Tap & Dies?

[littletoes]

Since my kid cross-threaded the spark-plug in his '87 Honda, I now have an interest in Tap and Dies, AND thread re-storing taps....

sheesh....what a way to learn!

Hope I don't have to go to a heli-coil...

 

[OEXL16B]

What is your question?

 

[Dustin Echoes]

Are you asking how to properly use a tap set? Or how to use a heli-coil?

 

[littletoes]

Do you have any? How complete is your set, and what seems to be the most common application?

For me, I seem to use bottoming taps more often, just to clean up blind holes, and SAE still rules the roost for me. Usually up too 1" for bolts, and 2" for pipe threads. Anything bigger we either weld or groove.

I don't get much experience with aluminum though....and that is what my kid tore threads out of in his Honda. About 2/3 is good, but with the limited access available, the NAPA thread restoring tap doesn't quite fit, so I'll have to find a regular taper tap to clean up the threads....14 x 1.50 I think.

 

[bookittyrun]

bummer. never been in your situation... will chasing crossed threads offer the strength needed to hold a plug under torque, compression, and repeated expansion / contraction? i always assumed heli-coil was the proper fix for this... too bad it's your kid, makes it hard to hold your hands up and back away!

will it run on three cylinders?

 

[Skin]

they make sets specifically for chasing spark plug threads so that none of the chips fall into the cylinder. Cant remember the brand (they were re-branded too) but they were available from the parts stores. I think it was a 3pc set for around $75.

They look something like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BACK-TAP-SP...Parts_Accessories&hash=item20c82173fc&vxp=mtr

Champion sells a spark plug installation tool thats idiot proof, just a long thing of rubber that you stick the plug into then you use that to start the plugs. Its a good tool to get into the habbit of using.

http://www.championsparkplugs.com/more_info.asp?AAIA=&pid=46402

 

[Hetman]

I don't think it would be ok to do it without removing head, it's not a grass trimmer...

If I remember correctly, honda sparks are M14x1,5. When you buy helicoil, you get the whole set, tap will be probably M16x1,5 to fit the inset.

 

[beelsr]

the back tap (2 posts up) is what you want, grease it up to catch the shavings.

both links work for me. the first is a back tap on the bay, the second is the tool you can buy if cutting a piece of fuel hose is too difficult...

 

[bgott]

http://www.tooltopia.com/helicoil-5334-14.aspx

Wipe a lot of grease on the cutter tool before using, this will catch the chips instead of dropping them into the cylinder.

This one won't work on Ford 5.4 engines because the hex head is too big. Someone makes one that has a smaller hex, 5/8" I believe.

 

[rsanter]

You don't want to use a tap as it removes material
They make three restorers for spark plug threads. Us that first

Bob

 

[JASTECH]

+1 Restorer first. I used fuel line many times on the end of spark plugs for hard to get at ones. I think it was "Kal"? that made a bunch of plug restorers. Now that I have a diesel, no sparkies to worry about.

 

[marcusicp]

I would try the thread chaser in the below link first.

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-20200.aspx

Cover it in grease, go slow and work it back and forth. When done adapt a small hose to a shop vac and **** out any chips you may have gotten in the cylinder.

 

[littletoes]

I've tried this one, but to finish the thread, I'll have to pull the exhaust manifold, it doesn't clear it.

That may open up a can of worms too, broken exhaust bolts...

Anyone use anti-seize on spark plugs? One guy made that comment, but I've never done that, too afraid they could work out.

 

[Outlawmws]

I've tried this one, but to finish the thread, I'll have to pull the exhaust manifold, it doesn't clear it.

That may open up a can of worms too, broken exhaust bolts...

Anyone use anti-seize on spark plugs? One guy made that comment, but I've never done that, too afraid they could work out.

Always, esp. with an alum. head...