the previous owner of my truck apparently stripped a spark plug hole. can i install a heli-coil insert without removing the head? will the aluminum shavings hurt the engine?

YES YOU CAN, and NO IT WON'T. The insert you install won't actually be a helicoil. It'll be a solid insert. They're usually available at most any auto parts store. The shavings won't hurt your engine, but its a good idea to put grease on the tap so the majority of the shavings are captured in the grease. Good luck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

i just went to the auto parts store and checked out their inserts. i have a few more questions.

do i need to drill out the hole first?

what size is the spark plug thread? M14-1.25?

the 3.0 v6 uses flat-seat spark plugs, right? the inserts i saw at the auto-parts store didn't distinguish if it was for flat-seat or taper-seat spark plugs. does this matter?

thanks.

No, you shouldn't have to drill it out. The special tap that comes with the kit (if you bought the kit) is also a reemer. And yes, that's the correct thread pitch. The inserts come in different lengths. Make sure you have the right length. I would recommend using a good 6 point socket to drive the tap with, so that the tap stays straight as possible when you're starting it. I usually use a deep socket and shimm it so that the hex part of the tap is completely supported by the walls of the socket...makes it more stable. I was an aircraft mechanic in the Navy for 9 years...one of my specialties was fixing damaged threads and broken fasteners that morons created. I just loved those left-handed mechanics that the Navy "made"...they were usually the guys that screwed fasteners that were TOO long into blind holes....and torqued em down till the broke off...thinkin they could make em fit. Sorry...I'm rambling now. LOL.

Time-Certs saved my butt countless times during my old formula Atlantic racing days. I used my master kit just weeks ago to repair failed helicoil attempt (prior owner) to re-anchor exhaust studs.

This is super good stuff! http://www.timesert.com/

I'm not trying to be contrary to mechanic58 but when I fixed my plug threads, the head was off and I was shocked at how many/much aluminum shavings were produced by the drill portion of the repair tap. I trust when he says it wont hurt the engine to have those in there, but duuuuude that's a lot of shavings! gives me the willies to think they would be in there <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> The sleeves worked great by the way <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> The previous owner had stripped out two plug threads about 90% down. only two intact thread revolutions per <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I am with azimuth on this i dont think aluminum in your engine is a good thing

Well, I know the effects of of having piston ring chunks in the combustion chamber and boy howdy...it aint pretty.On the other hand, I have also seen what happens when aluminum piston chunks go up there as well. Result were these ingot like things resembling a pool of melted solder on the piston face...cept they were hard. I would just use plenty of grease will doing the tap and have a shop vac handy for afterwards to BE SURE you got as much out as possible.
~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

thanks for all the advice. this is a great forum.

i didn't take the head off. i tapped the hole already. i used a shop vac connected to a smaller hose to suck up as much of the shavings as i coud. i then disconnected the other spark plug wires and i cranked the engine a few times to blow out any residual shavings. i didn't see anything come out though.

right now, i'm just waiting for the rtv silicone that i applied on the insert to dry before i put in a spark plug and start her up. the dry time says 24 hours on the package so i'll let you all know what happens then.

if something goes kabloom...i'll be reading up on the 3.4 5vz-fe swap. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Them shavings will all blow out the exhaust the first time the valve opens. And they're just cast aluminum. Won't hurt nothin. I promise. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />