I have a 2003 f150 I had #3 plug fly out of cyl. Got that repaired and decided to change the rest of the plugs. Due to being in a hurry I did not blow around the plug bore before plug removal. Long story short a stone fell into #7 cyl. Very embarrassed about this especially since I am a certified truck and auto tech but everyone does make mistakes at times. Decided to pull both heads as it is getting up in milage and intake gaskets where due to leak soon and left manifold also needed replaced and figured studs would break. I suspected I would have to take heads to machine shop for manifold stud removal and helicoil but to my surprise all of them came out even the broken one. Now I have 2 questions.


1. Should I take the heads in to get the 7 remaining plug threads drilled out and helicoiled. What is the general opinion factory threads better then helicoil or vise versa?


2. Has any one purchased the timing kits off ebay? Prices are very tempting one kit being sold by eristic gaskets has both chains, crank, and cam gears, both tensioners, all chain wear guides, oil pump, and water pump for $139. Another kit by mizumo auto has same kit as above except the oil pump for about the same. Just curious if anyone has used these kits or if any one has opinions about them.


Just so it is known I purchased the OTC cam holding kit from my snap-on rep so reassembly should not be a issue.

 

I have seen no product made by HeliCoil that I would trust on this repair.
I used Time Sert on my V10 and left the head on the truck.

 

Thanks for reply Sam I Am. I guess I should have asked if I should thread insert the rest of the plug threads since the heads are off or leave them with factory threads? I do realize helicoil is a brand and I should have written thread insert instead.

 

After all these years 20 driving my truck I still don't see the issue with the spark plug threads on these trucks. I've always replaced my plugs and have NEVER had a problem. Just realize you are dealing with ALUMINUM and you just need to SNUG the plugs.

 

If it were me I would do the remaining 7 plug holes (as well as a valve job) while the heads were off. It's so easy to do the holes now with the heads off that if after all this work you blew out a plug in 1K miles you'd really be kicking yourself for not having done it now.