symptoms of blownout spark plug?

[American_Muscle]

Hey guys

There's all the discussion about spark plugs being blown out.

I started getting a ticking sound and noticed that one spark plug was kind of loose.

Now when I tried screwing it back in it would screw in but then stop all of a sudden. It wouldn't gradually tighten.

I never heard a loud bang or anything and the stang never sounded funny like people say(like a top fuel dragster).
All I heard was the ticking. I drove it for 20-30 miles after the ticking started.

Do I just need a new spark plug or should I order new heads?

I appreciate it.

BTW sorry for starting a new thread but I'm kind of on borrowed time since I'm at work and can't acces the inet at home right now.

Thanks
Patrick

 

[Gearbanger 101]

If the spark plug hole in the thread is in fact buggered, you don't necessarily need new heads. A helacoil fix should get you back on the road again.

To see if in fact if the ticking is a stripped thread count, pull the spark plug out and inspect if for carbon deposits on the upper half of the plug, beyond the threads. If any have gotten past the threads, you'll be able to see it.

 

[American_Muscle]

Yeah I"ve been reading up on the timesert fixture but I'm not THAT mechanically inclined.

If it's nothing TOO hard and there are instructions I'm pretty sure I can do it.

I'll check the plug Wednesday.

 

[Mike97gt]

as long as it does stop and you can tighten it you should be ok, atleast for now. keep a eye on it and check it often..

 

[American_Muscle]

So what happens it it's really stripped?
Does it just keep turning?

 

[Gearbanger 101]

If it's stripped, it won't tighten properly, or will work itself loose repeatedly. If it snugs down and the noise stops, don't jump the gun. If it's quiet and tight (like a lot of women should be) then just leave it alone and keep an eye on it like Mike stated.

If it is in fact toast, then you can start taking steps to correct it like I suggested.

 

[timeless2]

Check this thread out for some related ifnormation.
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=607458

 

[American_Muscle]

Thanks guys.

I've been reading through that thread a lot trying to find clues.

I'll look at it on Wednesday.
I'm ordering valve cover gaskets and new spark plugs tomorrow.

I'll see what happens.
Hopefully the head is still good.

Like I said I never heard a bang or anything. Once the ticking started I never drove it except to the garage about 15-20 miles away.

And the spark plug wasn't completely out of the head...it was just loose.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

I'm ordering valve cover gaskets and new spark plugs tomorrow.

Unless yours are damaged, you don't need new valve cover gaskets. They're only rubber/silicone impregnated to start with and completely reusable. Just be careful not to tear them when removing them and make sure to clean off the RVT silicone around the area's where the heads meet the timing cover, then give them a fresh dab in that area before re-installing them. Good to go.

 

[American_Muscle]

One of the gaskets is torn, so I figured getting new ones wouldn't hurt.

I guess I f'd up on my part when taking everything apart.