Essential Tool For Any Mechanic! Save Time & Money!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2024
- This essential tool should be in every mechanic's toolbox! It will save you time, money, and frustration when repairing your engines, whether 2-stroke or 4, in a professional workshop or even just as an enthusiast in your garage at home.
Regardless of the machines you work on, from Honda, Stihl, Kawasaki, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Yamaha and many more, most have the same size spark plug threads. Therefore, this tool can fit multiple engines across multiple models and brands too.
It's inevitable that you'll need to repair damaged spark plug threads sooner or later, and this simple yet affordable tool does so better than any other I've come across. Whether you're working on small engines or large, 2-stroke or 4, from motocross bikes to lawn mowers, this thread chaser is a versatile solution to a very frustration and common problem!
POWERBUILT BACKTAP: amzn.to/49I9305
TOOLS I USE:
Stens 750-120 Carburetor Adjustment Tools- amzn.to/4atkBV5
Engine Tachometer - amzn.to/3TE48GZ
Forceps - amzn.to/4a2ud9v
Zoom Oil Bottles - amzn.to/3TWZV2t
Mityvac Compression Tester - amzn.to/4aimaFS
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Vessel Screw Drivers - amzn.to/3ISewG2
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Klein MM400 multimeter - amzn.to/3PI3Y02
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Milwaukee 12v Impact Driver - amzn.to/3VEuxH4
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Milwaukee 12v 90 degree Grinder - amzn.to/4czLiJp
No-spill gas can - amzn.to/3TDfWcb
Any links to products are likely to affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases with no additional costs to you. Thank you!
#Stihl #DIY #tools #enginerepair #threadrepair #honda #mechanic
00:00 How to fix damaged threads on your engine
00:20 Using thread inserts
01:06 Powerbuild Back Tap Thread Chaser
02:37 How to repair spark plug threads
04:18 How to install a spark plug correctly
04:50 How to calibrate a torque wrench
Buy The Powerbuilt Backtap tool here: amzn.to/49I9305
Any links to products are likely to affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, with no additional costs to you. Thank you!
I have been a mechanic for 30+ years and I was fortunate to begin my career working along side mechanics with decades of experience. As such, I have always used vacuum or fuel hose to start plugs and have never came close to cross-threading a plug.
Absolutely :) I use that too, I can’t remember what brand as it’s well worn off now, as you say, it’s almost impossible to cross thread anything that way!
That way I was trained.
I was taught the same way by the older generation...42 years old here. Maybe the 100 proof vodka is making me sentimental but kinda gets the heart going knowing someone else appreciates what was passed down to the both of us. Stay skilled brother.
Not a professional mechanic but a mechanical DIYer, I've been using this method for years. Simplifies things greatly
40 years as a mechanic and I have never damaged plug threads.
The ONLY rule of thumb when installing a spark plug is to turn it in by hand first or at least just use the socket with your extension, if it doesn't go in with just your fingers, you're doing it wrong.
However, this tool is awesome to see.
Golden rule for all fasteners.
Absolutely right! I turn back the hardware / plugs anticlockwise until I feel them drop a thread / click in place, then I know it’s aligned, then I go clockwise back in. I also use a tube designed for starting plugs, though I can’t remember the brand now.
@@VintageEngineRepairs I was always advised to use a chunk of rubber hose over the porcelain part, or an old spark plug boot for OHV that fits just tightly enough to turn it to start it, but slips if it encounters resistance. I've seen tools that use the same principle, but not cheaper than a half foot (or, 15cm in science units) of hose or a cut off part of that spark plug wire you were going to toss anyway. All great ideas if they save you time, effort, bloody knuckles, and cursing at inanimate objects in my estimation.
@@kdawson020279 I was just going to add this too. Old school trick that is pretty much mandatory for aluminum cylinder heads.
@@lizard944 It was the ONLY way in my '99 Cavalier Z24 (terrible engine that used a lot of oil and had a balance shaft in the way of the splash lube potential so ... I tore it up like only a young guy who just got a good paying job can. Hard life lesson learned.)
One thing the USAF taught me in a year of technical school working on expensive aircraft parts was put the bolt into position, turn counterclockwise until you feel the item 'snap' into place when the threads are aligned, start threading by hand and then tighten. Too many people just try to thread something into place and easily crossthreading. I have never seen this tool. There's a rule I like to follow - Design your repairs and projects around the tools you want to buy. I need one of these! Real bad.
Very true! Couldn’t agree more, well said! :)
@@VintageEngineRepairs Thanks for the kind reply. Blessings.
Discovered this by accident after many years of cross threading, best advice for avoiding the problem.
This is a good rule when reassembling plastic items too. Always turn the screw counter clockwise till you feel it click into the existing thread that's been cut in the screw post. That way you're not putting any extra stress on the plastic post which can break, especially in an older device.
May I add…. Don’t use high torque tools like impacts to break bolts loose or use power tools to start a bolt or nut! K.I.S.S!! I don’t care what people do honestly I just hate fixing people’s screw ups!! Lol
Sixty years of working on small engines and I’ve never seen this ingenious tool. Thanks so much for sharing!
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it :)
there is probably a reason why you havent seen them, this tool looks liike it will make more problem, this tool looks like it will snap off in the head lol. use a regular tap and air gun you will be fine
@@CoUldNotFindAName123 No... don't use a regular tap... and you will be fine.
@@CoUldNotFindAName123 That's just your baseless opinion, man.
Your claim needs challenging.
The tool he shows has to be made of say tool steel. He's retreading aluminium. I gather you are completely familiar with the properties of each metal. Moreover, he states to take caution when turning the tool to avoid breakage he explains that very well.
So to conclude you are adamant this tool will break. Have you used this tool as Tom suggested. If not, your claim is baseless, you wrote it out of ignorance or jealousy. I'm a Metallurgist and unless you are an expert on tool steel usage in machineing your comment is nonsense. Care to comment ?@@CoUldNotFindAName123
I’ve been an Aviation Technician for over 30 years, service my own cars regularly, and never have I once ever cross threaded anything. I don’t understand how people do this. Start the fastener by hand and if it feels like is binding, then back it off, check the thread and start again. Don’t just grab a ratchet and “make” it fit!
Some people can break an anvil :)
I agree, I’m a patient man and I see people tackle problems like a bull at a gate and damage things like Ikea and such.
I could think of situation when you overtight spark plug to aluminium head.
If you’re cross threading plugs then you should NOT call yourself a mechanic
@@racerdude7149 my customer doesn’t call himself one, but I fix his mistakes lol
To avoid stripping try this trick.
Push down on the plug bolt or nut and turn it backwards.
You should feel a click as the start of the threads pass each other.
Now you're aligned to start going forward.
If it's too greasy to feel the click clean it with WD or carb cleaner.
Of course always start things by hand as wrenches and pneumatic tools will not give you any feel and the damage will be done.
Hey :) yes that’s exactly how I do it too, I also use a tube that slides onto the porcelain and go by hand 👍
Feeling the beginning of a thread by turning backwards also works with wood screws and self tappers into plastic.
Was going to post exactly this.
My dad taught me this when I was something like 10, 11 years old working on motorcycles. Also to never start any thread using tools, always hand start first. I have never stripped any plug, screw or nut over 5 decades.
Use that technique with self tapping screws into plastic housings. Always pick up the original thread, don't create a new one in the plastic and you will be able to remove and refit many times over without stripping.
These work perfectly. About 20 years ago, I cross threaded one of the plug entries on my TVR, in the worst possible location, where it was really hard to access. Was really looking at removing the head with all that entails. On one of the TVR sites, I explained the situation, and an extremely kind chap from around Bristol way, if memory serves, offered to send me one of these FOC. This he did, and with much trepidation I put it to work. BINGO!!!! Perfect result first time. On return of the tool I gave him the price of a few beers, as the time and effort it saved were immense. Because normally the damaged thread is near or at the top, this device goes beyond that and out the other side. When you expand the tap it is normally coming up to a clean thread and basically taps the hole backwards, encountering the damaged thread well into the tap's travel. Excellent tool, which i never knew existed until that kind person offered me it.
That’s awesome, glad you had good success too ;)
He explained it works from inside out-
A few years ago I bought a used Jeep. Changed the plugs and found a stripped thread. Bought this tool. Worked great! A little hard to find, but well worth it
Ah that’s awesome, good stuff :)
I'll probably never need it but I want it, just in case. Remember. He who dies with the most tools wins.
Hahaha very true LOL. Not expensive either :)
it's very rare do you see a video title like this that isn't just scamming you into clicking the video. thanks for the info
That’s very kind, I try and keep my content exciting, well made but also factual and to the point without all the unnecessary blabbering!
Just another reason why a rubber hose as a spark plug starter work! Great video Tom. That older green engine you had running looks like a great restoration
Yeah I love my little silicone hoses, super handy! :) thanks! I’m really proud of it 👍👍
Same here. I have a hunk of rubber hose dedicated for starting spark plugs gently. That tool is pretty nifty though.
I’ve been using a spark plug wire boot shoved onto the end of a punch to start plugs for the past 30 years. I also removed the rubber from inside of my spark plug sockets and I haven’t broken a plug since.
Hi, nice tool. I'm looking for a tool that I can use on a vintage fiat ducato 1,9 turbo
diesel engine named A280.A1.000 from 1993 to either pull out the dieselinjector liner in the engine top or make new threads with a bigger back thread tools like the one u show in video. Se that on amazon they have two versions of tool 12mm and 14mm how much can u maximize the size to on yours? I think I need prx 22mm to fix my threads. I have got a new threaded liner but hard to get the old out. Trying to find the right tool to do the job. Thinking if I found a links thread tap that can expand like the bolt in video i could use that to manage to screw the old liner out? Any good suggestions are very much appriciated and thanks in advance for all helpful hints and tricks
Nifty little tool but after nearly 50 years of DIY wrenching on power equipment, motorcycles and cars, I have never had any issues with threaded components simply because I have the feel or the knack. If I am trying to clean-up the threads to get rid of carbon, I put grease in the flutes of a tap to grab any grit and then clean out the threads with lacquor thinner on a bottle brush.
Nice :) that’s good!
Good job showing how that thread chaser works.
Thanks mate :) do you have one in your tool box?
@@VintageEngineRepairs I do and have used it successfully although it won't perform miracles:-)
Hmm yeah I tried to stick it into an engine with a broken connecting rod waiting for it to fix it, didn’t work! Hehe 😜
WOW! I'm not doing alot of work for people these days being almost retired. I have never broken off a sparkplug nor have I crossthreaded one but I WANT ONE OF THESE TOOLS. WHAT A FANTASTIC MIND THAT THOUGHT THIS OUT! Thank you VER.
Glad you enjoyed the video and found the tool interesting! :)
Brilliant product and presentation, thank you.
To be honest, when I saw the video thumbnail I thought it was a timing tool which I've made before.
Sometimes you suspect a timing mark on a flywheel is wrong. To verify on ohv / ohc engine, knock the ceramic centre out of a spark-plug and add a aluminium insert instead, sticking out an extra 10mm or so.
With engine near bottom dead centre, insert by hand the spark plug tool. Carefully wind the engine until piston one kisses the tool. Mark the flywheel from the fixed timing mark.
Wind the engine back the other way, touch, mark.
With a pair of dividers / verniers / rule, find centre-point of your two marks. That is definitely an accurate top dead centre relative to the fixed timing mark.
This is a good method if either the flywheel has been swapped in the past ir the fixed timing mark lost: you can add a new fixed timing mark wherever you like and use the above to make a new flywheel TDC reference.
Yes I can see why it looks like a piston stop! Haha :) thanks for watching!
Top dead center tool 😉
Great idea! I learned long ago not to get myself in those situations, but there will always be repairs on other people's stuff. I have standard & metric taps/dies & many thread files, thread pitch gauges, rethreaders for clean-up & a lathe & mill. I've even made a few taps myself. And have many threaded inserts, heli-coils etc. Being proficient at properly installing a heli-coil could be entire video as theres only one correct way , and when done properly it will last firever.This expandable design never occurred to me as I always got the job done. But I like knowing it exists. Thank you
Thanks for sharing, glad you enjoyed the video!
Yes, this is a must have tool. I got careless changing plugs on a six cylinder outboard marine engine cross threading the new plug and damaging the threaded hole quite badly. This tool saved me. Great little invention.
Great to hear! :)
I've always used a straight, short piece of hose for starting spark plugs. You need a diameter which will fit over the porcelain just snuggly enough to hold it. The hose won't allow the amount of torque required to damage the threads, so if you're threads aren't aligned properly, it will slip. Once you get a few turns, you can safely switch to a spark plug socket.
Fingers work on a lot of the old stuff. A lot of these new engines, the spark plugs are at the bottom of a 6" hole.
Yes :) just the same here, I use a hose, turn the plug anti clockwise until it clicks and then turn clockwise- I haven’t mis aligned any threads with one, though I have had a friend who has!
Thanks for describing the “hose trick” because a lot of comments mentioned it, but didn’t say WTF it was!
Adding the description makes all the difference in the world.
They do make a thread repair kit that can be done with the head on. It is not a heli coil, it is a bushing threaded inside and out installed like a heli coil. You install it with loctite and also stake it in place. I packed the flutes with grease to catch the chips but it is a slow process because they quickly eat up the grease so you have to go in and out many times. Still worth it. The ones I have seen/done have held for many years and many hours.
That’s great, thanks for sharing :)
I can see that being useful for MULTIPLE applications. I will be looking into it.
I agree, very handy!
I bought one a few years ago to use on my Colorado. Worked like a charm.
Ah awesome :)
I have a lot of mechanics tools collected over the decades but never saw one like this. That is slick !
I wish I designed it lol!
Well that is a bad ass little tool there! I've never had an issue chasing threads and packing grease on the tap but I like the theory behind this one and think I'm adding it to my tool box.
Awesome, glad you enjoyed the video, It’s gotten me out of a few tricky situations! amzn.to/49I9305
Nice too! Thank you Tom for teaching us about it. Necessity is a Mother.
You’re welcome! :)
What an awesome tool!
Yeah it really is!
@@VintageEngineRepairs It is indeed a great tool, and the sort of thing we might have made back in my toolmaker days, some time in the last century. But Where can you get it from? Did I miss that bit? Please post the link if you have one.
Thank you for sharing.
Edit:
Just watched your vid again and I see you mentioned the maker POWERBUILT. Just Googled it: £30, and apparently Sealey do one for £17. I don’t normally like Sealey, but they do appear to be the same product. Shop around I guess. A set with multiple sizes would be a good option.
I don’t have a link I’m afraid, I used Amazon, but I’m in Australia so it won’t help lol I presume
you’re USA?,
Very well explained and good coverage of potential pitfalls.
Thank you :)
Excellent explanation! Thank you so much.
You’re welcome!
Brilliant video. Thank you.
You’re welcome 👍
Love the background. Most calming. Peace.
Awesome, thanks, I prefer it to my dull room haha
Finally, someone who uses a Crescent wrench / shifting spanner correctly! Good video, great product and advise.
Thanks for the kind words, haha yes, there is a right and wrong way to use one that many don’t realise. I may even do a short video on it!
Excellent job with the DETAILS of adjusting the rod/tightness as you come back with the tap! By NOT forcing this tool, I should think that would help avoid breakage complaints that appear online...Great thorough job!
You’re spot on :) thanks for the kind words!!
Brilliant tool and excellent video explaining it, thank you!
You’re welcome!
Really helpful video. Thanks
Thanks for the kind words :) glad you enjoyed it!
Nice one, Tom.
Although I have several 14mm spark plug thread repair tool kits, inserts etc already on hand but I've never seen one that works like that, brilliant!!
So far I've only ever had to do one spark plug thread repair in all my years.
I've probably just been lucky, or most of my customer's hadn't already 'been tinkering' before bringing their machine to me for servicing etc😁
However, now the weather is cooling down, this gives me a good idea for a possible upcoming lathe and milling machine project, another tool to have on the shelf that I hopefully never need🤣👍🇦🇺
Wow that is lucky!! Yeah always good to have on hand :) thanks for watching!
Great video, THANKS !!!!
You’re welcome :)
Thanks for the heads up on this super tool.
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video!
Great demonstration!
Thanks!
Thankfully I've never needed such a tool but I can definitely see how this would be very useful. Slick design for sure.
Absolutely :) thanks for watching!
That is a great tool. Thanks, I have never seen one like this before.
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it :)
I was working on my 04 Dora the explorer 4.0 and crossthreaded the hard to see plug on the rear passenger side and was about to shop it until I did some research and found this tool ordered from Amazon and it fixed my life. This little tool is pure genius and works like a charm.
Awesome to hear! Good stuff :)
Wow. What a great tool. Very clever.
Thanks for watching!
Great video mate
Thanks mate!
Well said Mate! Good on you for posting this. Trained as a machinist in the Navy. I worked in different machine shops. Job shop machining new parts and several automotive machine shops. It was in the automotive machine shops that we would see chewed up threads and many broken fasteners. Slow is to way to go. All the best and may God bless.
Thank you for your kind words glad you enjoyed the video! :) May God bless you too mate.
The headache and heartache this tool could have saved for so many mechanics over the years. Thank's for sharing.
Ahh I bet! Thanks for watching :)
Came to comment exactly the same.
The 80’s were full of helping friends who’d broke spark plugs in situ and then the monster job of sorting.
This tool would have been my best friend. 😂
What an amazing tool. 👍👍
Agreed!
Cool. I have worked on cars for about 25yrs. I am a DIY mechanic with no formal training. I sold parts for a while and that's about it. But I had a lot of mechanic friends to learn from.
Tools like this are life savers.
A tip for the spark plug hole. Have a Datavac used for computers with the long thin plastic tip. You can set that on full power and slowly go into the spark plug hole and suck out any leftover shavings. Also good to do it before removing the plugs, vacuum up any dirt or whatever around the plug so when you remove it, nothing falls in.
Thanks for sharing that tip! Glad you enjoyed the video 👍
Excellent channel, a real engineer
I’m glad you enjoy my videos! Thanks :)
This is actually pretty amazing 👏 ❤
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Cool tool and great idea.
I recon!! :)
BRILLIANT! I totally need one!!
Awesome :) glad you enjoyed my video!
Nicely explained technical issues with a nice and good British language !
Thank you! :)
this appears to be an awesome tool !! thank you for the information !
You’re welcome!! :),
Thanks. I'll keep it in mind should I ever need it.
Absolutely:)
Had this tool for years but thankfully only had to use it once!!
That’s awesome, at least it paid for itself in the first use :)
@@VintageEngineRepairs To get myself out of the bind I was in I woulda paid double! LOL!!!
Hahah totally understand
Brilliant !!!
Thanks! :)
I've had one of these for about 20 years. Only used it a couple of times, once because of my mistake and once to repair someone else's. It more than paid for itself.
That’s awesome :) i have enjoyed using mine!
Amazing & never seen this before, great video & thanks for sharing !
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching :)
Great too. Thank you for showing us
You’re welcome :) glad you enjoyed it!
so amazing background........love the landscaps,,,, your work too
Thanks for the kind words :)
@@VintageEngineRepairs its my pleasure
That’s awesome!!! Thanks for the great video!!
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching :)
Ok that is a fantastic tool Tom thanks for the tip !
You’re welcome mate :)
Great tool, this saved my $$$$ Ford Racing engine I bought 2nd hand from a moron, he had cross threaded #5 and used taper seat spark plugs where gasket seat are required. I had to remove the header to allow access to the hole, then I greased it up, put it in, tightened it fully and backed it out. All good!
Awesome! Nice save :)
Smart ingenuity
Agreed!
When you need one of these things, they are a life saver.
Absolutely agree :)
Really v usefull for mechanics.
Agreeed!
Excellent idea
I agree!
You sold it on just this first video, subscribed !
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for subbing!!
Looks like a nice tool! I learned you can make a couple of vertical cuts in an old plug threads (Or use a tap, if you have one.) to use as a cleaner for the head threads. The crud will accumulate in the grooves which can be wire brushed out and then used until it comes out clean. On certain engines that run "cool", I use a tiny amount of Anti-Seize paste on the threads. Some people say don't do it, but it has always worked great for me. I don't ever remember seeing a spark plug up in the opening like the one shown in this video, but I am not a "pro" mechanic.
I’ve done this before too :) it just means you have to dissemble the engine though as you need to access the clean undamaged threads first!
Nice tool 🔧 thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Good stuff.
Thanks :)
Trick to never cross thread is to turn spark plug counter clockwise then turn into the threaded hole it lines it up correctly
Absolutely right :) I also use a tube designed for spark plug thread install too! Gives you that reach without the ability to force threads.
The tool looks great, thanks for the tip! And if it doesn't work you can still go back to the usual solution, so no harm done
Exactly right :) thanks for watching!
Very cool
Thanks for watching :)
50+ years in the auto parts business and working with mechanics. I've never seen tjs tool........I want one !!
Haha awesome :) here is my affiliate link if you like, takes you to Amazon: amzn.to/49I9305
Cool tool! I could have used this 20 years ago.
Haha I have heard that a lot 👍
That’s pretty awesome
I recon to!
thanks
You’re welcome :)
That is a lovely tool.
I agree! I wish I designed it haha
cool ..... i didn't know there was a tool like this until now ..... good to know
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Brilliant. Not being a professional mechanic I've not into this problem, but that is an ingenious way to deal with it.
It really is isn’t it :)
Great invention, I really like the collet idea hopefully there is enough room with the piston in bdc.
Thanks for watching 👍👍
Bloody brilliant!!!
Couldn’t agree more!
Good tip!😺
Thanks :)
Thanks! 😊
You’re welcome :)
I'll be looking to get one of these in my tool box.
Nice :) I’m considering the m12 version too haha
Excellent tool thank you for showing us
You’re welcome, yes I love it!
Great demo
Thank you!
Fantastic video Tom 😊 thanks for sharing brother 👍 🙏 great tool
Thanks mate :) I appreciate the kind words!
Nice video and demonstration Tom, one more tool I'll need to add to my list. 🙂👍
Thank you brother :) 👍👍
Cool beans, never knew I needed one! Especially for CAG pocket bike motors where the head and jug is a single unit eh. Sweet.
Oh cool! Yeah that would be a perfect use for something like this! I don’t have any links or anything, just google the company name and the size you want :) this is m14 x 1.25 which covers 99% of the machines I service!
Wow Tom that is a awesome tool brother 😊 Thanks for sharing buddy 👍
Glad you enjoyed it mate!!
Bravo ottima descrizione.
Thanks!
Cool little thread chaser and yeah definitely an easy way to fix up a goof-up with a spark-plug that's been cross threaded.
Absolutely :)
Great video, I have used this tool, it’s wonderful.
Very reasonably priced, one of those tools not used very often like lisle spark plug remover but a lifesaver to have on hand.
One tip, rotate engine to close valves as best you can, blow out cylinder with compressed air with an extension to reach inside before and after removing tool and after cleaning and spraying down.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing :)
Great presentation
Thank you! I really appreciate it
Great video Tom, have used these many times, tho for really damaged threads, you will need to do a more permanent repair, but for those first 3 or so crossed threads from ignorant assembly, they are very useful.
Thanks for watching and sharing!
It does make perfect sense!! It’s using the tail end of the threads to chase but in reverse!! The person that came up with this idea has outsmarted probably almost every grease monkey ever! I’m sold where are they available from or at?
Haha so true! Here is a link on Amazon for you :) amzn.to/49I9305
That an ingenious tool. It will also work on car engines to.😊
Yep!! Motorcycles and RC engines as well :)
I got one of those from Amazon and use it on my Harley-Davidson I pulled the spark plug out while it was still hot messed up the threads on aluminum head this work really nice and easy and quick didn't have to pull the head off or anything make sure you put grease on the threads before you put it in there so the metal shaving stick to the grease
Awesome :) glad you love them too!!