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there is probably a reason why you havent seen them, this tool looks liike it will make more problem, this tool looks like it will snap off in the head lol. use a regular tap and air gun you will be fine
Your claim needs challenging. The tool he shows has to be made of say tool steel. He's retreading aluminium. I gather you are completely familiar with the properties of each metal. Moreover, he states to take caution when turning the tool to avoid breakage he explains that very well. So to conclude you are adamant this tool will break. Have you used this tool as Tom suggested. If not, your claim is baseless, you wrote it out of ignorance or jealousy. I'm a Metallurgist and unless you are an expert on tool steel usage in machineing your comment is nonsense. Care to comment ?@@CoUldNotFindAName123
One thing the USAF taught me in a year of technical school working on expensive aircraft parts was put the bolt into position, turn counterclockwise until you feel the item 'snap' into place when the threads are aligned, start threading by hand and then tighten. Too many people just try to thread something into place and easily crossthreading. I have never seen this tool. There's a rule I like to follow - Design your repairs and projects around the tools you want to buy. I need one of these! Real bad.
This is a good rule when reassembling plastic items too. Always turn the screw counter clockwise till you feel it click into the existing thread that's been cut in the screw post. That way you're not putting any extra stress on the plastic post which can break, especially in an older device.
May I add…. Don’t use high torque tools like impacts to break bolts loose or use power tools to start a bolt or nut! K.I.S.S!! I don’t care what people do honestly I just hate fixing people’s screw ups!! Lol
The ONLY rule of thumb when installing a spark plug is to turn it in by hand first or at least just use the socket with your extension, if it doesn't go in with just your fingers, you're doing it wrong. However, this tool is awesome to see.
Absolutely right! I turn back the hardware / plugs anticlockwise until I feel them drop a thread / click in place, then I know it’s aligned, then I go clockwise back in. I also use a tube designed for starting plugs, though I can’t remember the brand now.
@@VintageEngineRepairs I was always advised to use a chunk of rubber hose over the porcelain part, or an old spark plug boot for OHV that fits just tightly enough to turn it to start it, but slips if it encounters resistance. I've seen tools that use the same principle, but not cheaper than a half foot (or, 15cm in science units) of hose or a cut off part of that spark plug wire you were going to toss anyway. All great ideas if they save you time, effort, bloody knuckles, and cursing at inanimate objects in my estimation.
@@lizard944 It was the ONLY way in my '99 Cavalier Z24 (terrible engine that used a lot of oil and had a balance shaft in the way of the splash lube potential so ... I tore it up like only a young guy who just got a good paying job can. Hard life lesson learned.)
I’ve been an Aviation Technician for over 30 years, service my own cars regularly, and never have I once ever cross threaded anything. I don’t understand how people do this. Start the fastener by hand and if it feels like is binding, then back it off, check the thread and start again. Don’t just grab a ratchet and “make” it fit!
To avoid stripping try this trick. Push down on the plug bolt or nut and turn it backwards. You should feel a click as the start of the threads pass each other. Now you're aligned to start going forward. If it's too greasy to feel the click clean it with WD or carb cleaner. Of course always start things by hand as wrenches and pneumatic tools will not give you any feel and the damage will be done.
My dad taught me this when I was something like 10, 11 years old working on motorcycles. Also to never start any thread using tools, always hand start first. I have never stripped any plug, screw or nut over 5 decades.
Use that technique with self tapping screws into plastic housings. Always pick up the original thread, don't create a new one in the plastic and you will be able to remove and refit many times over without stripping.
These work perfectly. About 20 years ago, I cross threaded one of the plug entries on my TVR, in the worst possible location, where it was really hard to access. Was really looking at removing the head with all that entails. On one of the TVR sites, I explained the situation, and an extremely kind chap from around Bristol way, if memory serves, offered to send me one of these FOC. This he did, and with much trepidation I put it to work. BINGO!!!! Perfect result first time. On return of the tool I gave him the price of a few beers, as the time and effort it saved were immense. Because normally the damaged thread is near or at the top, this device goes beyond that and out the other side. When you expand the tap it is normally coming up to a clean thread and basically taps the hole backwards, encountering the damaged thread well into the tap's travel. Excellent tool, which i never knew existed until that kind person offered me it.
A few years ago I bought a used Jeep. Changed the plugs and found a stripped thread. Bought this tool. Worked great! A little hard to find, but well worth it
As.a teenager an old experienced mechanic told me how to handle threads nuts and bolts ,especially on fuel and brake lines plus oil pans. 60 years later, I'm glad I followed his advice. Saved many problems
Just another reason why a rubber hose as a spark plug starter work! Great video Tom. That older green engine you had running looks like a great restoration
I’ve been using a spark plug wire boot shoved onto the end of a punch to start plugs for the past 30 years. I also removed the rubber from inside of my spark plug sockets and I haven’t broken a plug since.
Hi, nice tool. I'm looking for a tool that I can use on a vintage fiat ducato 1,9 turbo diesel engine named A280.A1.000 from 1993 to either pull out the dieselinjector liner in the engine top or make new threads with a bigger back thread tools like the one u show in video. Se that on amazon they have two versions of tool 12mm and 14mm how much can u maximize the size to on yours? I think I need prx 22mm to fix my threads. I have got a new threaded liner but hard to get the old out. Trying to find the right tool to do the job. Thinking if I found a links thread tap that can expand like the bolt in video i could use that to manage to screw the old liner out? Any good suggestions are very much appriciated and thanks in advance for all helpful hints and tricks
WOW! I'm not doing alot of work for people these days being almost retired. I have never broken off a sparkplug nor have I crossthreaded one but I WANT ONE OF THESE TOOLS. WHAT A FANTASTIC MIND THAT THOUGHT THIS OUT! Thank you VER.
Great tool, this saved my $$$$ Ford Racing engine I bought 2nd hand from a moron, he had cross threaded #5 and used taper seat spark plugs where gasket seat are required. I had to remove the header to allow access to the hole, then I greased it up, put it in, tightened it fully and backed it out. All good!
I was working on my 04 Dora the explorer 4.0 and crossthreaded the hard to see plug on the rear passenger side and was about to shop it until I did some research and found this tool ordered from Amazon and it fixed my life. This little tool is pure genius and works like a charm.
Brilliant product and presentation, thank you. To be honest, when I saw the video thumbnail I thought it was a timing tool which I've made before. Sometimes you suspect a timing mark on a flywheel is wrong. To verify on ohv / ohc engine, knock the ceramic centre out of a spark-plug and add a aluminium insert instead, sticking out an extra 10mm or so. With engine near bottom dead centre, insert by hand the spark plug tool. Carefully wind the engine until piston one kisses the tool. Mark the flywheel from the fixed timing mark. Wind the engine back the other way, touch, mark. With a pair of dividers / verniers / rule, find centre-point of your two marks. That is definitely an accurate top dead centre relative to the fixed timing mark. This is a good method if either the flywheel has been swapped in the past ir the fixed timing mark lost: you can add a new fixed timing mark wherever you like and use the above to make a new flywheel TDC reference.
Well that is a bad ass little tool there! I've never had an issue chasing threads and packing grease on the tap but I like the theory behind this one and think I'm adding it to my tool box.
Yes, this is a must have tool. I got careless changing plugs on a six cylinder outboard marine engine cross threading the new plug and damaging the threaded hole quite badly. This tool saved me. Great little invention.
Cool. I have worked on cars for about 25yrs. I am a DIY mechanic with no formal training. I sold parts for a while and that's about it. But I had a lot of mechanic friends to learn from. Tools like this are life savers. A tip for the spark plug hole. Have a Datavac used for computers with the long thin plastic tip. You can set that on full power and slowly go into the spark plug hole and suck out any leftover shavings. Also good to do it before removing the plugs, vacuum up any dirt or whatever around the plug so when you remove it, nothing falls in.
It does make perfect sense!! It’s using the tail end of the threads to chase but in reverse!! The person that came up with this idea has outsmarted probably almost every grease monkey ever! I’m sold where are they available from or at?
I've always used a straight, short piece of hose for starting spark plugs. You need a diameter which will fit over the porcelain just snuggly enough to hold it. The hose won't allow the amount of torque required to damage the threads, so if you're threads aren't aligned properly, it will slip. Once you get a few turns, you can safely switch to a spark plug socket.
Yes :) just the same here, I use a hose, turn the plug anti clockwise until it clicks and then turn clockwise- I haven’t mis aligned any threads with one, though I have had a friend who has!
Thanks for describing the “hose trick” because a lot of comments mentioned it, but didn’t say WTF it was! Adding the description makes all the difference in the world.
I've had one of these for about 20 years. Only used it a couple of times, once because of my mistake and once to repair someone else's. It more than paid for itself.
Great idea! I learned long ago not to get myself in those situations, but there will always be repairs on other people's stuff. I have standard & metric taps/dies & many thread files, thread pitch gauges, rethreaders for clean-up & a lathe & mill. I've even made a few taps myself. And have many threaded inserts, heli-coils etc. Being proficient at properly installing a heli-coil could be entire video as theres only one correct way , and when done properly it will last firever.This expandable design never occurred to me as I always got the job done. But I like knowing it exists. Thank you
They do make a thread repair kit that can be done with the head on. It is not a heli coil, it is a bushing threaded inside and out installed like a heli coil. You install it with loctite and also stake it in place. I packed the flutes with grease to catch the chips but it is a slow process because they quickly eat up the grease so you have to go in and out many times. Still worth it. The ones I have seen/done have held for many years and many hours.
Well said Mate! Good on you for posting this. Trained as a machinist in the Navy. I worked in different machine shops. Job shop machining new parts and several automotive machine shops. It was in the automotive machine shops that we would see chewed up threads and many broken fasteners. Slow is to way to go. All the best and may God bless.
@@VintageEngineRepairs It is indeed a great tool, and the sort of thing we might have made back in my toolmaker days, some time in the last century. But Where can you get it from? Did I miss that bit? Please post the link if you have one. Thank you for sharing. Edit: Just watched your vid again and I see you mentioned the maker POWERBUILT. Just Googled it: £30, and apparently Sealey do one for £17. I don’t normally like Sealey, but they do appear to be the same product. Shop around I guess. A set with multiple sizes would be a good option.
Got an old mower that someone had cross threaded. Spark plug shot out and it got completely stripped. I just took a piece of flat steel, drilled a couple of holes, made some notches with the angle grinder and then used it to strap down the spark plug, using the cylinder head bolts to hold it down. It worked.
@@VintageEngineRepairs The scrap steel i used had some springiness to it so i was able to get some decent pressure on the plug and it ran fine. Sounds dumb but it worked and it was free. It was just an 3.5hp b&s engine so nothing special
Great video, I have used this tool, it’s wonderful. Very reasonably priced, one of those tools not used very often like lisle spark plug remover but a lifesaver to have on hand. One tip, rotate engine to close valves as best you can, blow out cylinder with compressed air with an extension to reach inside before and after removing tool and after cleaning and spraying down.
Excellent job with the DETAILS of adjusting the rod/tightness as you come back with the tap! By NOT forcing this tool, I should think that would help avoid breakage complaints that appear online...Great thorough job!
Nifty little tool but after nearly 50 years of DIY wrenching on power equipment, motorcycles and cars, I have never had any issues with threaded components simply because I have the feel or the knack. If I am trying to clean-up the threads to get rid of carbon, I put grease in the flutes of a tap to grab any grit and then clean out the threads with lacquor thinner on a bottle brush.
I had a bum spark plug hole in my airplane engine and this tool saved my ass !!!!! It took many passes in and out to get the threads cleaned up , but in the end it worked.
Looks like a nice tool! I learned you can make a couple of vertical cuts in an old plug threads (Or use a tap, if you have one.) to use as a cleaner for the head threads. The crud will accumulate in the grooves which can be wire brushed out and then used until it comes out clean. On certain engines that run "cool", I use a tiny amount of Anti-Seize paste on the threads. Some people say don't do it, but it has always worked great for me. I don't ever remember seeing a spark plug up in the opening like the one shown in this video, but I am not a "pro" mechanic.
That's a great tool. I assumed the end was going to be a magnet to help catch swarf on iron heads. Maybe a magnet stuck on the end would be a good upgrade.
I got one of those from Amazon and use it on my Harley-Davidson I pulled the spark plug out while it was still hot messed up the threads on aluminum head this work really nice and easy and quick didn't have to pull the head off or anything make sure you put grease on the threads before you put it in there so the metal shaving stick to the grease
Came to comment exactly the same. The 80’s were full of helping friends who’d broke spark plugs in situ and then the monster job of sorting. This tool would have been my best friend. 😂
Backyard mechanic. I am NOT tempting the Tinker Gods by saying "I never"... Awesome idea for a tool you'll want handy if needed. Thank you for the tip! Got yourself a subb. And the tourque wrench calibration vid is next. Found these on Amazool in 12+14mm. Guys working on GMs have used either with good results. Grabbing one myself. What I've always done is use a length of hose to install a plug using fingers only and turn counter clockwise first slow+gentle so the plug thread drops right into the sweet spot. Then turn slowly clockwise with gravity only. If it isn't lined up exactly it'll catch. Hard to X thread that way but the hose will flex if it does instead of buggering the seat threads. Wearing nitrile gloves. Copper anti-seize is really nasty stuff. Nickel is probably just as bad. Thanks again.👍
Thank you for the sub! Glad the video resonated with you, it’s certainly a handy tool and very satisfying to use 🤣 everything you’ve said is exactly what I do, the tube, the anticlockwise turn, then clockwise :)
That looks like a great tool to have on hand. All I would change is instead of grease on the threads I would use anti-seize. Just a little additional insurance when chasing bad threads.
Interesting! Though I’m not sure if it would be necessary? Either way, whatever you prefer. I use antiseize with extreme caution for fear of ending up covered in it like the Tinman from the wizard of Oz. Haha
@@VintageEngineRepairs The anti-seize is just some insurance that the threads, particularly in aluminum, dont gall up when chased. But yes, that stuff seems to find itself on my hands, tools, the parts, my clothes, etc.
Brilliant, thanks! Yes, we ALL know how to install threaded parts correctly. But, there are folks out there who should NEVER be allowed near tools. This video shows how to clean up one particular type of mess caused by a well-intentioned but unskilled/inexperienced DIYer.
This is why you ALWAYS rotate threaded fasteners/plugs counter to tightening direction until you feel/hear the threads align. Learned this in Navy basic training during fire fighting class. If you cross-thread the fittings on the hose fittings & nozzles out in the middle of the ocean while fighting a fire you're gonna be REAL popular with your shipmates in those final moments.
Nope. There is no need to "watch" anything. But you MUST "FEEL" the thread tools. You must FEEL any thread tool that you are using. This is super-essential that you FEEL the tool doing its work. The "feeling" is developed with experience, after you practice on few junk threads, ruin few threads with the tool, etc.
Great video Tom, have used these many times, tho for really damaged threads, you will need to do a more permanent repair, but for those first 3 or so crossed threads from ignorant assembly, they are very useful.
I accidentally crossed my threads on dirt bike and bought two of these tools one for smaller size spark plugs and the other for larger size plug, only took about fifteen minutes and I was putting a new spark plug in and good to go!
I found out about this tool a month or so ago. Had just bolted my heads on my LS and dropped the engine in. Well, one plug hole was messed up. It fixed me right up. ARES and Powerbuilt make one.
I agree that a spark plugs should be started GENTLY - if it's too deep for fingers to reach, use a piece of rubber hose or vinyl tubing. Turning it backwards to locate the start of the threads is a good idea. But if you do all that and STILL strip the threads, this tool is awesome. I've ordered one in the hope that I never have to use it!
Spark plugs today are thin walled and very easy tp snap off if tension ed to tight or not changed regularly. Asnapped off plug in a nissan xtrail is a nightmare down in a 😊6 inch tube but this tool once the porceline and the thread base are romoved is a life saver,the problem getting the base out removes a small a amount of white metal which blocks the top of the thread in the cylinder head, this tool will if you take your time remove most of the white metal, this happened to me, I purchased 1 from a firm in Sydney Australia,the devise is manufactured in USA 🇺🇸.My etrail is now running very smoothly. New plugs very little tension and use appropriate pastewhen installing plugs. Australia 🇦🇺
Buy The Powerbuilt Backtap tool here: amzn.to/49I9305
Any links to products are likely to affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, with no additional costs to you. Thank you!
Sixty years of working on small engines and I’ve never seen this ingenious tool. Thanks so much for sharing!
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it :)
there is probably a reason why you havent seen them, this tool looks liike it will make more problem, this tool looks like it will snap off in the head lol. use a regular tap and air gun you will be fine
@@CoUldNotFindAName123 That's just your baseless opinion, man.
Your claim needs challenging.
The tool he shows has to be made of say tool steel. He's retreading aluminium. I gather you are completely familiar with the properties of each metal. Moreover, he states to take caution when turning the tool to avoid breakage he explains that very well.
So to conclude you are adamant this tool will break. Have you used this tool as Tom suggested. If not, your claim is baseless, you wrote it out of ignorance or jealousy. I'm a Metallurgist and unless you are an expert on tool steel usage in machineing your comment is nonsense. Care to comment ?@@CoUldNotFindAName123
Its a shame that I didnt make mine commercial, I made one 15 years ago
One thing the USAF taught me in a year of technical school working on expensive aircraft parts was put the bolt into position, turn counterclockwise until you feel the item 'snap' into place when the threads are aligned, start threading by hand and then tighten. Too many people just try to thread something into place and easily crossthreading. I have never seen this tool. There's a rule I like to follow - Design your repairs and projects around the tools you want to buy. I need one of these! Real bad.
Very true! Couldn’t agree more, well said! :)
@@VintageEngineRepairs Thanks for the kind reply. Blessings.
Discovered this by accident after many years of cross threading, best advice for avoiding the problem.
This is a good rule when reassembling plastic items too. Always turn the screw counter clockwise till you feel it click into the existing thread that's been cut in the screw post. That way you're not putting any extra stress on the plastic post which can break, especially in an older device.
May I add…. Don’t use high torque tools like impacts to break bolts loose or use power tools to start a bolt or nut! K.I.S.S!! I don’t care what people do honestly I just hate fixing people’s screw ups!! Lol
The ONLY rule of thumb when installing a spark plug is to turn it in by hand first or at least just use the socket with your extension, if it doesn't go in with just your fingers, you're doing it wrong.
However, this tool is awesome to see.
Golden rule for all fasteners.
Absolutely right! I turn back the hardware / plugs anticlockwise until I feel them drop a thread / click in place, then I know it’s aligned, then I go clockwise back in. I also use a tube designed for starting plugs, though I can’t remember the brand now.
@@VintageEngineRepairs I was always advised to use a chunk of rubber hose over the porcelain part, or an old spark plug boot for OHV that fits just tightly enough to turn it to start it, but slips if it encounters resistance. I've seen tools that use the same principle, but not cheaper than a half foot (or, 15cm in science units) of hose or a cut off part of that spark plug wire you were going to toss anyway. All great ideas if they save you time, effort, bloody knuckles, and cursing at inanimate objects in my estimation.
@@kdawson020279 I was just going to add this too. Old school trick that is pretty much mandatory for aluminum cylinder heads.
@@lizard944 It was the ONLY way in my '99 Cavalier Z24 (terrible engine that used a lot of oil and had a balance shaft in the way of the splash lube potential so ... I tore it up like only a young guy who just got a good paying job can. Hard life lesson learned.)
I’ve been an Aviation Technician for over 30 years, service my own cars regularly, and never have I once ever cross threaded anything. I don’t understand how people do this. Start the fastener by hand and if it feels like is binding, then back it off, check the thread and start again. Don’t just grab a ratchet and “make” it fit!
Some people can break an anvil :)
I agree, I’m a patient man and I see people tackle problems like a bull at a gate and damage things like Ikea and such.
I could think of situation when you overtight spark plug to aluminium head.
If you’re cross threading plugs then you should NOT call yourself a mechanic
@@racerdude7149 my customer doesn’t call himself one, but I fix his mistakes lol
To avoid stripping try this trick.
Push down on the plug bolt or nut and turn it backwards.
You should feel a click as the start of the threads pass each other.
Now you're aligned to start going forward.
If it's too greasy to feel the click clean it with WD or carb cleaner.
Of course always start things by hand as wrenches and pneumatic tools will not give you any feel and the damage will be done.
Hey :) yes that’s exactly how I do it too, I also use a tube that slides onto the porcelain and go by hand 👍
Feeling the beginning of a thread by turning backwards also works with wood screws and self tappers into plastic.
Was going to post exactly this.
My dad taught me this when I was something like 10, 11 years old working on motorcycles. Also to never start any thread using tools, always hand start first. I have never stripped any plug, screw or nut over 5 decades.
Use that technique with self tapping screws into plastic housings. Always pick up the original thread, don't create a new one in the plastic and you will be able to remove and refit many times over without stripping.
These work perfectly. About 20 years ago, I cross threaded one of the plug entries on my TVR, in the worst possible location, where it was really hard to access. Was really looking at removing the head with all that entails. On one of the TVR sites, I explained the situation, and an extremely kind chap from around Bristol way, if memory serves, offered to send me one of these FOC. This he did, and with much trepidation I put it to work. BINGO!!!! Perfect result first time. On return of the tool I gave him the price of a few beers, as the time and effort it saved were immense. Because normally the damaged thread is near or at the top, this device goes beyond that and out the other side. When you expand the tap it is normally coming up to a clean thread and basically taps the hole backwards, encountering the damaged thread well into the tap's travel. Excellent tool, which i never knew existed until that kind person offered me it.
That’s awesome, glad you had good success too ;)
He explained it works from inside out-
A few years ago I bought a used Jeep. Changed the plugs and found a stripped thread. Bought this tool. Worked great! A little hard to find, but well worth it
Ah that’s awesome, good stuff :)
As.a teenager an old experienced mechanic told me how to handle threads nuts and bolts ,especially on fuel and brake lines plus oil pans. 60 years later, I'm glad I followed his advice. Saved many problems
👍🏻👍🏻
Just another reason why a rubber hose as a spark plug starter work! Great video Tom. That older green engine you had running looks like a great restoration
Yeah I love my little silicone hoses, super handy! :) thanks! I’m really proud of it 👍👍
Same here. I have a hunk of rubber hose dedicated for starting spark plugs gently. That tool is pretty nifty though.
I’ve been using a spark plug wire boot shoved onto the end of a punch to start plugs for the past 30 years. I also removed the rubber from inside of my spark plug sockets and I haven’t broken a plug since.
Hi, nice tool. I'm looking for a tool that I can use on a vintage fiat ducato 1,9 turbo
diesel engine named A280.A1.000 from 1993 to either pull out the dieselinjector liner in the engine top or make new threads with a bigger back thread tools like the one u show in video. Se that on amazon they have two versions of tool 12mm and 14mm how much can u maximize the size to on yours? I think I need prx 22mm to fix my threads. I have got a new threaded liner but hard to get the old out. Trying to find the right tool to do the job. Thinking if I found a links thread tap that can expand like the bolt in video i could use that to manage to screw the old liner out? Any good suggestions are very much appriciated and thanks in advance for all helpful hints and tricks
Good job showing how that thread chaser works.
Thanks mate :) do you have one in your tool box?
@@VintageEngineRepairs I do and have used it successfully although it won't perform miracles:-)
Hmm yeah I tried to stick it into an engine with a broken connecting rod waiting for it to fix it, didn’t work! Hehe 😜
it's very rare do you see a video title like this that isn't just scamming you into clicking the video. thanks for the info
That’s very kind, I try and keep my content exciting, well made but also factual and to the point without all the unnecessary blabbering!
WOW! I'm not doing alot of work for people these days being almost retired. I have never broken off a sparkplug nor have I crossthreaded one but I WANT ONE OF THESE TOOLS. WHAT A FANTASTIC MIND THAT THOUGHT THIS OUT! Thank you VER.
Glad you enjoyed the video and found the tool interesting! :)
I'll probably never need it but I want it, just in case. Remember. He who dies with the most tools wins.
Hahaha very true LOL. Not expensive either :)
Great tool, this saved my $$$$ Ford Racing engine I bought 2nd hand from a moron, he had cross threaded #5 and used taper seat spark plugs where gasket seat are required. I had to remove the header to allow access to the hole, then I greased it up, put it in, tightened it fully and backed it out. All good!
Awesome! Nice save :)
I was working on my 04 Dora the explorer 4.0 and crossthreaded the hard to see plug on the rear passenger side and was about to shop it until I did some research and found this tool ordered from Amazon and it fixed my life. This little tool is pure genius and works like a charm.
Awesome to hear! Good stuff :)
Brilliant product and presentation, thank you.
To be honest, when I saw the video thumbnail I thought it was a timing tool which I've made before.
Sometimes you suspect a timing mark on a flywheel is wrong. To verify on ohv / ohc engine, knock the ceramic centre out of a spark-plug and add a aluminium insert instead, sticking out an extra 10mm or so.
With engine near bottom dead centre, insert by hand the spark plug tool. Carefully wind the engine until piston one kisses the tool. Mark the flywheel from the fixed timing mark.
Wind the engine back the other way, touch, mark.
With a pair of dividers / verniers / rule, find centre-point of your two marks. That is definitely an accurate top dead centre relative to the fixed timing mark.
This is a good method if either the flywheel has been swapped in the past ir the fixed timing mark lost: you can add a new fixed timing mark wherever you like and use the above to make a new flywheel TDC reference.
Yes I can see why it looks like a piston stop! Haha :) thanks for watching!
Top dead center tool 😉
I have a lot of mechanics tools collected over the decades but never saw one like this. That is slick !
I wish I designed it lol!
Well that is a bad ass little tool there! I've never had an issue chasing threads and packing grease on the tap but I like the theory behind this one and think I'm adding it to my tool box.
Awesome, glad you enjoyed the video, It’s gotten me out of a few tricky situations! amzn.to/49I9305
Yes, this is a must have tool. I got careless changing plugs on a six cylinder outboard marine engine cross threading the new plug and damaging the threaded hole quite badly. This tool saved me. Great little invention.
Great to hear! :)
Cool. I have worked on cars for about 25yrs. I am a DIY mechanic with no formal training. I sold parts for a while and that's about it. But I had a lot of mechanic friends to learn from.
Tools like this are life savers.
A tip for the spark plug hole. Have a Datavac used for computers with the long thin plastic tip. You can set that on full power and slowly go into the spark plug hole and suck out any leftover shavings. Also good to do it before removing the plugs, vacuum up any dirt or whatever around the plug so when you remove it, nothing falls in.
Thanks for sharing that tip! Glad you enjoyed the video 👍
It does make perfect sense!! It’s using the tail end of the threads to chase but in reverse!! The person that came up with this idea has outsmarted probably almost every grease monkey ever! I’m sold where are they available from or at?
Haha so true! Here is a link on Amazon for you :) amzn.to/49I9305
I've always used a straight, short piece of hose for starting spark plugs. You need a diameter which will fit over the porcelain just snuggly enough to hold it. The hose won't allow the amount of torque required to damage the threads, so if you're threads aren't aligned properly, it will slip. Once you get a few turns, you can safely switch to a spark plug socket.
Fingers work on a lot of the old stuff. A lot of these new engines, the spark plugs are at the bottom of a 6" hole.
Yes :) just the same here, I use a hose, turn the plug anti clockwise until it clicks and then turn clockwise- I haven’t mis aligned any threads with one, though I have had a friend who has!
Thanks for describing the “hose trick” because a lot of comments mentioned it, but didn’t say WTF it was!
Adding the description makes all the difference in the world.
I've had one of these for about 20 years. Only used it a couple of times, once because of my mistake and once to repair someone else's. It more than paid for itself.
That’s awesome :) i have enjoyed using mine!
Great idea! I learned long ago not to get myself in those situations, but there will always be repairs on other people's stuff. I have standard & metric taps/dies & many thread files, thread pitch gauges, rethreaders for clean-up & a lathe & mill. I've even made a few taps myself. And have many threaded inserts, heli-coils etc. Being proficient at properly installing a heli-coil could be entire video as theres only one correct way , and when done properly it will last firever.This expandable design never occurred to me as I always got the job done. But I like knowing it exists. Thank you
Thanks for sharing, glad you enjoyed the video!
50+ years in the auto parts business and working with mechanics. I've never seen tjs tool........I want one !!
Haha awesome :) here is my affiliate link if you like, takes you to Amazon: amzn.to/49I9305
i’ve been using these tools since the 90’s. i purchased mine at NAPA
Nice :)
I can see that being useful for MULTIPLE applications. I will be looking into it.
I agree, very handy!
Amazing tool that I was not aware of! Thanks again for this informative video.
Glad you enjoyed it! It’s worked flawlessly
For me!
Finally, someone who uses a Crescent wrench / shifting spanner correctly! Good video, great product and advise.
Thanks for the kind words, haha yes, there is a right and wrong way to use one that many don’t realise. I may even do a short video on it!
They do make a thread repair kit that can be done with the head on. It is not a heli coil, it is a bushing threaded inside and out installed like a heli coil. You install it with loctite and also stake it in place. I packed the flutes with grease to catch the chips but it is a slow process because they quickly eat up the grease so you have to go in and out many times. Still worth it. The ones I have seen/done have held for many years and many hours.
That’s great, thanks for sharing :)
Well said Mate! Good on you for posting this. Trained as a machinist in the Navy. I worked in different machine shops. Job shop machining new parts and several automotive machine shops. It was in the automotive machine shops that we would see chewed up threads and many broken fasteners. Slow is to way to go. All the best and may God bless.
Thank you for your kind words glad you enjoyed the video! :) May God bless you too mate.
I bought one a few years ago to use on my Colorado. Worked like a charm.
Ah awesome :)
When you need one of these things, they are a life saver.
Absolutely agree :)
What an awesome tool!
Yeah it really is!
@@VintageEngineRepairs It is indeed a great tool, and the sort of thing we might have made back in my toolmaker days, some time in the last century. But Where can you get it from? Did I miss that bit? Please post the link if you have one.
Thank you for sharing.
Edit:
Just watched your vid again and I see you mentioned the maker POWERBUILT. Just Googled it: £30, and apparently Sealey do one for £17. I don’t normally like Sealey, but they do appear to be the same product. Shop around I guess. A set with multiple sizes would be a good option.
I don’t have a link I’m afraid, I used Amazon, but I’m in Australia so it won’t help lol I presume
you’re USA?,
Got an old mower that someone had cross threaded. Spark plug shot out and it got completely stripped. I just took a piece of flat steel, drilled a couple of holes, made some notches with the angle grinder and then used it to strap down the spark plug, using the cylinder head bolts to hold it down.
It worked.
Cool! Thanks for sharing, so long as you aren’t loosing too much compression that’s awesome :)
@@VintageEngineRepairs The scrap steel i used had some springiness to it so i was able to get some decent pressure on the plug and it ran fine. Sounds dumb but it worked and it was free. It was just an 3.5hp b&s engine so nothing special
Great video, I have used this tool, it’s wonderful.
Very reasonably priced, one of those tools not used very often like lisle spark plug remover but a lifesaver to have on hand.
One tip, rotate engine to close valves as best you can, blow out cylinder with compressed air with an extension to reach inside before and after removing tool and after cleaning and spraying down.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing :)
Excellent job with the DETAILS of adjusting the rod/tightness as you come back with the tap! By NOT forcing this tool, I should think that would help avoid breakage complaints that appear online...Great thorough job!
You’re spot on :) thanks for the kind words!!
Nifty little tool but after nearly 50 years of DIY wrenching on power equipment, motorcycles and cars, I have never had any issues with threaded components simply because I have the feel or the knack. If I am trying to clean-up the threads to get rid of carbon, I put grease in the flutes of a tap to grab any grit and then clean out the threads with lacquor thinner on a bottle brush.
Nice :) that’s good!
Great information. I have never seen this tool before. It makes lots of sense. Thanks.
You’re welcome, yes it’s awesome :)
Thankfully I've never needed such a tool but I can definitely see how this would be very useful. Slick design for sure.
Absolutely :) thanks for watching!
Brilliant tool. Excellent advice as well.
Thank you! I love mine :)
Had this tool for years but thankfully only had to use it once!!
That’s awesome, at least it paid for itself in the first use :)
@@VintageEngineRepairs To get myself out of the bind I was in I woulda paid double! LOL!!!
Hahah totally understand
The tool looks great, thanks for the tip! And if it doesn't work you can still go back to the usual solution, so no harm done
Exactly right :) thanks for watching!
You sold it on just this first video, subscribed !
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for subbing!!
What an ingenious tool!
Absolutely!
wire thread is the best !
Thanks for watching!
Excellent video, thanks for sharing. Cheers
Brilliant. Not being a professional mechanic I've not into this problem, but that is an ingenious way to deal with it.
It really is isn’t it :)
I had a bum spark plug hole in my airplane engine and this tool saved my ass !!!!! It took many passes in and out to get the threads cleaned up , but in the end it worked.
Fantastic news :) good job!
Nicely explained technical issues with a nice and good British language !
Thank you! :)
Looks like a nice tool! I learned you can make a couple of vertical cuts in an old plug threads (Or use a tap, if you have one.) to use as a cleaner for the head threads. The crud will accumulate in the grooves which can be wire brushed out and then used until it comes out clean. On certain engines that run "cool", I use a tiny amount of Anti-Seize paste on the threads. Some people say don't do it, but it has always worked great for me. I don't ever remember seeing a spark plug up in the opening like the one shown in this video, but I am not a "pro" mechanic.
I’ve done this before too :) it just means you have to dissemble the engine though as you need to access the clean undamaged threads first!
Nice too! Thank you Tom for teaching us about it. Necessity is a Mother.
You’re welcome! :)
This is the most awesome tool in the world! 🙂👍
I’ve found it to be fantastic! :)
That's a great tool. I assumed the end was going to be a magnet to help catch swarf on iron heads. Maybe a magnet stuck on the end would be a good upgrade.
Heck yeah great idea!!!
Most heads are aluminum. Not magnetic.
I got one of those from Amazon and use it on my Harley-Davidson I pulled the spark plug out while it was still hot messed up the threads on aluminum head this work really nice and easy and quick didn't have to pull the head off or anything make sure you put grease on the threads before you put it in there so the metal shaving stick to the grease
Awesome :) glad you love them too!!
Very well explained and good coverage of potential pitfalls.
Thank you :)
The headache and heartache this tool could have saved for so many mechanics over the years. Thank's for sharing.
Ahh I bet! Thanks for watching :)
Came to comment exactly the same.
The 80’s were full of helping friends who’d broke spark plugs in situ and then the monster job of sorting.
This tool would have been my best friend. 😂
Backyard mechanic. I am NOT tempting the Tinker Gods by saying "I never"... Awesome idea for a tool you'll want handy if needed. Thank you for the tip! Got yourself a subb. And the tourque wrench calibration vid is next.
Found these on Amazool in 12+14mm. Guys working on GMs have used either with good results. Grabbing one myself.
What I've always done is use a length of hose to install a plug using fingers only and turn counter clockwise first slow+gentle so the plug thread drops right into the sweet spot. Then turn slowly clockwise with gravity only. If it isn't lined up exactly it'll catch. Hard to X thread that way but the hose will flex if it does instead of buggering the seat threads. Wearing nitrile gloves. Copper anti-seize is really nasty stuff. Nickel is probably just as bad. Thanks again.👍
Thank you for the sub! Glad the video resonated with you, it’s certainly a handy tool and very satisfying to use 🤣 everything you’ve said is exactly what I do, the tube, the anticlockwise turn, then clockwise :)
Thanks. I'll keep it in mind should I ever need it.
Absolutely:)
I've just bought one on Amazon😃😃👍👍
sweet :) you’ll love it!
That looks like a great tool to have on hand. All I would change is instead of grease on the threads I would use anti-seize. Just a little additional insurance when chasing bad threads.
Interesting! Though I’m not sure if it would be necessary? Either way, whatever you prefer. I use antiseize with extreme caution for fear of ending up covered in it like the Tinman from the wizard of Oz. Haha
@@VintageEngineRepairs The anti-seize is just some insurance that the threads, particularly in aluminum, dont gall up when chased. But yes, that stuff seems to find itself on my hands, tools, the parts, my clothes, etc.
I've nearly been a tech for 20 years, never (personally) needed a tool like this...yet, but damn do I want one in all thread sizes and combinations.
Haha yeah it’s useful to have, we can control the damage caused by our customers :)
Brilliant, thanks! Yes, we ALL know how to install threaded parts correctly. But, there are folks out there who should NEVER be allowed near tools. This video shows how to clean up one particular type of mess caused by a well-intentioned but unskilled/inexperienced DIYer.
Thanks for the kind words :) glad you enjoyed it!
Ive seen those, they are so cool
Very handy!!
That an ingenious tool. It will also work on car engines to.😊
Yep!! Motorcycles and RC engines as well :)
This is why you ALWAYS rotate threaded fasteners/plugs counter to tightening direction until you feel/hear the threads align. Learned this in Navy basic training during fire fighting class. If you cross-thread the fittings on the hose fittings & nozzles out in the middle of the ocean while fighting a fire you're gonna be REAL popular with your shipmates in those final moments.
Yes spot on, anticlockwise until it clicks and then clockwise by hand until it’s seated :)
Wow. What a great tool. Very clever.
Thanks for watching!
Love the background. Most calming. Peace.
Awesome, thanks, I prefer it to my dull room haha
Brilliant tool and excellent video explaining it, thank you!
You’re welcome!
This thing is great and scary at the same time. This demo works great when you can watch what’s happening from the inside!
Glad you enjoyed it :)
Nope. There is no need to "watch" anything. But you MUST "FEEL" the thread tools. You must FEEL any thread tool that you are using. This is super-essential that you FEEL the tool doing its work. The "feeling" is developed with experience, after you practice on few junk threads, ruin few threads with the tool, etc.
Cool tool! I could have used this 20 years ago.
Haha I have heard that a lot 👍
I find the feel of a hard spark plug cross threaded into an aluminum head very refreshing, I also use loc- tite…
Interesting!
Great video Tom, have used these many times, tho for really damaged threads, you will need to do a more permanent repair, but for those first 3 or so crossed threads from ignorant assembly, they are very useful.
Thanks for watching and sharing!
Thanks, did not know about this tool
You’re welcome :)
Thank you so much for this video. I have just ordered one from Amazon though your link. Cheers!
Awesome thank you!
I accidentally crossed my threads on dirt bike and bought two of these tools one for smaller size spark plugs and the other for larger size plug, only took about fifteen minutes and I was putting a new spark plug in and good to go!
Awesome! It’s a great tool!!
I found out about this tool a month or so ago. Had just bolted my heads on my LS and dropped the engine in. Well, one plug hole was messed up. It fixed me right up. ARES and Powerbuilt make one.
Nice! Glad it worked well in your situation :)
Thank you, never heard of this before. Looks like a good one to have just Incase.
You’re welcome, glad you liked it :)
I agree that a spark plugs should be started GENTLY - if it's too deep for fingers to reach, use a piece of rubber hose or vinyl tubing. Turning it backwards to locate the start of the threads is a good idea. But if you do all that and STILL strip the threads, this tool is awesome. I've ordered one in the hope that I never have to use it!
You’re spot on mate :) agree 100%!
I'll be looking to get one of these in my tool box.
Nice :) I’m considering the m12 version too haha
I'm an old crusty wrench head. Sweet Tool yes gradually expand tool make a few runs inside out ❤
Thanks for watching :)
Cool tool and great idea.
I recon!! :)
Spark plugs today are thin walled and very easy tp snap off if tension ed to tight or not changed regularly. Asnapped off plug in a nissan xtrail is a nightmare down in a 😊6 inch tube but this tool once the porceline and the thread base are romoved is a life saver,the problem getting the base out removes a small a amount of white metal which blocks the top of the thread in the cylinder head, this tool will if you take your time remove most of the white metal, this happened to me, I purchased 1 from a firm in Sydney Australia,the devise is manufactured in USA 🇺🇸.My etrail is now running very smoothly. New plugs very little tension and use appropriate pastewhen installing plugs. Australia 🇦🇺
Sounds like a nightmare, glad the tool helped that’s awesome :)
That is a great tool. Thanks, I have never seen one like this before.
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Cool little thread chaser and yeah definitely an easy way to fix up a goof-up with a spark-plug that's been cross threaded.
Absolutely :)
Brilliant video. Thank you.
You’re welcome 👍
Amazing & never seen this before, great video & thanks for sharing !
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching :)
Excellent explanation! Thank you so much.
You’re welcome!
Thank you 😮
That is a lovely tool.
I agree! I wish I designed it haha
Great too. Thank you for showing us
You’re welcome :) glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent channel, a real engineer
I’m glad you enjoy my videos! Thanks :)
Smart ingenuity
Agreed!
Great video, THANKS !!!!
You’re welcome :)
Really helpful video. Thanks
Thanks for the kind words :) glad you enjoyed it!
this appears to be an awesome tool !! thank you for the information !
You’re welcome!! :),
cool ..... i didn't know there was a tool like this until now ..... good to know
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Really v usefull for mechanics.
Agreeed!
One of a number of innovative tools that I wish I had invented.
Urgh me too, I’d have a nice retirement fund lll