removing spark plug tubes

[machinedave]

How are you guys safely removing spark plug tubes in cylinder heads?

[ProPower engines]

How are you guys safely removing spark plug tubes in cylinder heads?

Depends on the head.

What are you working on??

[machinedave]

The last one was a Hyundai head but we get a lot of different dealerships sending us brand new castings for us to grind the old valves, clean up all the parts and transfer everything over to the new head but some times they don't have new plug tubes.

[MadBill]

Just tell them you need new ones; they can send them along with the valve seals, etc.. (or do they want you to reuse them too?)

[MT Jeff]

Look into an internal pipe wrench.

[machinedave]

Just tell them you need new ones; they can send them along with the valve seals, etc.. (or do they want you to reuse them too?)

They always send new seals. Some send new springs, retainers and keepers but we are always asked to try to save the tubes.

[MadBill]

Can you itemize the "remove spark plug tubes" operation separately so they know if it's worth asking you to save them? (maybe price them out yourself so you know what your work is worth...)

[modok]

If they are too thin to tap threads in, BUT you can reach the outside, then
Perhaps turn a chunk of steel to a slip fit in the ID, tap for slide hammer. Make a clamp to go on the OD, like a split locking collar. Tightening the clamp would be the time killer but you could put extended bolts on it and maybe go fairly quick, or bicycle quick release cam locks.

[peejay]

If the old heads are going to be scrapped, why not add heat?

Assuming steel tubes in aluminum heads.

Sure, it'd be a bit pyrotechnic until you burned the old oil off, but oxygen and acetylene make any job more fun.

[modok]

good point
bbq em

[Kbails]

after trying to change the tubes on a couple different heads .I would recommend if you have a head with no tubes try and get new ones. everytime there is one or 2 that fight the hole way. heat does help but from the times I have done it at least 1 tube ends up a problem and gets chewed up a bit and looks butchered the heights are all the same after re-install but it looks like a hack job

[machinedave]

They sent new tubes today. The more I look at them the more I think that they aren't really meant to be reused and the amount of time I would have involved wouldn't be worth it for them.