[jrock]

ok the shop says my 3rd cylinder spark plug blew out and i mite need a new head and intake. what u guys think. how much do u think they are going to charge me

[Patrick@LCR]

I don't think you'll need a new head, and 99.99999% sure you won't need an intake. The only way I'd see it would be if it shot that spark out with a tremendous force which is possible, but not likely at all.

They should try to helicoil the head so you can toss that spark back in.

[jrock]

they said they cant get the spark plug to tighten down. so how much do u think my bill is going to be

[Randy Stinchcomb]

well considering a new head is @$800.00 or more, an intake is @$400.00, but I gotta' ask,why does this job require a new intake????...........labor is @10 hrs at whatever there shop labor rate is, so it's gonna' cost a bunch....now a low buck fix for the threads in the head is a product called Time-Sert (++ TIME-SERT Threaded inserts for stripped threads, threaded inserts, thread repair stripped sparkplug's, Ford sparkplug blowouts, threaded inserts threaded, repair stripped threads, stripped threads, inserts threaded inserts, Ford spark plug repair,) and I can help wth the cost of the intake

[jrock]

they think it mite of cracked

[AndrewA.]

Originally Posted by Patrick@LCR I don't think you'll need a new head, and 99.99999% sure you won't need an intake. The only way I'd see it would be if it shot that spark out with a tremendous force which is possible, but not likely at all. They should try to helicoil the head so you can toss that spark back in.

Yep that helicoil fixed me right up. I think mine blew out as hard as it could stripped the threads on the head and tore the boot all up.

[Patrick@LCR]

OP, if you're familiar with Helicoil, here's their site.

Helicoil | Heli-Coil | Helicoil Insert | Thread Repair Kits | Wire Thread Insert | Helicoil Manufacturers | Helicoil Suppler

[Randy Stinchcomb]

just a tip;
if the head(s) and engine are staying in the car, go wth the Time-Sert as a Heli-Coil is best suited for use when the heads are off....

[jivepepper]

Originally Posted by Randy Stinchcomb just a tip; if the head(s) and engine are staying in the car, go wth the Time-Sert as a Heli-Coil is best suited for use when the heads are off....

I called on you first thread on this subject.

+1 The timesert is more expensive but a far better solution with the heads in or out of the car, This happen to me and I went with a triton timesert kit especially made for the modulars. It's really easy to use and effective.

The time serts are used on race heads because they are actually tougher, and stronger than the orginal threads.

The helicoils look fragile in comparison to the time inserts.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

Originally Posted by jivepepper I called on you first thread on this subject. +1 The timesert is more expensive but a far better solution with the heads in or out of the car, This happen to me and I went with a triton timesert kit especially made for the modulars. It's really easy to use and effective. The time serts are used on race heads because they are actually tougher, and stronger than the orginal threads. The helicoils look fragile in comparison to the time inserts.

George???

[00redgt]

i used the save a thread on mine an has done just well...but u dont need a new head.just re tap it.u dont need a new intake because the plug has nothing to do with that....sounds like ur shop doesnt know to much about retapping

[jivepepper]

Originally Posted by Randy Stinchcomb George???

Yep been using the same user name at all the sites. I have probably joined 40+ car sites since I bought this car 8 years ago lol.

[jrock]

ok thanks everyone so could anything got damaged when it blew out

[jivepepper]

Originally Posted by jrock ok thanks everyone so could anything got damaged when it blew out

Have you even looked under the hood? I figure probably just the threads and maybe a coil but I doubt that.

[00redgt]

when mine blew out the only thing it hurt was the threads on the plug an the head,.an it broke the coil where the screw holds its down, there is noway it can hurt ur intake.

[Patrick@LCR]

well, anything's always possible, especially if you believe in JFK's magic bullet theory. Not likely at all though.

However, it is possible that the stock intake is cracked, which was an annoying issue with the 96-98 GT's. I am pretty sure that was taken care of when the switch was made to the PI intakes from 99 and on.

[limited]

I have a kit that alcoa makes,used many times at work(yes the 6.8's and 5.4's fail also). costs like $70 and can do it with heads on car. much better than a helicoil

Usually the only damage is the coil that breaks at the mount bolt

[jivepepper]

Originally Posted by limited Usually the only damage is the coil that breaks at the mount bolt

Mine blew out at wot in 4th 6k and around 127mph. It took out the threads and the boot. The spark plug was a little embedded in the intake where it tried to squeak by.

What also sucked was I ran my best 1/8 and 1/8 trap that run and still coasted through at 11.1 at 124. This was in the summer at a track that was 800ft higher than the track I did my previous best. I'm sure that run would have been at least in the 10.8's at 130+. I was hoping for mid 10's this winter. But I just now figured out what was causing me to lean out 7 and 8 plugs causing 8 to get shot out. Considering I also melted number 7, I did pretty good on 6 cylinders lol.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

Originally Posted by Patrick@LCR However, it is possible that the stock intake is cracked, which was an annoying issue with the 96-98 GT's. I am pretty sure that was taken care of when the switch was made to the PI intakes from 99 and on.

just a correction:
the cracking intake was at the coolant cross-over and was not fixxed untill the later in the 2001 model year which had the aluminum x-over on it, pre 2001 all plastic/nylon intakes were still an issue....

[Derek@DRI]

Originally Posted by Patrick@LCR I don't think you'll need a new head, and 99.99999% sure you won't need an intake. The only way I'd see it would be if it shot that spark out with a tremendous force which is possible, but not likely at all. They should try to helicoil the head so you can toss that spark back in.

+1