Helicoil
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: Off Topic
Forum Discription: Anything non-Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=20743
Printed Date: January-11-2025 at 9:38am
Topic: Helicoil
Posted By: MI-nick
Subject: Helicoil
Date Posted: February-25-2011 at 12:01pm
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I'm embarrassed to admit this...but, last summer when chaning the plugs in the pontoon boat outboard (4cyl, 40 horse, 4 stroke Merc) I got distracted and severely cross threaded one of the plugs. By the time I realized what had happened, it was too late. The soft Al threads in the head are toast. The plug stayed in all summer and the motor ran ok. It needs to be fixed though and I am thinking to repair with a helicoil.
Is this a good idea?? anyone done it and have any tips?? any better ideas that don't involve taking the head off. I know someone on here has some experience... ------------- As far as I can tell, I'm not quite sure... |
Replies:
Posted By: Fl Inboards
Date Posted: February-25-2011 at 12:14pm
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I have a tool that re-threds spark plug orifices. have you tried re-thredding?
A number of years ago I was sitting at a outside fishermens cafe and beer joint in Palmas Del Mar Puerto Rico. I noticed this guy with a file and rasping the heck out of the spark plug hole in his outboard so I was very curious and went over and watched this guy finnish his rasping, mix up a big glob of Marine tex and take a new spark plug out of the box and utilize the Marine tex to secure the plug in the hole. The next day he aparantly was out fishing as the boat was gone! ------------- Hobby Boats can be expensive when the hobbyist is limited on their own skill and expertise. 1993 Shamrock "fat" 20. 2008 Nautique 196 5.0 |
Posted By: MI-nick
Date Posted: February-25-2011 at 12:21pm
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jody, i assume this "tool" is more sophisticated than a simple tap??
I have not tried re-threading. i realized what happened...crammed it the rest of the way in and said I hope it doesn't give me any trouble this summer... ------------- As far as I can tell, I'm not quite sure... |
Posted By: peter1234
Date Posted: February-25-2011 at 1:27pm
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it is available at most auto stores it looks like a tap but has flats on it for a socket to fit it is tapered they do really work ------------- former skylark owner now a formula but I cant let this place go |
Posted By: MI-nick
Date Posted: February-25-2011 at 1:29pm
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what about chips getting into the cylinder?? ------------- As far as I can tell, I'm not quite sure... |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-25-2011 at 2:11pm
Nick, Coat the tap flutes with some grease. Most of the chips will get stuck to it. Then blow out the cylinder with compressed air. If any chips are still there, they will get burnt up or blown out the exhaust. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
MI-nick wrote:Posted By: MI-nick
Date Posted: February-25-2011 at 2:41pm
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that all sounds simple enough...but, what if just re-tapping isn't enough?? ------------- As far as I can tell, I'm not quite sure... |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-25-2011 at 2:52pm
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Nick,
I don't think just chasing the threads will do it unless you go the epoxy route that jody mentioned.    I'd suggest you go over to the auto supply and get the complete insert kit.------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: peter1234
Date Posted: February-25-2011 at 4:04pm
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I bet i am going to be faced with something similar albeit iron heads when i (if i ever ) pull my v10 excursion plugs after 90,000 plus ------------- former skylark owner now a formula but I cant let this place go |
Posted By: MI-nick
Date Posted: February-27-2011 at 1:08pm
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any opinion on http://www.amazon.com/TIME-SERT-Metric-Thread-Repair-1212/dp/B001ZS2BJ4 - Time-Sert Insert vs. http://www.amazon.com/Thread-Kits-Metric-Repair-3221-M12F/dp/B0002KL3ZO - Perma-Coil vs. the Helicoil brand inserts??
Perma-coil and Helicoil look to be almost identical...the Time-sert seems better in that it has a positive stop and a solid insert...but cutting a new seat for the plug seems unnecessary and potentially problematic (workspace, chance of cutting too deep, etc.) ------------- As far as I can tell, I'm not quite sure... |
Posted By: sweet77
Date Posted: February-27-2011 at 1:26pm
I have had a little experience here lately with that on a kohler tractor engine. the spark plug would blow right out of the head. so instead of spending $185 dollars on a new one, we drilled out the spark plug hole. re tapped the hole with a 14mm tap and inserted some anti seize and a brass reducer plug.inserted the new plug and away she went. as far as a boat motor how old is it and how hard would it be to pull the head? as pete said any shavings wold probably burn up but if your talking about a $6000.00 dollar outboard i wouldnt chance anything
 ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5528&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 76 Nautique "If you do what you always did,You'll get what you always got!" "An empty wagon makes t |