My brother was helping with my tune up today and he f*#ked up the #5 cyl. spark plug tread. I need the truck for work tommorrow so I forced it in. I know i should have but I was desperate. I need to know if this can be fixed or if I have to buy a new head. They are aluminum LS6 heads. Id appreciate your help, thanks.

 

Heli-Coil possibly.

 

Id see if you can get a local machinist to do it on the engine

 

Snap-on makes some spark plug thread chasers I believe that may work, or if that doesn't work heli-coil may. Good Luck.

 

It can be done, but I would dry out the cylinder, then rethread it using a shop vac about every turn without removing the tap. Then run a tube in the hole using the vac and try the best you can to get any shavings out. I wouldn't worry to much about it since most of it should get vac'ed out and the rest will probably burn or go out the exhaust.

 

I checked around today for a machine shop and I found one that wanted $80 to repair it but I have to remove the head. does that seem like a good price? thanks for the help. later

 

If I had to remove the head, I would just do the helicoil myself. If you are mechanically inclined enough to pull the head, you can definitely handle a helocoil job. The kits are around $30 but you'll have it after you are done. Seriously, can't be more than a 15 minute job after the head is on a bench.

 

I was thinking of doing that, I dont know how strong the heli coils are though. You think theyll hold up.

 

The threads on the helicoil kit are probably stronger than the stock threads,just take your time and follow the instructions.

 

I've heli-coiled a bunch of plug threads - they are cake, and i've never seen a problem with one after. Just pull the vavle cover off - pull the plug out - pump air into the plug hole and pull the two vavle springs for that cylinder, allow the intake valve to open a bit - hold it open with a pair of needle nose pliars with a rubber band around the handle - do the same with the exhaust valve - then you can take your air out of the plug hole. Take off the intake tube and duct tape the end of a shop vac on the throttle body opening. Put your shop vac on BLOW, and check that you have air coming out the tailpipe. now do your helicoil, and put it all back together...piece of cake - can knock it out in 20 minutes once you've done one yourself.