Looking for a Spark Plug rethread kit for 2006 5.4 Triton

[737mechanic]

My neighbor has a 2006 F-150 that wanted help changing his plugs. I informed him of the problem with the plugs breaking off in the head but he was willing to give it a go. We broke 3 out of 8. We found a O'Reilly auto parts that would loan us the Lisle Extractor tool. The tool had a lot of wear on it but looked like it would get the job done. It extracted the first plug with no problem but on the second one it screwed up the spark plug threads. After looking at the tool we realized it had worn threads and was not able to grip the entire surface of each thread.

I have been looking high and low for a thread chaser for this engine which is M16x1.5 thread. I have had no luck.

I have found thread repair kits online for $250.00 and up. Is there any other options other than the thread repair kit to get this thing back on the road.

 

[jetdawg]

Helicoil makes a kit for about 140 bucks, but I can't think of any other solution.

 

[BFHtime]

I did some research for a similar issue and found timesert to be the best as far as internet research, there are several companies out there that make similar devices/kits. Check timesert before pulling the trigger.

 

[BFHtime]

http://www.timesert.com

 

[1foxracing]

According to this guy the Lisle tool is on it's 3rd revision so you might want to be sure you are using the latest version.

Here is another guy the whipped up a home brew version. Doesn't seem like the best solution but if you're low on cash.....

I'm no car mechanic ( work on motorcycles) and don't think I would attempt either of them. I do enjoy watching these type of video's though to see how people work through this common problem.

 

[Shadowdog500]

If you just need a thread chaser and can't find one just take a Dremel to an old spark plug and make your own thread chaser.

See image on this link
http://imageshack.com/i/15vxj

If you wiped out the plugs, timesert is the way to go.

Chris

 

[WhiffySpark]

How did you screw up the spark plug threads in the head with the extractor?

 

[737mechanic]

The threads got screwed because the first tool we rented from the parts house had lots of wear on it but we figured it would work fine and it did on the first hole but not the second.

The second tool he bought new and it worked like a charm. After comparing the tools you could really see how much wear the rented one actually had.