I have a couple of tired threads on the Blackbird engine, the plugs had become one with the head.....
Whats folks views on helicoiling them with the head in situ ? ie plenty grease and care while drilling and tapping ?
Bit of a hoover out when Im done ? or airline ..
My main concerns are
1)Swarf ingestion.
2)Cock eyed helicoil hole
Anyone else done this who can advise ?
Thank you all.
Ivo
Sounds like it can only end badly imo
quote:
Originally posted by Autosri
Sounds like it can only end badly imo
It can be done, a method my father used was to have the valves rocking open on thar pot, and a high power vacuum cleaner with an attachment he'd
fabricated sucking the swarf out, making sure the valves were open created airflow.
Breaking the tang of was the tricky bit, I seem to remember modified pliers and a strong magnet being used, also a lot of expletives when he dropped a
tang.
quote:
Originally posted by r1_pete
It can be done, a method my father used was to have the valves rocking open on thar pot, and a high power vacuum cleaner with an attachment he'd fabricated sucking the swarf out, making sure the valves were open created airflow.
Breaking the tang of was the tricky bit, I seem to remember modified pliers and a strong magnet being used, also a lot of expletives when he dropped a tang.
I would be worried about the tang getting lost only then to be fired back up in between the piston and bore!! Ouch 
Helicoils are GREAT but worth taking the head off in my view..
My thoughts were tip the engine on its side to reduce the chance of swarf dropping into the cylinder, plenty grease and slowly cutting then removing
the crud. Cleaning the swarf as I go.
And modify a pipe to fit my hoover which will go down the plughole to remove any bits.
Aye ok - I will take the head off when that time comes......
the chancer in me is put to bed
Pull the heed off it Ivo!!!
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
Pull the heed off it Ivo!!!
Aye! I've looked the mankinis out!
Seen it done with either grease or shaving foam to catch the swarf
I'd take the head off though as its the only way you'll know your 100% safe
Helicoils are best suited to blind holes. Imho. When used in a spark plug hole it is possible for them to work thier way into the upper cylinder. I would take the head off and make a shouldered insert or bore the plug hole leaving a shoulder at the bottom so it can't migrate downwards.
I had a local engineering company fit one to my 929 fireblade a few years ago, he came round to my house to do it with the head on, and the engine
still fitted , no problem for him, but I don't think I would have had ago myself.
[Edited on 19/05/04 by PAUL FISHER]
Had cylinder head bolt done on a bike engine years ago and it only lasted a matter of weeks. When I complained to the shop they insisted I'd overtightened it which I definitely hadn't so not too chuffed I never went back to that shop again. Suzuki main dealer btw. You might get away with it on a plug cos less stressed but I'd rather not use them on engine parts.
Top hat insert alternative to Helicoil
Link
Leason for everybody is if you have the slightest reason to suspect a thread is damaged before putting the spark plug back in run a plug thread
chaser/repair tool down the plug hole, often these can recover quite badly damaged thread.
Some engines are very prone to seized plugs (particularly some OVH Fords and BL O series) with iron heads Coppa Slip can be used to prevent
seizing but with alloy heads use Aluminium-Graphite anti-seize.
i find these better than helicoil you can get them from wurth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP2Up_hG7rc
I have some decent engine specialists near me, so advice taken re the coils going loose in the head.
Will checkout the links on the laptop later, thanks guys
quote:
Originally posted by JAMSTER
i find these better than helicoil you can get them from wurth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP2Up_hG7rc