Spark plug threads messed up -HELP ME!

[J.D.]

I screwed up my spark plug threads....which is a trailprotrailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro. It's not all the way, only like the last 1/8 of the threads, in the head. What's the best way to go about fixing them? Do they make a special tool for fixing plug threads? It's so bad that when I start to thread the plug it, it starts straight, then changes angles!! Thanks in advance...

[ejc042]

You will need to remove the head to prevent any metal shavings from falling in cylinder. You can try using an tap to retap the threads, if they are beyond this you will have to drill tap and install a helicoil.

[J.D.]

That pisses me off. I haven't seen any manuals for this either...it's actually a dirtbike of mine, the good ol TL250, but I posted here because I figured it would get more attention. Welp I think I can figure out how to take it off without too many problems. Better go get to work!

[ejc042]

.. the only safe way to do it is to remove the head. Those metal fillings from using a tap are severely detrimental to the cylinder happiness.

[J.D.]

Welp I did it, and went over to a buddies place who has a tap&die set....ran a tap through it, no good. Somehow, the threads got really fawked up and decided to make a different angle of hole. Now I have to HeloCoil the mofudda. Great.

[HemiChallenger71]

There's a company that makes taps that will catch metal shavings, made specifically for the aluminium heads. If you want the company's name and phone # let me know, I'll dig it up.

[3 weelin geezer]

I dunno about that hemi, When I bought my 185 s plus problems one of which was a stripped spark cork and had to redo it it sure seemed simple and I said to myself: How much filings can this ting make? Its only a mm or so extra. I swept up about 2 tablespoons full of aluminum. Good thing I didn't leave the head on and use the lazy man's grease method recommended by a local mechanic.

[HemiChallenger71]

These are taps with a magnet or some method to catch the threads so they dont fall into the engine. It's an automotive application but I'm sure it'll work just fine on these bikes. It was on the back page of Car Craft a month or two ago. They're like $20.00 for a tap but it's worth to keep from having to tear a head off. If goku want's the company name and phone # I'll look it up for him, Car Craft may even have something on their web site about it.

[3 weelin geezer]

try this place: http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m3102/11_119/67320361/p1/article.jhtml--Motor age march 2001

[Dan Tenn]

If you buy a magnetic tap to catch the shavings, it wont work on aluminum.

[TimSr]

If you buy a magnetic tap to catch the shavings, it wont work on aluminum.

LOL! I was watching to see how long it would take someone to catch that! Sorry, I dont have a prize!

[HemiChallenger71]

The january 2004 Car Craft issue, very last page is the product.

www.starrproducts.com

[TRI-Zbrian]

i was going to say if you were talkign about your tri z head i would have sold you one cheap in great shape that i have kicking around

[TimSr]

That looks like a great little gadget. It works simply by keeping the hole plugged below where you are cutting, and pulling the shavings out, as you are threading from the inside out.

[HemiChallenger71]

seemed like a good product to me . You guys understand now? The best way to understand it is to watch the video.

[YTZ250#1]

my local napa dealer has them back taps.they look to be a nice tool,but they are about $60 each.for that kind of money I would pull the head.If it was a v8 car motor then it would be worth the money for the tool.