Heliocoil

[jimbobmccoy]

So, having tried a new plug in the vain hope it would catch I now know I need to rethread the head.

How easy is it to put a Heliocoil in, with the block in situ, as I think I can get enough access at the back to do it.

Also, where does one acquire a Heliocoil kit?

TIA

[Andy B]

So, having tried a new plug in the vain hope it would catch I now know I need to rethread the head.

How easy is it to put a Heliocoil in, with the block in situ, as I think I can get enough access at the back to do it.

Also, where does one acquire a Heliocoil kit?

TIA

Spark plug? I'd try to steer clear of Helicoils & find somewhere local that can fit a Time sert Helicoils aren't too bad if the thread is then used for something to be screwed in and left for ever more, but for something that will have to come back out again reasonably regularly, they're not that good - the Helicoil often unscrews.

[omegod]

+1 for the timesert, helicoils are pants for spark plugs unless you will not be changing it in the rest of the cars lifetime

[Andy B]

+1 for the timesert, helicoils are pants for spark plugs unless you will not be changing it in the rest of the cars lifetime

I thought it was you that had had one fitted ...... 

[omegod]

+1 for the timesert, helicoils are pants for spark plugs unless you will not be changing it in the rest of the cars lifetime

I thought it was you that had had one fitted ...... 

Twas on your advice Andy and worked a treat 

[jimbobmccoy]

Thanks for the advice. Had a look for time sert and the kit with the tools in is about £200.
Had a quote from one garage of £2-300 and am waiting to hear back from another.

Now, do I do it myself and have the agro of it, or do I pay to have it done?

At least if a garage balls it up and don't put it in straight it's their problem an not mine, that being said, it all seems a tad expensive for what I thought seemed a simple enough job.

[omegod]

They are having a laugh at that price and are probably quoting to take off the head, I found an old school guy who said as it was an ally head any tiny swarf he couldn't suck out would just burn up when it was started up. Worked a treat and cost me £90 all in.

Phone round any machine shops/ engine refurbishers in the area, someone will do it but at your risk. Either that or helicoil it yourself and put a bloody good plug in and leave it in forever!!

[henryd]

They are having a laugh at that price and are probably quoting to take off the head, I found an old school guy who said as it was an ally head any tiny swarf he couldn't suck out would just burn up when it was started up. Worked a treat and cost me £90 all in.

Phone round any machine shops/ engine refurbishers in the area, someone will do it but at your risk. Either that or helicoil it yourself and put a bloody good plug in and leave it in forever!!

I was thinking that,set of platinum plugs have around 60 k lifespan so may see the car out

[TheBoy]

A std GM quad has a rated life of 80k

Trouble is, any plug will start to come loose at 50K


My oil expereince of helicoil is on a sump plug. Never had an issue with it coming out, despite some very severe provocation.  I think there is a lot of "a bloke down the pub said" BS about the pitfalls of helicoils.

[henryd]

A std GM quad has a rated life of 80k

Trouble is, any plug will start to come loose at 50K


My oil expereince of helicoil is on a sump plug. Never had an issue with it coming out, despite some very severe provocation.  I think there is a lot of "a bloke down the pub said" BS about the pitfalls of helicoils.

I used one on a 24v Senny spark plug many years ago and didn't have a problem come plug change time

[Seth]

What about using Loctite (or similar) on the helicoil?
Leave it overnight, perhaps, to 'cure' before fitting the spark plug?

[TheBoy]

What about using Loctite (or similar) on the helicoil?
Leave it overnight, perhaps, to 'cure' before fitting the spark plug?

I'm sure my sump was threadlocked or similar...  ...maybe MDTM will remember 

[Jimbob]

Dont recall it, remember the tread being tapped, helicoiled, then had a bit of oil poured in to wash out the swarf.

was a few years ago mind.

[Andy B]

.....
I think there is a lot of "a bloke down the pub said" BS about the pitfalls of helicoils.

Speaking fromm personal experience, I've had a few Helicoils over the years that have unscrewed with whatever it was that was screwed into it (I hadn't fitted the Helicoil  ). If you compare the two, the Time Sert is all in one piece & is far superior IMHO 

[Andy H]

An alternative manufacturer of thread inserts (very like Helicoil) are Recoil.

They sell a range of kits including the necessary tools + 10 inserts.

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/recoil-38148-2-replaces-38140-m14-x-125-s-p44137