Helicoil or Timeinsert?

My project bike has stripped plug and I was wondering if anyone has any experience using either of these. Which do you prefer and why? I'm leaning towards the timeinsert but looking at their page for info I'm a little confused as to which kit I'm supposed to order for a 77 KZ650B1.

www.timesert.com/html/sparkplug.html

i heard...
bring that cylinder head to the bottom.. fill it with shaving cream.. do your drilling then TDC and it will push out all the fillings

bloglos wrote:

My project bike has stripped plug....

Just to confirm that the spark plug hole threads are actually stripped out, as opposed to the threads being cross-threaded?

Good Fortune!

Oh yes, they are stripped. Previous owner cross threaded it and it appears as though he tried to force it more then a couple of times. Not completely stripped, but cross threaded about 5 times in different forced spots.

bloglos wrote:

Oh yes, they are stripped. Previous owner cross threaded it and it appears as though he tried to force it more then a couple of times. Not completely stripped, but cross threaded about 5 times in different forced spots.

Wondering if enough thread remains at deep end to re-thread from the deep end using a "reverse tap" (engine head remains in place and need not be removed).

The deep half of threads, or more, might remain intact, and together with re-threaded shallow end could possibly remain serviceable.

If there's any hope for existing threads, would suggest first reverse tapping as a possible solution. And failure would simply leave the same issue for helicoil or timesert.

Lots of reverse tap success stories being told.

Good Fortune!

if not stated before, either method of repair,, coat the tap with heavy grease, this will grab the chips from the tap, once you have done that, I take a small hose and adapt it to a shop vac, run it down the plug hole just to make sure you have everything cleaned out of the cyl.
its not a hard repair at all

If anyone could offer some advice as to which kit I need from Timeinsert that would be helpful. The process itself seems very simple, I'm a little confused as to the measurements etc.

You can get those spark plug kits at most auto parts stores. They come with different length inserts. You need 14mm

If you're worried about any shavings just reduce your vacuum hose down, use a suction ball, or just blow them out with compresed air. The shaving cream bit was pretty funny though.

www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_009209...&ci_sku=SPM222402753

Here is the reply I got from Timesert when I emailed them and asked about this.

Hello,
If the spark plug is deep in the hole, meaning 6 inches down use the
extended version of the M14x1.25 p/n 4412E. If the threads starts
very close around 2 inches use p/n 4412. The insert is listed below p/n 44111.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
M14x1.25 spark plug kit.
Short version of the tooling.
Spark plug Kit M14x1.25 p/n 4412 $148.13
Insert sold separately:
Insert p/n 44111 M14x1.25x16.8mm washer seat price $3.07 each.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Extended version of the tooling if the spark plug is 6 inches or deeper.
Spark plug Kit M14x1.25 p/n 4412E $185.88
Insert sold separately:
Insert p/n 44111 M14x1.25x16.8mm washer seat price $3.07 each.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here is a link to the spark plug repair page.
[ur]lhttp://www.timesert.com/html/howtosp.html[/url]

I haven't done it yet as I have other fish to fry at the moment but I've used them before with good results.

Roger

Holy shitballs that seems pricey.

go to your local NAPA, they have the kits there for both, I like the time sert better since it gives you a flat surface once its in, the helicoils work just fine, but you need to keep it parallel to the head to keep it from not sealing around the gasket.
also, get some copper anti seize and use it on all the plugs,

I called my local Napa and they only carry the Heli Coil. Not the Time Insert. It's a Canadian store so maybe that has something to do with it.