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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

sparkplug broke off

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Old Dec 18, 2007 | 08:43 PM
  #1  
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sparkplug broke off

While changing plugs tonight I snaped one off below the "nut" and above the thread. I tryed an easyout and welded a bolt to the piece in the head wtih no luck It twisted off lower ANY ideas without pulling the topend down??
Thanks
 
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Old Dec 18, 2007 | 08:47 PM
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weld bolt on then try soaking with rust buster and/or heat.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2007 | 08:53 PM
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<i>I tryed an easyout</i>

I had 4 bust off in my 460, never had the plugs changed before I got it. The heat shields hold all the crap right there on the plugs. I know now to pull em out now and then and flush the area good. The heat shields are "friction" fit so it easy to do.
I used a easy out and it worked great, took a torch and got what was left of the plug good and hot first, knocked the easy out in good and tight and they came out.

You are using the right size easy out right (had to ask)? A new one that has good sharp edges on it so it gets a good bite?

I thought I was going to have to pull the heads, but when I got the first one of em out I knew I was home free!

If you want tomorrow I can take a look and then post the size I used.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2007 | 08:54 PM
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if you can get to it with a pointed punch pin on the edge of what is left of the spark plug and try to kind of tap it (on the metal part of the plug only) in a counterclockwise rotation. I find this works great with broken engine bolts that break flush the tapping both looses and has an impact effect---though I have never tryed on a spark plug. you may want to drop your exahust manifold to give yourself some working room. just be patient and keep trying things--good luck
 
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Old Dec 18, 2007 | 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by danr1
I tryed an easyout

I had 4 bust off in my 460, never had the plugs changed before I got it. The heat shields hold all the crap right there on the plugs. I know now to pull em out now and then and flush the area good. The heat shields are "friction" fit so it easy to do.
I used a easy out and it worked great, took a torch and got what was left of the plug good and hot first, knocked the easy out in good and tight and they came out.

You are using the right size easy out right (had to ask)? A new one that has good sharp edges on it so it gets a good bite?

I thought I was going to have to pull the heads, but when I got the first one of em out I knew I was home free!

If you want tomorrow I can take a look and then post the size I used.
I have everysize easyout known to man (I break alot of stuff) I did heat it but not alot I soaked it good with pb blaster hopefully it will help bu tomorow with some more heat
 
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Old Dec 18, 2007 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by woody1003
if you can get to it with a pointed punch pin on the edge of what is left of the spark plug and try to kind of tap it (on the metal part of the plug only) in a counterclockwise rotation. I find this works great with broken engine bolts that break flush the tapping both looses and has an impact effect---though I have never tryed on a spark plug. you may want to drop your exahust manifold to give yourself some working room. just be patient and keep trying things--good luck
This is my next plan if the asyout and heat dosnt work tomorow night Ive gotten plenty of broken pipes out thatway ( but usualy with more room around them)
 
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Old Dec 18, 2007 | 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by swackhamer
I have everysize easyout known to man (I break alot of stuff) I did heat it but not alot I soaked it good with pb blaster hopefully it will help bu tomorow with some more heat
Don't be afraid to get it good and hot, you'll get it out. Keep the torch moving so it can't "cut" anything on ya.

And whatever you do don't snap a hardened easy out off in the hole! You'll be done then if you do.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2007 | 09:48 PM
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I got my truck with 96K on the 351. Went to do plugs and broke 1. It was nice caus it was the 1st one on the drivers side. Just drilled it out and used easy out. The other 7 plugs I had to soak 3 times a day for a week. The plug was rusted all the way up 2 the socket spot. So the plug got wider and was stuck in the plug hole. Pissed me off that Ford says 100K for plugs, if they put antiseize on everything I wouldnt get so mad when I break every bolt I ever try to remove. It also would have helped if prevous owners washed truck off after plowing. Everyting is crusty.
 
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Old Dec 19, 2007 | 10:16 AM
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I have only had this happen to me once and I drove a 3/8" extension into what was left of the plug and it came out.
 
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 07:02 PM
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Man, I hope I never have that problem! Sounds like a PITA!
 
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 07:13 PM
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Really does sound like a PITA , thank god mine came out easy, Good Luck getting them out.

Mike
 
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 07:46 PM
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I got it out I used a pipe extractor I forget what # they are straight fluted not taperd like a normal easy out so they dont expand the piece the harder you turn I think this was key as the regular easyout didnt work.

Thanks all!
 
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 07:49 PM
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great!

it's miller time.

use anti-sieze on the new plugs.
 
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 09:40 PM
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I feel your pain...I remember when my 96 250 5.8 hit around 125k it was well overdue to change out the plugs (was running perfect, however, shoulda left it alone!) and when I did, all EIGHT plugs broke off. IIRC, it was great fun trying to get them out. I used every combination of easy-out, torch, weld nuts onto the stud, PB blaster, WD 40, Vise-grips, etc. After about 2 weeks, I got the last one. This was, by far, the worst nightmare I ever had with this truck. Its never given me a problem before or since but man, I'll never forget this one. When you finally get the plugs out, go out and buy the best, most expensive anti-sieze you can find. Its just cheap insurance that this won't happen to you again.
Jay
 
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