While replacing my timing belt (1990 3.0) I had to bring #1 up on the compression stroke. This is when I found that #1 plug hole was stripped. Only the first 3 or so threads are damaged. Any advice on repairing this without removing the head?
I seen somewhere in a magazine that there is a tool that you insert into the hole than cut threads from the inside out, ever seen one of these?
I just spent $300 on a timing set, pulleys, water pump, etc and now this!

 

http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...o/4212608.html

 

You can use the helicoils but I hae seen the rethreader you talk about and those work good as long as you are careful and get it started straight. If you dont want to go that route, I personally use whats called a timesert. They are much better and stronger than helicoils. Do a search on timeserts and you will find their website. They come in a full kit of drill, tap and driver with inserts. Very high quality

 

black dog 471 for that stripped spark plug hole log into(timesert.com)

 

timeserts > helicoil for sparkplugs

 

helicoil

 

Use a rethreading tool and be carefull about i, should be fine. Otherwise then helicoil it. You may discover that those stripped threads b/c they are at the begining arent really harming anything either.

 

I think this is the correct size...someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Link

 

I just had my stripped spark hole fixed. All he ended up doing was chasing it. Dont use heli coils they come back out, and time serts looks really good but they are expensive.

All in all it's not really that big a deal.