Spark plug spacer - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jace1999 · 09-06-2019, 09:17 AM

So I bought this car awhile back and I change the spark plugs right when I got it. I was getting a miss fire when I was at a high rpm for a little longer than normal. Read some forms that said to go to a tr6. I was changing them out at one of the spark plugs came out with a spacer on it and the tip broke... I got a magnet on there and got all the metal I could out. Is it time for a engine tear down? I bought a new spacer and I can’t figure out how to get it to set right. It’s letting the spark plug go way into it. I have it back out about the distance the other spark plugs are for now. What’s uall suggestions?

silversleeper · 09-06-2019, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jace1999

So I bought this car awhile back and I change the spark plugs right when I got it. I was getting a miss fire when I was at a high rpm for a little longer than normal. Read some forms that said to go to a tr6. I was changing them out at one of the spark plugs came out with a spacer on it and the tip broke... I got a magnet on there and got all the metal I could out. Is it time for a engine tear down? I bought a new spacer and I can’t figure out how to get it to set right. It’s letting the spark plug go way into it. I have it back out about the distance the other spark plugs are for now. What’s uall suggestions?

Pics for a better answer. I'm not aware of spacers. There are compression seal metal gaskets that come on some plugs but if I'm not wrong I think aluminum heads don't normally use them, if the plugs came with them you throw it away. The taper on the plug seals it against the head.

Someone stripped the threads and put in an insert?

G8One2 · 09-06-2019, 10:09 AM

You probably have the wrong plug in there. It may be a tr6 but they should be conical seat not flat with a washer. Go buy the correct plugs

Jace1999 · 09-06-2019, 11:01 AM

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/attac...1&d=1567785583

G8One2 · 09-06-2019, 11:01 AM

Ouch

G8One2 · 09-06-2019, 11:03 AM

Thought you were referring to the gasket on a spark plug. I stand corrected.

Jace1999 · 09-06-2019, 11:04 AM

Yes it was stripped and tapped. To fit that helicoil. I bought another one. I ran the tapper by hand and went smooth. I couldn’t figure out how to get the helicoil in there without the spark plug. When I use the spark plug it gets stuck on it so can’t figure out how to get the help coil to seal. I’ve put lock tight on it and have it sitting in the spot it should be but it definitely can still be tighten more....

LsxDoctor · 09-06-2019, 11:25 AM

I know its not ideal or even know what type of driving you do but that seems like a great excuse to upgrade the heads!

Jace1999 · 09-06-2019, 11:38 AM

I drive it like I stole it everyday lol. Just not financially able to do that for a few weeks. Would buying used ones be a bad idea? Or any suggestions on new ones? I’m full bolt on cammed.

Jace1999 · 09-06-2019, 11:45 AM

Could I just put a spark plug with the same threads and the helicoil?

JerTM · 09-06-2019, 11:45 AM

Parts stores will carry a helicoil kit. It comes with a tap for the head, and an insert setter. Run the tap through the head again to clean up the threads. Apply some loctite to the threads of the insert and use the setter. Let it dry for a few hours and put the spark plugs in.

The one I my toolbox is from Napa. It's called "Sav-A-Thread" Napa PN 770-3223

JerTM · 09-06-2019, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jace1999

Could I just put a spark plug with the same threads and the helicoil?

I think you'll have a really hard time finding that.

Benman · 09-06-2019, 02:06 PM

That looks like a Lisle spark plug thread repair insert to me.
What I would do if I was in your situation is figure out precisely where the insert needs to be located, depth wise, then make an install "tool" using a long threaded bolt (same thread as the spark plug) and a nut above the insert to stop the insert at the correct depth, then I would apply JB weld or similar product sparingly to od threads of insert and install into head. Allow the JB Weld to cure, then remove the bolt and install the plug. Be extremely careful to not glue the bolt and nut "tool" to the insert in the process.
Probably a last ditch effort to save the head.

Jace1999 · 09-06-2019, 09:27 PM

Pulled the plug again after driving a bit the tip was bent down and the helicoil is locked in place with lock tight so no adjusting it. Going to put a new plug in for now. Looks like I’ll be needing new heads.

09-06-2019, 09:17 AM	#1
Jace1999 Drives: Camaro 2ss Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Orange Texas Posts: 43	Spark plug spacer So I bought this car awhile back and I change the spark plugs right when I got it. I was getting a miss fire when I was at a high rpm for a little longer than normal. Read some forms that said to go to a tr6. I was changing them out at one of the spark plugs came out with a spacer on it and the tip broke... I got a magnet on there and got all the metal I could out. Is it time for a engine tear down? I bought a new spacer and I can’t figure out how to get it to set right. It’s letting the spark plug go way into it. I have it back out about the distance the other spark plugs are for now. What’s uall suggestions?

09-06-2019, 11:01 AM	#4
Jace1999 Drives: Camaro 2ss Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Orange Texas Posts: 43	It’s called a Helicoil https://www.camaro5.com/forums/attac...1&d=1567785583 Attached Images

09-06-2019, 11:25 AM	#8
LsxDoctor 15 Year LS1Tech Member Drives: 2010 ss 391ci LS3 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 252	I know its not ideal or even know what type of driving you do but that seems like a great excuse to upgrade the heads! __________________ GJDM

09-06-2019, 02:06 PM	#13
Benman Drives: 13 IOM 2ss RS manual Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Euless,TX Posts: 213	That looks like a Lisle spark plug thread repair insert to me. What I would do if I was in your situation is figure out precisely where the insert needs to be located, depth wise, then make an install "tool" using a long threaded bolt (same thread as the spark plug) and a nut above the insert to stop the insert at the correct depth, then I would apply JB weld or similar product sparingly to od threads of insert and install into head. Allow the JB Weld to cure, then remove the bolt and install the plug. Be extremely careful to not glue the bolt and nut "tool" to the insert in the process. Probably a last ditch effort to save the head. __________________ Rectangular Dollars will beat Cubic Inches

09-06-2019, 10:09 AM	#3
G8One2 Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 492	You probably have the wrong plug in there. It may be a tr6 but they should be conical seat not flat with a washer. Go buy the correct plugs

09-06-2019, 11:03 AM	#6
G8One2 Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 492	Thought you were referring to the gasket on a spark plug. I stand corrected.

09-06-2019, 11:04 AM	#7
Jace1999 Drives: Camaro 2ss Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Orange Texas Posts: 43	Yes it was stripped and tapped. To fit that helicoil. I bought another one. I ran the tapper by hand and went smooth. I couldn’t figure out how to get the helicoil in there without the spark plug. When I use the spark plug it gets stuck on it so can’t figure out how to get the help coil to seal. I’ve put lock tight on it and have it sitting in the spot it should be but it definitely can still be tighten more....

09-06-2019, 11:38 AM	#9
Jace1999 Drives: Camaro 2ss Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Orange Texas Posts: 43	I drive it like I stole it everyday lol. Just not financially able to do that for a few weeks. Would buying used ones be a bad idea? Or any suggestions on new ones? I’m full bolt on cammed.

09-06-2019, 11:45 AM	#10
Jace1999 Drives: Camaro 2ss Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Orange Texas Posts: 43	Could I just put a spark plug with the same threads and the helicoil?

09-06-2019, 11:45 AM	#11
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,940	Parts stores will carry a helicoil kit. It comes with a tap for the head, and an insert setter. Run the tap through the head again to clean up the threads. Apply some loctite to the threads of the insert and use the setter. Let it dry for a few hours and put the spark plugs in. The one I my toolbox is from Napa. It's called "Sav-A-Thread" Napa PN 770-3223

09-06-2019, 09:27 PM	#14
Jace1999 Drives: Camaro 2ss Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Orange Texas Posts: 43	Pulled the plug again after driving a bit the tip was bent down and the helicoil is locked in place with lock tight so no adjusting it. Going to put a new plug in for now. Looks like I’ll be needing new heads.