So today I went and got new spark plugs for my 87'. Nothing big, simple project, Ive swapped plugs on litteraly hundreds of cars. I like to think I know what Im doing. So I get started. First plug was a ***** to get out, but it came. I could tell it had been a while sinc ethe plugs had been changed. Second one was a breeze. I got to the third plug, you know the one, on the passenger side in the back, where you have to work the wrench inbetween the heater box and a/c canister? Well I got the socket on there and started to take it out, it was stiff but moved slowly. After about 3 tries it broke loose, or so i thought. I continued to wrachet and after once or twice I knew it felt way too loose, like it was out already. I panicked and carefully removed the socket wrench. Well part of the plug came with it. It broke on the engine side of the nut, pulling the center out and leaving the threads in the hole.

Anyone got any ideas how to get it out? I can already see the shop bill now to have a mech pull the engine and get it out. I wana cry. See image

 

i dont know how much space there is there but you could try a hammer and chisel and try and tap in a cricle to pull it out. probably too tight though. or left hand drill bits that will dig in the metal and slowly pull it out?

 

Its to tight in there. I think im screwed

 

Wow. Never seen that one before.

Since it already has a hole through the middle of it, maybe a big easy out?

 

is there anything you can remove to fit in there? even remove the fender if you have too?

 

drill out and then re-thread??

 

shouldn't have to pull the engine to get it out. just take the head off.

 

dual plugs? gonna have to start pulling everything off thats in the way for starters so you can address the problem, but i doubt there is a real solution to getting the threads out of the block painlessly, if they havent fused and welded themselves in there already. antiseize ftw

 

I wouldn't drill and retap.
I did that with my toyota and even used grease, puddy and stuff on the bit to hopefully catch all the filings. Long story short I pulled the head (again on this motor) and found a pile of shavings on top of the piston. I think parts of the cylinder wall got scratched by some shavings. Luckily I didn't turn it over with all those shavings in there.

I say try penatrent oil and a big easy out.

Or pull the head.

 

Thats what happens when you buy champion plugs

 

No kidding. Those where the plugs that where in it when i bought it a few months ago. I would never buy champion. If I cant afford something really good I generaly will use motorcraft or autolite. Ive got an easy out bit, but the shavings is a big worry for me. My father-in-law offerd to let me use his shop and has a cherry picker if I need it. Im half tempted to just shell out the $450 for a rebuild kit since ill probly have to pull the motor anyway lol

 

An easy out would work well, or you can try a left hand thread tap and turn it in it's about the same concept. I would probably pull the head, then chase the threads to clean them up. It's semi drastic to have to do but I would not drill and tap, you might get alot of shavings in the engine.

 

a slower more painless way..as a plumber that I know to get stuff out like that...if you can get a small hand hack saw ..with a steel blade..that you can get from lowes..if the blade will fit in the hold..cut the spark plug threads all the way through on the bottom and on the top..then you ought to be able to take a screw driver..and pop each half out...just a thought.,.its what I;d try to do if theres any way to get in to it

 

just an idea, but what if you slip a small magnet into the hole after you perform the surgery. that should be able to get most of the shaving out and might save you having to pull the head or take it to the shop.

 

Gona try an easy out after i remove as much of the crap from around there. Take a chisil and try and bend the edge of the threading in so the easy out has something to bite into. Then just stick a small hose down in the cylinder hooked to a vacume and suck it out. All that after soaking in in marvins myrical mystery oil lol

 

I would spray it down with pb blaster, heat the area around the threads, like on the head and try to get it out with a big easy out. if that doesnt work, heat it again and sopray the threaded piece in the plug with a keyboard duster can upside down or push an ice cube through the center to chill the spark plug piece while the head remains warm and then unscrew it

 

If you attempt to remove the pieces, use some wheel bearing grease on the tool and SOMETIMES the grease will hold the pieces of thread.

As already stated, get the things out of the way and give yourself some room.
TAKE YOUR TIME… it is worth a shot before a rebuild...

 

So here's the update. After haveing a mech freind look at it and give me his thoughts, I decided to pull the head off. And since im gona be doin the left side, I might as well do both sides. Im gona pull off both heads and clean up the valves and ect... Bought a new gasket set, that cost me $81. Planning on painting the intake black with ford blue lettering, should look nice. Anywau, i start work tomarrow. Hope it goes well.

 

Any one happen to know, or know a good website to find this on, the torque specs for an 87' 2.9L intake bolts and head bolts?

 

Well the project is done. Truck is back togather and running. Finally.

 

Glad to hear your back on the road.

 

Ya, but now ive got an oil leak coming from somewhere on the back of the motor. Seem's fine when the engine is running, but when I shut it off and the pressure drops it starts to leak. Im wondering if maybe i forgot to put a seal on the distributor?

 

Oh the joy's of owning an older truck. Now it apears ive got an exhaust leak lol. I thought that perhaps I hadnt tightend up the header bolts tight enough, but there just fine.