Spark Plug Thread Repair
Thread Starter
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,402
Likes: 2,605
From: NC USA
Spark Plug Thread Repair
I generally avoid opinion threads but running into something I've no experience doing. Of all the things I've done over the years, putting new threads in for a spark plug isn't one of them. I've got one that will torque, but I hold my breath every time. It's just really sloppy all the way to the seat.
I'll have the head off and may do the other one on-engine later. I'm not concerned about doing it, just wondering if I should spend the 175.00 for a Time-Sert kit or are there any of the less expensive versions anyone has used with satisfaction.
Thanks
I'll have the head off and may do the other one on-engine later. I'm not concerned about doing it, just wondering if I should spend the 175.00 for a Time-Sert kit or are there any of the less expensive versions anyone has used with satisfaction.
Thanks
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Have you asked around for a local indy to do it? Thread repairs for someone with the correct tools is pretty straight-forward, but the tools can be expensive to buy, especially for a one-off job.
Thread Starter
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,402
Likes: 2,605
From: NC USA
The only way you can get ANY head work done within hundreds of miles from here is if you agree to a full port/polish, deck, bigger valves and blah blah blah. I have name for those types of folks, I'll keep it to myself.
I do all my own work - boring, cases, flywheels, oil pumps, basic head work etc. I just wondered what anyone on here may have used with good results. I think Scott uses heli-coil I read a while back. I see lots of inexpensive kits but am concerned about brand/quality of the actual inserts for the sparking plug threads.
Good to hear from you. yeah, I'm still trying to learn to speak correct english
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Hi t, I can actually walk to my local indy (although it is a bit far!) and he has many repair tools such as helicoils! Sorry to learn you are not so lucky. The only thread repairs I have ever used have been helicoils, but never for spark plug threads. They are widely used in aerospace, but should be fine!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 3,070
From: Brighton, MI
What about shipping the head off to have the hole welded up and rebore/retapped?
I have a 92cc Stihl chainsaw that has a helicoil in the spark plug hole. Been holding up well for 15 years.
Used an off brand copy of the timesert on a triumph engine plug hole that held up well also. The whole kit tap and insert was 30 bucks 20 years ago. No problems with that one either. YD
I have a 92cc Stihl chainsaw that has a helicoil in the spark plug hole. Been holding up well for 15 years.
Used an off brand copy of the timesert on a triumph engine plug hole that held up well also. The whole kit tap and insert was 30 bucks 20 years ago. No problems with that one either. YD
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,428
Likes: 7,122
From: Beyond Fucital
I've got a Ford with a Titan engine. Blew 2 separate plugs right out of the block.
There's a repair kit that threads a larger hole and you thread in an insert. Kind of like the Heli Coil.
I bought it a NAPA Auto Parts
There's a repair kit that threads a larger hole and you thread in an insert. Kind of like the Heli Coil.
I bought it a NAPA Auto Parts
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 430
From: MASS_hole
First thing that came to my mind was the Heli Coil
Most recently used on my handlebar risers
Can’t beat stainless.
Most recently used on my handlebar risers
Can’t beat stainless.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 598
Likes: 376
From: Sweden
Helicoil
Ive used Helicoil many times when I owned Nortons and Triumphs in the 70.
I also had to repair sparkplug threads.
One of the bikes were a 70 Commando with high compression pistons and a 4S cam.
That engine is still running strong with the insertion repair threads in the head.
I bought a kit with a set of different sizes of drillbits and repair threads and a tool.
Had good use of that kit for many years.
I also had to repair sparkplug threads.
One of the bikes were a 70 Commando with high compression pistons and a 4S cam.
That engine is still running strong with the insertion repair threads in the head.
I bought a kit with a set of different sizes of drillbits and repair threads and a tool.
Had good use of that kit for many years.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,590
Likes: 3,361
From: Cental, MI
No Timeserts for me... too pricey!!!
Fastenall has same ****... less money, and No Special taps etc required...I have had poor luck with Helicoils in Spark plug holes...
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0123172
even short reach for old Shovels!!!
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0246534
Fastenall has same ****... less money, and No Special taps etc required...I have had poor luck with Helicoils in Spark plug holes...
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0123172
even short reach for old Shovels!!!
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0246534
Last edited by Racepres; Dec 15, 2019 at 10:15 AM.