Messed up spark plug thread

[sherwinz28]

Well I did a search and I believe I may need a Heli Coil kit. Story: I got my cylinder head back and I believe it may not be the cylinder head I sent out. In any case I tried to put my spark plugs back in and one of them won't go in at all. I went and bought a 14mm tap kit and its way to big. I tried to just start the tap...maybe 4 turns so I could get the the spark plug to start turning in the head. The spark plug did start turning but its incredibly hard to turn. I think I may have messed up the thread even more. I've never used a tap/dieV kit(until now) or a heli coil kit. What size kit do I need from this list:
http://www.napaonline.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/NAPAonline/search_results_kw.d2w/report

Thanks

Ok the link doesn't work but just do a search for "Heli Coil" kit and select "Heli Coil Tap"?

 

[Defiant]

On sale, damned near half-price:
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/HEL-5334-14.html
I've dealt with this outfit, they were perfect. And, the catalogs they send later will give you a stiffie.
It's almost one of the easiest thread repairs you'll ever do, especially if the head's off the car.

Don't panic

 

[sherwinz28]

That looks just like the tap kit I bought. So if I use that I will always have to use that insert whenever I change plugs? In other words the insert stays there in the head, correct? The one I have is the 14mm but it looks like it will take a lot of material out of the head. It doesn't say its a heli coil, though...it says tap kit.

 

[Defiant]

The insert goes in and stays. Don't panic, they work like a charm

 

[MaNGiNa24]

Wouldn't be a bad idea to get a magent in there to get all the shavings and such either.

 

[Defiant]

Wouldn't be a bad idea to get a magent in there to get all the shavings and such either.

Be sure to use one of those NASA aluminum-attracting magnets.

I think the head's off, according to the poster. Otherwise, use grease on the tap to hold the chips.

 

[sherwinz28]

I wish I would've checked all the threads before I put the head on but I didn't...lesson learned. I do have a pencil type magnet thing I use to pick up nuts and bolts I drop in the engine bay. I was going to use some 30w oil while I tap the hole and then some red loctite when I insert the "insert" with the plug into the spark plug hole. I'm a little scared but hopefully it will be ok. I'll try to vacuum/blow out all the extra metal shavings that I can and use the magnet as well. If you've got any more advice I'm all ears. I do have an air compressor to blow air in the hole.

 

[Maglin]

Aluminum isn't magnetic. Thus the wise comment on the NASA magnet. it's cheaper to pull the head than to score a cylinder and end up doing a rebuild just down the road cause of a metal flake that got caught in the ring.

 

[MaNGiNa24]

Be sure to use one of those NASA aluminum-attracting magnets.

I think the head's off, according to the poster. Otherwise, use grease on the tap to hold the chips.

Haha oops, wasn't thinking. Oh defiant your witty, wise ass remarks never get old.

 

[sherwinz28]

Thanks guys I tapped the hole and got the insert in there. The plug is in there but now there are other problems. I will post in the correct forum for this next problem though...once again thanks for the help.