spark plug fell out

[GMLOVER]

I have a 95 lt1 z28. I was driving from work today and all of sudden pow. The car ran like a unbalance washing machine. The number 1 spark plug came out. Upon further inspection, I found out the threads were striped. Has anyone had this problem before? How did you go about fixing it? Thanks for your help.

[Screaming mad]

Yep been there before! You need to take it to a garage to have it helicoiled.. Basically they tap the thread, and screw in a helicoil.. which is a coil of hard metal wire which will be your thread... looks like a spring.. You can do it with the head in place if you can get access? I dont know were cylider 1 is.. Good luck

[pete]

You can buy a heli-coil kit from NAPA, I think its around $25 or so. If you can get the tap to go into the head straight, you'll be fine. Follow the directions that come with it, it can be done, take your time.

[Rob B (shoebox)]

With it being #1, you might have room to repair it without head removal. The problem will be the shavings from cutting new threads. Most can be captured, vacuumed or blown out, though.
Here is how a metal insert can be done (not identical to a Heli-coil).

[pete]

If you load the tap with grease, it will hold the shavings. If you run it with the plug out, it will blow the light aluminum shavings that may remain out also.

[GMLOVER]

Thanks guys, I'll be going to napa in the morning.