2K GT engine problem (with video)

On 2009-07-30, Mark G7#9 > wrote:

> You guys were right. The plug closest to the passenger is out. The
> coil boot is shredded but the coil itself looks ok.
> How can I tell if the threads are damaged or is it a given? (It's hard
> to see into that far hole.) Should I just try to install a new plug
> and see if it's tight. I did find a local guy that said he'll put a
> new helicoil for around $200 plus I'll need about $100 for tow.

peer down in there with a flashlight to see how damaged the threads are.
It's a given that they are damaged, otherwise the plug wouldn't have
come out. There might be enough left to get some threads to bite but a
plug won't stay there for long. At best enough to get to the shop, at
worst not enough to get out of your garage.

I forgot to mention, the helicoil kit for the 4.6L doesn't use the
standard spring insert. It uses a steel insert with male and female
threads on it. The female threads duplicate the ford's 'half thread'
design original to 4.6L heads up until when they were changed for this
problem. That way you don't have to worry about making sure to have a
full thread plug in that one hole.