I want to thank all who responded to my query about blowing a plug out of an
aluminium
head (yes it was aluminium). I felt, and could see, that there was thread
damage even
though I did manage to put it back in and torque it to 15 ft/lbs. I just
didn't feel
right about allowing my favourite (read only) daughter to drive 400 miles of
highway that
has a total of 6 towns with a gas station, when it's 30 below zero. I also
didn't feel
like letting her do this after I had installed my 1st helicoil. I took the car
to a
local automotive machine shop today. They installed a helicoil for $50
Canadian + 15%
@#$%^ sales tax (about US$40). Seems like a small price to pay for a bit of
piece of
mind. This machine shop (rebuilder) may get a bit of business as I start to do
the
mechanicals on the SI.
I never realized that this could be done with the head on. If I hadn't been in
a hurry
I'd have pulled the head, taken that in and paid the same amount for the coil,
more for a
valve job and a gasket set, all without asking for advice, I hate admitting I
don't know
everything.
Thanks again to everyone. The story has a happy ending.
Al McGregor
B9006487
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