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Twisted-off Spark plug Threads Removed
A mechanic twisted off #7 spark plug on my '96 Dodge Ram 1500, 5.7 Liter V-8. (Furthest back on left, and obstructed by master cylinder, vacuum chamber, steering column, and several brake-lines. At least it sloped forward, instead of rearward). He then sent me on my way to have it dealt with somewhere else. And, yes, it was a Champion plug as has been criticized by some on the web (RC12YC)..14mm, 3/4" reach. I wasn't quick enough to challenge him when he used only a simple ratchet handle and socket, which exerts extra side-pressure on the threads, and a harmful side-tilting force on the plug. He ovbviously should have used an extension, using any method to insure that the extension only exerted pure "rotational force" on the spark plug. He had advised against using an impact tool on it. In fairness, I had removed the other 7 plugs and another one was extremely tight, and I had thought it might twist off. I took the last one to the mechanic because I thought he might have some better method. Some of my initial ideas for removing the threads failed, wasting a period of time ..(lucky I didn't need the truck)....including a few careless maneuvers that cost me a lot of wasted time and effort...especially because of waiting almost a day every time I used JB-Weld epoxy that needed to cure. It's possible some of my attempts may have helped a little, BUT HERE IS WHAT FINALLY WORKED: (based on a web- poster's success using an oxy/acetyln torch for heating). I bought a "square-type", tapered bolt remover (usually called Easy-Outs) sized for 5/16" hole. Then bought a can of some kind of "freezing spray" at Radio Shack that can chill to -50 degree F. (Also available at www.mcminone.com "Envi-Ro-Tech Freezer" #20-2200, 1-800-543-4330 or 1-877-626-3532). I then went back to the mechanic and he used his Oxy/Acetlyn torch with a very small tip to heat the the remaining spark plug shell to a cherry- red. I then immediately sprayed it with the cold-spray, after which he was able to use the square easy-out to remove the remains of the spark plug. (Actually, we repeated the heating, chilling sequence a second time). He admitted that he had never been able to get them out before and had initially sent me away to a machine shop when he first broke it off. I, of course, got my suggestions from posters on the internet. In hindsight, I might try an alternate approach first: I bought a Left Hand thread tap (3/8"-16) that can be hand-turned thru the existing hole (strongly magnetized to retain the metal particles...the shell spark gap electrode only bent, it did not separate and fall into the cylinder). This provides two things...it thins, or weakens the shell a little, and when a left-hand thread bolt is screwed in, it bottoms out counter-clockwise after which force is now applied to turning the plug shell out....without any outward pressure to the sides, such as a tapered square easy-out must have (heating cherry red as before). Unfortunately, I only thought of this after I had earlier run a right-hand tap through...and as I suspected the threads were too weak to avoid stripping out. I was only able to buy a grade 5 bolt strength (left-hand), so a judgement would have to be made, whether it would twist off. Of course we had the same worry with the tapered square easy-out. ....so it's possible my earlier misadventure cutting the threads, did help in the final success. Needless to say, I used Anti-seize paste on the threads, although some claim that changes the "heat-range" value. __________________________________________________ ______________ Get your name as your email address. Includes spam protection, 1GB storage, no ads and more Only $1.99/ month - visit http://www.mysite.com/name today! |
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