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Engine Mechanical TopicsDiscussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.
Bought a used sportster about 6 month ago. Pulled the first spark plug ... it's color and gap all good. Went to pull the second ... crap ... it's binding up in the head. I'm sure some galling ... bike only has 5k miles. So either the factory or previous owner screwed up.
Do you think a dealer, indie, or machine shop is best for repair? Looking to get time set done .... or keen?
Or maybe I just tighten to spec and let her ride until it actually needs replacing or blows out of the head lol
I can untighten about almost 1/4 turn ... and then hit resistance. I worked it back and forth gently ... after soak with PB Blaster ... same. The bike is clean and first plug no corrosion... I doubt the second has corrosion. My guess is it was installed without antiseize and some metals fused. So if I ham fist it I'm sure it will strip out.
Find some of this stuff and soak it a day or two then try.
If you do end up stripping the threads if can be repaired without a tear down if you have a few tools and a steady hand. Done many a shovelhead this way. Any auto parts store or Amazon has the kits.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Sep 18, 2022 at 09:49 PM.
Find some of this stuff and soak it a day or two then try.
If you do end up stripping the threads if can be repaired without a tear down if you have a few tools and a steady hand. Done many a shovelhead this way. Any auto parts store or Amazon has the kits.
My guess the damage is done. The part fused let go ... and is just stripping out remaining threads. No oil will cure that... but hey I will give it a try!
After soaking rock it back & forth, loose then tight a bit and repeat till you feel it either moving or you get tired and hard hand it. I've unstuck some serious fubar with the Kroil.
After soaking rock it back & forth, loose then tight a bit and repeat till you feel it either moving or you get tired and hard hand it. I've unstuck some serious fubar with the Kroil.
Well after more soak..plug is out. Yup threads in head messed up. Took some q tips with Vaseline to remove remove some of the thread slivers. I figure it's best to have the shop pick the bike up and deal with it. Concern is any slivers down in cylinder
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