on my 88 760 Turbo today, I made it to the last plug by the firewall. I noticed it a little rough, pulled it out, stripped about the first 3 threads.

Are these heads aluminum?

What do I do now??

I thought of trying a thread die, how will I see to get it straight.

I guess I will have to have it towed in and have a shop do it.

Has anyone else experienced this very "sick" feeling?

The best tool to safely start and remove sparkplugs is a six to eight inch lenght of old air hose or heavy walled vacuum hose. Just push it over the plug far enough to hold and use the hose to thread the plug in until it slips. I only use socket to torque and to break torque. Impossible to cross thread and saves burnt hands ond fingers on hot exaust manifolds. Also makes it easy to remove hot plugs without dropping. It has been an essential part of my toolbox for twenty five years now----ever since I had that sick feeling that is so fimilar to some of us.

RJC

k-d tools has a rethreader that collapses and then into the hole it goes. once in, then you expand it into the nice threads at the bottom and unscrew it from the head. here's a link- http://www.toolrage.com/prodView.asp?idproduct=1211
good luck, chuck.

God Bless you Porkface, this might save me!

if you try it, post it back. i thought it's too long for #4. but, pass or fail, let everyone know. good luck, chuck.

That's what I though looking at the length. I know I use a snubby extension for #4.

I wondered if anyone else felt that sick feeling. The third hole on my 240 b23f is missing about the first? half of the threads. Mine happened while trying to screw a cheapo compression gauge in the hole. First I felt sick, really really sick. Then I thought to myself,"what can it hurt?" and i tried to ease the plug in the hole with some anti-seize on the plug threads. After a couple of minutes, I got the plug to thread into the remaining threads and tighten down. I didn't torque it down, but it is tight. That was about 7000 miles ago. In the mean time, I have been looking into the options for repair. IPD, as well as my local(non-autozone) auto parts store sell plug repair kits for about $30-$35. Useualy contain a tap/reamer type of thing and some thread inserts and locking compound. Procedure doesn't require removing the head. The hole is reamed with the tool in the kit and then the insert is threaded into the hole. Then there is a small tang that needs to be broken off of the insert, and the locking compound get inthere at some point. Finaly, your ready to install a new plug. They are like big heli-coils for your plug holes. I have heard that they work great, but I havent done one yet. That is the route I will probably go though. Yes, the heads are made from aluminum.

This may help.

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/EngineMechanical.htm#SparkPlugHoleReThreading

Also, I know its a little late, but I never use a rachet to start any plugs. And don't feel alone. The #4 is notorious for people stripping it.