spark plug stripped -help!

[chcknugget]

I finally got around to doing the worst project ever, the spark plugs. My first 5 went fine, even the notorious #3 came out after some work. #6 is not good.

When I tried to pull the boot off, the plug end tore off. That boot had totally seized to the block. So I'm out $30 bucks just to replace the wires.

If that wasn't bad enough- I got plug #6 out, and was going to put a new one in, but the beginning threads stripped as I put the new plug in. I tried putting in an older plug in its place, but that one stripped in the same way. I chose another old plug and got it to go slightly in, but I didn't want to force it, I just wanted to cover up the hole.

What should I do? Is it time to call the wrecker to pick me up?

[BlazerLT]

how many threads did you strip out?

You sure it is stripped or were you just not putting it in using the proper angle.

[chcknugget]

Not many in sure. The plugs simply aren't engaging into the hole. What do thos spark plug chasers do?

[hunter01]

Sometimes it helps to put a small piece of rubber hose on the end of the plug to make a flexible handle for starting to thread them by hand

[chcknugget]

Sorry about the poor typing in my last post.

I truly hope they're just not going in straight. If you look at the threads of these plugs, it's just the beginning threads that do not want to line up. What do you think of these poor pictures?

Is the engine block of a harder metal than the spark plugs? I really hope it's not stripped.

[chcknugget]

O yeah,
I called aroung to see what prices are on complete spark plug wire packages. Murrays wanted $56 for bosch wires, $110 for ac delco, and 115 for some other brand. Since my #6 wire is the only one that's broke, I was going to have them size one up for me for the time being. Any opinions about the "custom" cut wires?

[BlazerLT]

Stick to one question at a time.

make sure you are inserting the plug in properly.

It does not go in straight, it goes in on an angle.

Stick your finger in there and find the hole so you can line it up.

[Fireplug]

Pick up a spark plug thread chaser it will help restore the threads if there are twisted or bent. Take your time and only turn it 1 inch at a time and then back it out and go 2 inches then back it out and so on
I have old ign wire boots I use to hold the plugs while starting them.

[wolfox]

Just in case nobody said it before, please hand thread and tighten the sparkplugs initially by hand. I turn them backwards a few turns until I KNOW I felt the soft click of the threads backing off and starting where they should. Twist them in with your fingers until they seat, then tighten a 1/4 turn to half turn more with your socket wrench. Alternately, use an old spark plug wire cut 6" back from a boot. The boot will grip the plug as you feed it into the hole. Proceed as above until it is almost totally seated by hand. You should never need a tool to initially tighten a spark plug.

If using a wobble or U-joint extension, try to support the tool as much as possible. Any side-to-side flex may possibly break the insulating jacket. Very easy to do on #3, 5 and 6. Hope this helps!

[chcknugget]

Success!

The block was not stripped. I bought a new plug and a new wire for about $10. Then I proceded to very carefully insert the new plug using the torn wire boot. This worked perfectly! It was no problem getting it in!

However, the single wires from Murray's didn't fit the terminals on the distributor. I had to cut and quick-crimp (ugh) the new wire to the old one to get it to fit on. I need advice on where to get (online) new good sparkplug wires fast!

There is a loose iron spark plug shield on the passenger side of my block. It looks like it at one time was supposed to protect the plugs/boots, but one end of it has rusted through and has completely seperated from the block. It shakes back and forth and makes quite a racket. Should I just cut it out?

Everything works better than new-fast and smooth. Thanks for the help! Any info on some nice new wires would be nice. I don't want my ghetto wire to become anything more than temporary.

[BlazerLT]

I would just go to the dealer and get a set of the stock AC Delcos.

You can't get any better than them and they are made perfectly for our engines with just the right amount of resistance.

[chcknugget]

I'm sorry for asking, but what have you payed for new plug wires (if you've gotten them)? Murrays wanted an arm and a leg for them (stock ac delco-$116), and I don't expect a dealership to be much friendlier.

[BlazerLT]

Go to the dealer and get a price from them.

[chcknugget]

$132.60 + tax

[BlazerLT]

I would honestly get the AC Delcos. Grab them at Murrays.