Have to share this story. The other day I was winterizing my Mercury Optimax 115 and I did something stupid. Instead of gingerly screwing in my spark plug, I just stuck it in with the socket and started cranking.
Sure enough, it was in crooked and stripped. I could take it out but only put it in about two turns and it stopped. I panicked and thought about huge bills or head removal. Then I found this amazing tool on Amazon. Powerbuilt Backtap. I think KD tools makes one too but it is more $. For $20 I thought I'd give it a try. I fixed my problem in 15 minutes. As long as the threads are good in deep, it's a quick fix. The tool goes into the hole and then you tighten it, it expands and back it out the threads. I followed the directions and put grease on it and tightened it a little bit more each time. When I was done, I screwed the plug in like new. Amazing. I told my mechanic friends about it and they bought one too. The best part is the shavings come out out not in. I know it sounds like an ad but it saved my butt. I hope this helps someone.
Sure enough, it was in crooked and stripped. I could take it out but only put it in about two turns and it stopped. I panicked and thought about huge bills or head removal. Then I found this amazing tool on Amazon. Powerbuilt Backtap. I think KD tools makes one too but it is more $. For $20 I thought I'd give it a try. I fixed my problem in 15 minutes. As long as the threads are good in deep, it's a quick fix. The tool goes into the hole and then you tighten it, it expands and back it out the threads. I followed the directions and put grease on it and tightened it a little bit more each time. When I was done, I screwed the plug in like new. Amazing. I told my mechanic friends about it and they bought one too. The best part is the shavings come out out not in. I know it sounds like an ad but it saved my butt. I hope this helps someone.
