<VV> Fw: Oops - need advice

[Michael Kovacs]

 MIKE KOVACS



----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Michael Kovacs <kovacsmj at sbcglobal.net>
To: Joe Hennerfeind <hennerfeind_joe at yahoo.com>
Sent: Mon, March 14, 2011 4:09:48 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Oops - need advice

Joe. did you round off the flats on the spark plug? If so, I  wouldn't try to 
get it out.  Did you try tightening it first a just a little? If you get it to 
move out, it just may strip the aluminum and then you'd have to deal with an 
insert in the aluminum head. You might try a 3/4 six point socket to force over 
the 13/16 spark plug. If this does not work, or is really tight trying to turn 
it, I'd go for a machine shop and let them figure out a way. Drilling out the 
center and then heating the aluminum might work once the head is off, and good 
grip is left on the spark plug. i

I guess you know a very light torque is put on the plugs at installation  on a 
COLD engine. A plug with too long a threaded area can carbon up the tip area 
making removal a real problem

MIKE KOVACS



----- Original Message ----
From: Joe Hennerfeind <hennerfeind_joe at yahoo.com>
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Sent: Mon, March 14, 2011 3:25:53 PM
Subject: <VV> Oops - need advice

I don't want to ask this silly question, but I have never had this happen to me 
and need to know the best way to resolve it...I managed to break off a spark 
plug today in my 65 140 even though I had been soaking it for days with 
different products.  Where is the best reference/guide to get the remainder out? 

I have a screw extractor set but have never used it before and I am unsure if 
it will bite into it enough to give me enough torque to try and get the 
remainder out (and if it will put metal shavings down into the cylinder).  I was 

planning on pulling the motor for a reseal anyways, so should i just wait and 
pull the head and take it to a machine shop?  Or maybe just find a good used 
one?  Is there any chance of getting it out while the motor is still in the car 
- I was in the middle of assessing the motor to see if it is still good (I got 
120-130 lb readings with the compression tester in the rest of the cylinders and 

this was the last
cylinder).
Thanks, Joe