Broken spark plug

verynw · 09-24-2011, 08:35 PM

Hi All, Any slick tricks for extracting a broken spark plug from my Dodge 318 '72 Winnebago Brave? Have used PB Blaster and an easy-out to no avail.

fletch460 · 09-24-2011, 08:41 PM

do you mean the hex is broken off?

Skip426 · 09-24-2011, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verynw

Hi All, Any slick tricks for extracting a broken spark plug from my Dodge 318 '72 Winnebago Brave? Have used PB Blaster and an easy-out to no avail.

Do you have tapered seat plugs or shouldered plugs with gaskets. 318 HD of that vintage should have tapered seat( Ford style )plugs. If the hex is broken off and you have a short thread plug you could try drilling out to tap size; if you have access; then running a tap through to cut the remaining aluminum out of the treads. This of course requires that you clean all the debris out of the cylinder before you turn the engine over. Most times it's quicker and less nerve racking to pull the head, but with 40 year old parts that could be a nightmare too. Good luck.

grumpy14 · 09-25-2011, 06:06 AM

Try a reverse bit ,with right angle drill ( been there)

NALSO · 09-25-2011, 06:48 AM

verynw.

Keep the spark plug socket square to the cylinderhead with pressure against it, then pry it loose.

The only thing broken is the insulator!!!!!!!

Good Luck,

NALSO

TXiceman · 09-25-2011, 08:04 AM

Last resort is to pull the head.

Ken

leadman · 09-25-2011, 07:28 PM

I believe that plug has a gasket on it. My question is what part of the plug is broken? If the hex is broken off and the core is gone from the threaded section this is what I would do.
Pull another plug and break the insulator out of it and find a drill bit that is slightly larger the the inside of the threaded portion. It needs to be smaller than the threaded portion in the cylinder head. Then drill out the broken piece of the plug. Use a slow speed drill and put wheel bearing grease on the drill bit to help capture the metal shavings. I might be possible then to peel the remaining metal out of the hole with a pick, if not put pressure on the drill sideways until you can make out the threads. The cast head is a different color metal than the steel of the plug.

Or pull the head and take it to a machine shop. another option is to get the MH to a shop and have them extract it or put a plug insert sleeve in it.

Gary - K7GLD · 10-02-2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumpy14

Try a reverse bit ,with right angle drill ( been there)

YUP - used that method MANY times, quite effectively!

Midniteoyl · 10-02-2011, 09:39 PM

I prefer the reverse bit (Easy Out) in a socket adapter and to remove it by hand, but ya, use an Easy Out..

Dave78Chief · 10-03-2011, 06:55 AM

The plug used in a 69-75 era 318-3 Dodge MH chassis was originally a Champion F10 which now crosses to a Champion RF10C. This is a 18mm tapered seat plug that uses a 13/16" hex socket. If a 6 point 13/16" spark plug socket (or regular socket if the ceramic is busted off) will not remove it, then like Skip46 mentioned above your only options are drill/ease out, drill/retap, or pull thehead.

Dave

Keith_Martin · 10-03-2011, 04:47 PM

Be sure to heat it up. The easy out should work fine. Heat, Heat, Heat

TQ60 · 10-06-2011, 03:53 PM

IF the top is broken and the body is there but will not turn, then get an impact wrench, and if needed a BUNCH of extension if needed.

A air ratchet will also work but not as well.

Get thin oil, WD 40 will work, paint thinner better, squirt it at the base of the plug and let it soak.

Repeat every few hours or so to let it get into the area where moisture could have been, that could have rusted the two together, where there is solid metal to metal contact the oil/solvent wil not be able to get there and is not needed anyway.

If the hex is rounded then get a smaller impact socket and hammer it on gently.

Nw use the impact wrench, if you need to remove a wheel to gain access then do it, add extensions to allow the tool to do the work.

Gently ease the trigger to walk in the power of the wrench, too much too fase may break the socket loose if it was hammered on.

Camp on it with the tool, it will break loose and spin out, but be careful the Dodge plugs are long, so you do NOT want to spin them fast all the way out, as soon as it starts to turn let off of the trigger so it comes out slow, or use a ratchet by hand.

If it turns then stops mid way, apply more oil, turn in 1/4 turn then back out easy does it, these sometime gaul up and the threads get medded up, slowly turning it out may only trash the ones near the top leaving the bottome ones OK, but you need to get the plug out of the hole, speed is not your friend here.