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

 

$175 sounds really high. I have had good luck with kits that cost under $50. I do not recommend making the repair on-engine.

 

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.

 

Hi Graham.
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

 

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!

 

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'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

 

First thing that came to my mind was the Heli Coil
Most recently used on my handlebar risers
Can’t beat stainless.

 

I’ve 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.

 

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