Stripped Sparkplug Repairable

[38plymouth]

I'm looking for some advice or ideas. My aluminum Fenton head had several stripped plug holes that were repaired with a threaded insert from one of those kits from Napa. One of the inserts stripped out So I pulled the head off several years ago. I'm trying to get it fixed so I can put it back on the car. The only option I have found is a big sert but the company says my hole is too large for it to work. I'm having trouble finding a local machine shop that's willing to look at it but I did find one but the guy was not very friendly over the phone. I'm going to bring it to his shop and see what he thinks but I'm not very optimistic. Just wondering if anyone knows of a way to fix this thing for good.

Edited May 1, 2013 by 38plymouth

[P15-D24]

If it is too far gone for an insert, find a good Tig welding shop, rebuild the area and have a machines shop re-drill and re-tap the thread. Many years ago I had a similar issue with an aluminum motorcycle case and that solution lasted decades. 

[fourleaf]

 I had a shop down in florida recently repair my crab. The thread on the carb itself stripped out. They Heli coiled it and it works great. The shops name is (Daytona parts). You can go to daytonaparts.com and check them out. They were extremely helpful with the task i gave them. I would give them a call and ask! Hope this helps

[38plymouth]

Unfortunately it was already repaired with a helicoil type insert. That's what stripped out and nobody makes one big enough to fix it. By the way I hate the title to this thread I guess that's what happens when you post from a "smart" phone.

[Mark D]

The helicoil can be removed with a drill press. Any good machine shop can do this job pretty cheaply.

[chopt50wgn]

I agree that getting it tig welded is going to be the way to go. Once the area is filled with aluminum, any machine shop can repair it.

[knuckleharley]

One cheap solution may be to take it to the local community college and have their machine shop and welding students fix it for you.

 

The downside to that is it's not going to happen this week. If you have the time to wait it is a good solution to your problem,and it helps the students learn from a real world situation.

[38plymouth]

I brought the head to the shop today. When I initially spoke to the guy on the phone I wasn't really impressed with his attitiude but I'm told that he is the man for the job. He turned out to be a great guy. He pulled out the 2 remaining inserts that weren't installed correctly in about 1 minute. Then he measured up the holes and said that he would weld the one that blew out and then redrill and add the correct timesert. He is also going to install timeserts in the other 5 plug holes so they will all be like new. He is also going to check the head and make sure its nice and straight before I install it. I'm very pleased so far and I should have in back this week and it's only costing me $100.

[Plymouthy Adams]

sounds like you will be back in business soon...the jobs he is doing is not hard but does require the tooling on hand to get it done...I think you gonna come out alright in the long run...

[38plymouth]

3 of the original holes were still in good shape but I don't want to take any chance with them. I was kind of surprised he said he would do them all for only $100. I expected it to be way more than that with the welding. The tig welders around here get big bucks working on all the marine stuff.

[Plymouthy Adams]

TIG welders get the big bucks for the cost of the TIG welders is not cheap..supplies to run a tig are also not cheap compared to some of the other media for welding..

 

I just outfitted my shop with a TIG by Miller complete with all the trimming needed to start welding...a tad pricy but it is just money...right? pay to play at every corner

[Don Coatney]

Sounds like a well spent Frankiin.

 

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

uncle Bennie...!

[seabee1950]

Ask you auto shop if there is a shop that repairs Aluminum heads, in KC I had a shop that could rebuild the even if it was cracked and the said there fix was better then when it was there's made it stronger.

[38plymouth]

Ask you auto shop if there is a shop that repairs Aluminum heads, in KC I had a shop that could rebuild the even if it was cracked and the said there fix was better then when it was there's made it stronger.

??????

[Plymouthy Adams]

I believe CB was asking you to check the local shops in your area and see if there is a head service for aluminum heads such as DOVER Heads etc...the reference to KC was where he used to live only..no reference to your actual hometown whatsoever...

[Don Coatney]

??????

I also did not understand this posting?????

 

Plymouthy may have it right but I am not sure???

[Andydodge]

$100.00 sounds like a great price..........sometimes it might be a worthwhile thing to add another $10-20.00 just to show your appreciation if you can,...........does he do intake manifolds?......lol.....I'll post one I have to him......lol..andyd

[38plymouth]

When I do the head swap I would like to pull the generator to clean it up and paint it. I have never messed with a generator before. Do I have to polarize it or do anything special to it before I put it back on?

[greg g]

no, just remove and label the wires so you know which is which when you reassemble.  The genny should be a mat finish.  the Satin blacks from Ace or True Value work pretty well. 

[Don Coatney]

When I do the head swap I would like to pull the generator to clean it up and paint it. I have never messed with a generator before. Do I have to polarize it or do anything special to it before I put it back on?

You might want to replace the brushes while you have it apart.

 

[38plymouth]

I have replaced brushes in alternators is it pretty similar?

[Don Coatney]

I have replaced brushes in alternators is it pretty similar?

 

 

Actually I think it is easier. Pictured is a starter but a generator is about the same.

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

Don the dual field Chrysler alternator is so easy to change brushes that you can leave it on the car and do the job in a mater of a couple minutes.

[Don Coatney]

Last one I did was in a 69 furd pickup. I had to devise a means of holding the brushes in place away from the rotor while fighting the spring pressure. But that was about thirty years ago and I dont recall all the details.