Indy-1 heads. The plug threads in #3 have been sloppy for awhile. Yesterday was the last straw doing a compression test the tester didn't tighten up. Is there a acceptable repair on the car with an insert? I've used them on production stuff. Or do I need to pull the head and get it welded up? This is a 15-1 bracket motor.
Thanks Doug

I have used Helicoils with success on engines with that compression. It's best to have the head off so you can drill the correct angle and make sure the Helicoil does not hang out in the chamber.

http://www.timesert.com/

They make some really nice stuff.
I would pull the head, but I have greased the tap and repaired without when the customer didn't want to pay to pull it.

I suggest you call one of the Head manufactures (Veney, Stage V, Indy, etc...) Veney dose/will not use stainless Helicoils for example...based on the SS heat transfer properties, and conductivity Somewhere you can get Copper inserts that will do the trick, but cant seem to find or remember where???

I have used Timeserts for years and they are pretty much become part of whatever you install them in. They will be better than the old threads once you install them perfectly.

Gus

It's February... head comes off easy... Welded or insert, you know the right answer on if you should fix it on the car.

If it were August and we were at Norwalk, we'd be having a different conversation.

Exactly,with the money invested in that engine nows the time ,fix it correctly.What ever method you can see that it is done right and no issues will be found later.Now is not the time to temporary patch it.

I agree 100% with both of these post replys you have too nice of a car and combo to not do it right and have the possibility of another failure at the wrong time.

I had a Timesert repair on #8 on Eddy RPM's. Not cheap but its way stronger than the other 7. The shop I used charges 60 per hole.

Pulling the head isn't a big deal. More looking if the thread repair insert is OK. Obviously they work and are plenty strong. Just seeing if there are any other reasons not to use them.
Doug

Doug I use inserts all the time. No big deal. I have the tools to do it in the car. May just need to remove header.

Time sert makes thread repair kits for oe manufacturers. If you have any concerns, make a phone call. They know what they are doing.

Time cert thread repair is the best out there. No reason Not to use them. While they can be done with the head installed, I wouldn't do it on a race engine, as you will most likely get some grindings in the engine so be it aluminum grindings though. Youd probably be okay as they may pass and burn up, but could also slip down above the rings. Id take the heads off.

Maybe intake off, intake valve open and vacuum cleaner on that port while its done ?

I've repaired a lot of holes and threads. As a casual observer, what makes a threaded insert transfer heat better than a heli-coil?

While I'm not sure about the heat transfer question a Timesert is better in every way than a helicoil. To me a Timesert is a permanent repair and a Helicoil is just something to get you by.
Now if I were doing one I would get the set of eight and do both heads while the chips are flying
I just wish they were installed from the factory they are that good.

Gus

The problem with the helicoil is it will not transfer heat like a alloy time cert. If you helicoil it will burn it out of the head. I have done hundreds maybe thousands of spark plug inserts in many vehicles over the years. I have repaired many steel inserts in aluminum heads that have burned out, especially in ford modular engines. If timesert makes an insert that will work just be careful to get chips out. Do not use grease on tap as it will trap chips inside of cylinder. Everyone has their own way. Best way would be to remove head and have a quality cylinder head guy repair it. But sometimes cost is more than people want to pay. I use a green loc tite bearing retainer that is for high heat to retain inserts in head and have never had one failure. They recommend jb weld but I have never used it...Good luck.

Thanks WedgeFED for the voice of experience.