Yet Another Spark Plug Problem

[jthod]

I'm in the middle of doing the top 60k, finally got a little time off work. So, tonight I was putting in the spark plugs, the first one went in fine, second one, went in three turns and stopped. I didn't force is in any further, but pulled it out to check. The first thread on the plug seems to have been pushed back a very small amount. So I grabbed a new plug, put some anti-sieze on it and tried again, same thing. WTF!!?? I don't want to force it and strip the head out, I'd have to shoot myself. I Don't know what to do. It would probably be fine if I kept going, but I realy don't want to re-thread the head. I'm guessing a thread chaser would be a bad idea, because it could leave shavings in the cylinder.
Any ideas or suggestions?
By the way, they are Autolite double platnum

 

[93rev2sev]

If you can, take off the intake and hook up a vacuum to the intake ports(make sure to rotate the engine so that the intake valves are open). When you start chasing those threads, the debris will be sucked into the vacuum.

What did the plug that was in there originally look like?

 

[jthod]

The spark plug that was in there was fine, just a little oil and a white tip, but the threads were fine. I don't know what I did.
What thread size arr the plugs, or what chaser do I need?

 

[SHObill]

Joe, pull that 1st plug that went OK. Try it in that 2nd spot to see if it goes. Compare the threads from the old plugs to the new ones &/or the new plug that did go in. sounds like you got some plugs that were mis-packaged!
The shim kit shipped Tues. night. You should have it today I hope. call me/PM me when you get it. Thanx

 

[93rev2sev]

You can take an old plug and cut flutes into the threads if you can't find the right tap...

Heads are aluminum so go slow and don't let the plug strip the threads. Just don't go more than about an 1/8th turn and back it out all the way before proceeding.

To help insure that you go in straight, put a layer of tape on the flats of the plug...so the socket will not fall off.

Edit: Hey Bill!

 

[SHObill]

--off topic--
Hi Tom! I will call ya later to see what your work sched. & holiday time off is. Maybe we can get together!

 

[93rev2sev]

--off topic--
Hi Tom! I will call ya later to see what your work sched. & holiday time off is. Maybe we can get together!

Hopefully, Tim will be sufficiently motivated to bring his car out...BEFORE the TOB clips off the "fingernails"

Edit, Bill, check your *** for my "schedule"

 

[jthod]

I see I've opened a chatting thread. get a phone.

:laugh_ti:

I ended up taking the old plug and using a dremel, made a cut down each side. I didn't go very deep, only a little ways past the base of the threads. I had some 1/4" tubing left over from changing the tranny fluid, I fed this through the open intake valve, and positioned it just at the end of the plug hole. (yes, I just said plug hole) I used what I call miracle tape to attach the tubing to my shop vac. (the tape is red duct tape made by Intertape that I sell at Sherwin Williams, sweet stuff, it doesn't leave and residue, even while in the sun for six months, and it still sticks)
It's hard to tell if the vacuum sucked anything up, but I did have suction. The 'slotted' plug sure worked well. Double thanks to 93rev2sev. I just hope I didn't get any filings into the cylinder.
oh, and after i got the one previously mentions taken care of, another one did the same thing , I gave up and worked on something else. I'll mess with it tomarrow.

 

[93rev2sev]

Hmm. I wonder if a length of radiator hose would have provided better suction. If I were you I would try to keep the diameter of the vacuum hose as large as possible. Even heater hose would provide LOTS more air volume than 1/4 inch hose.

 

[hawkeye18]

I know this red tape of which you speak. It is highly coveted in the navy... it's (semi) officially known as ordie tape... we call it 900mile an hour tape! ...cos it's good on jets up to that speed! ha! ha!

 

[jthod]

Hmm. I wonder if a length of radiator hose would have provided better suction. If I were you I would try to keep the diameter of the vacuum hose as large as possible. Even heater hose would provide LOTS more air volume than 1/4 inch hose.

Yeah, I thought about that too, but I decided to try and get the suction as close as possible to the source of the possible shavings. I got the tubing right up to the bottom edge of the threads for the plug, which should hopefully be where the shavings went.