crossthreaded spark plugs

[crossthread]

I was changing the spark plugs in my daughter's 91 civic today for the first time since I bought it and two of the plugs were apparentlly cross threaded by whoever last tuned it up. Is there any way to clean the threads or am going to have to pull the head. If I have to pull the head will I be able to repair it or am I stuck having to replace the head? All help appreciated.

[hilltopper]

Dont know about a sparkplugs threads, but maybe you could clean out the threads with a tap??

[fscskaters]

all depending on how bad it is, and u cannot buy gigger threaded sparkplugs so ur pretty much fucked, cuz if theirs no metal to tap it to make new threads, thn their are no threads. so yes u might need a new head

[crossthread]

well I bought a tap the size for a spark plug and put grease on the tap and recut the threads, removing the tap several times and cleaning the shavings off. When I was done I vacuumed out the cylinder of any loose shavings and cranked the engine to blow out any shavings. Screwed the plug and it tightened up properly. thanks for the help.

[i_a_n112784]

You can get inserts that allow you to make the hole a bit larger, and still have the plug fit without problems. It works by first making the hole larger, then screwing the insert onto the plug, put locktight kind of stuff (included in package) on the threads of the insert and screw the plug/insert into the hole. I have had to do this to an 87 prelude Si, and in minutes the insert had bonded enough to start up the car, and it ran fine. I don't know what the kit thing was called, but it included everything and inserts for 4 different sizes of plugs.

[hilltopper]

Glad to hear it worked for ya

[BullShifter]

helicoils or something like that?