[Tallballs'02GT]

To hamtoast...I would like to use a timesert..but I don't have that kind of extra money laying around..been having some serious bad luck lately..what is so bad about the helicoil method?

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[Cabikejumper]

I left the head on. From what I've gathered it's only a common problem on the Windsor motor. I guess the romero motor were revised and had a few extra threads added.

Like I said, I didn't have the timesert ( didn't know about it then) but I haven't had any issues with the helicoil. And I've changed the plugs twice now.

[bullitt02875]

Just used the helicoil method over Christmas on a crown Vic. Works perfect the only difference is you don't ream out the hole you just cut new threads. The biggest problem is taking them out when the engines still warm


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[Tallballs'02GT]

ok i think im gonna use the helicoil method..how do i know that its far enough in the spark plug port..i dont want it hitting the piston

[GreyWarrior07]

A helicoil is going to be hit or miss, i did all this research this past summer cause i did the same thing. Some peoples last the time of the car, but most dont. Some blow out with in a 1000 miles. And hopefully it doesnt wreck the hole head if/when it blows out.... Search on craiglist for a Timesirt, you can usually find a used one for half the price.

[Tallballs'02GT]

Alright..I installed the helicoil ..is not really a helicoil..its more like an insert..I heavily put locktite on it and put anti seize on the plug..used heavy grease and didn't drop a spec of aluminum..I did the tapping in 4 steps..lil by lil..less of a chance to drop any shavings..worked beautifully..now we wait and see what happens..i'm gonna check it in about a week to see if its loose..thanks everyone for all the input..its greatly appreciated!

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[03_StangGuy]

Originally Posted by Cabikejumper I've been told: get plugs tight. Then 1/4 turn more and perfect. My plug blew out with 2-3 minutes of owning my gt.

This isnt a great way to do it. Some people are much stronger than other. Im not a big guy myself and when i torque them down i could still easily turn them more with a 3/8 ratchet.

Originally Posted by Cabikejumper Woodman. Thanks for correcting. Ivebeen doing the +1/4 on mine gt for two plugs changes. No issues.

Two changes isnt alot. and you just said you already had a plug blow out so how is it a non issue?

[termi_GT]

The problem with heli-coils is they are bad about pulling out and they do wear out. The time-sert is a more permanent fix.

When you do your plugs be sure to do it with the engine COLD. The biggest issue with them blowing out is people do them with the motor warm or they trq them down too much and stretch the threads. Because of this the plug will eventually rattle loose and blow out.

I am unsure about 96-98 mod motors. But ALL SOHC and DOHC motors from 99-03 have 4 threaded spark plug holes and are notorious for this problem. Ford corrected this problem in 04+ mod-motors by updating the heads with 9 threaded spark plug holes. However I would still not change plugs unless the motor was ICE COLD.

[02gtvortech]

I had a spark plug plug blow out on my 02 gt last year and i found a used timesert kit on ebay for $200 took my time and never had any problems with that plug. my car is supercharged to.the timesert kits are the best ones to use.

[GreyWarrior07]

Originally Posted by 02gtvortech I had a spark plug plug blow out on my 02 gt last year and i found a used timesert kit on ebay for $200 took my time and never had any problems with that plug. my car is supercharged to.the timesert kits are the best ones to use.

Timeserts are the shit, ive heard of people on high horsepower 2 valves actually timesert all there spark plug holes because of how much stronger they are over the stock threads

[raceruler03]

I temporarily installed a heli coil, but eventually got new heads, at least it was a good excuse for me to buy new heads...

[TheTrueBlueGT]

what up dude, if it makes you feel any better...this has happend to me TWICE now! On the same head. Took it to the shop and had it heli-coiled. Such a pain when the plugs break in half and the bottom half has been fused inside the head...pray that doesnt happen to you like it did to me...good luck

[BigEag205]

Originally Posted by HamToast If I'm not mistaken, on the 4.6 SOHC, there are only a few threads in the block for the spark plugs, less than on the DOHC.[/url]

I hope to god the SOHC doesnt have less that the DOHC's lol. I faced this problem mid August in my DOHC and still havent decided which route to take. all 4.6 DOHC heads only had 4 threads for the plugs until what i believe was a Jan 2005 revision on the heads. From what i hear, some late 2004 DOHC heads had this thread revision, but I havent been able to confirm that yet. Im not too sure on SOHC but I personally wouldnt feel comfortable with a helicoil acting as a spark plug thread. Even though you can use locking liquids to lock it in, I'd still be scared of it backing out in plug changes, or blowing back out with the compression of the motor. Heli-coils aren't known to handle compession well for too long from what I've heard. They have a method that's actually ford tech approved, but I've forgotten what exactly its called as i think im going to try and find the revised heads for mine so i dont run into this problem again

[Mineral_Grey_Gt]

Originally Posted by GreyWarrior07 Timeserts are the shit, ive heard of people on high horsepower 2 valves actually timesert all there spark plug holes because of how much stronger they are over the stock threads

+1 my GT has a timecert fix for a blown out spark plug.

[03_StangGuy]

Originally Posted by GreyWarrior07 Timeserts are the shit, ive heard of people on high horsepower 2 valves actually timesert all there spark plug holes because of how much stronger they are over the stock threads

I have all mine done. It was the same price to do them all when my heads were being done as to have it done if one blew out. Think it was like $10 a plug? not bad and cant hurt with 15 psi.