Pulled spark pugs and ... what the ??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pressedfortime · 07-19-2002, 02:27 AM

Surely someone else has had this happen. On one of the plugs, the tip and electrode are gone, the plug is basically flat on the bottom and there is a hole where the electrode went. I guess it stopped firing after it fell apart, but what do I do about the shrapnel in the valve? Go digging for it with a magnet (small one through spark plug hole) ... run it / don't run it? Take the head off? Please help!

Slayer_EC · 07-19-2002, 02:33 AM

First off, how long has the plug been in there?

But, I think that a magnet may do the trick, or you could use a flash light and a long needle nose pliers, unless they are stuck in there good, then might want to rip the head off to be safe.

Taking off the head may prevent any damage to the threads and stuff that may be caused by the pliers.

Patrick Sullivan · 07-19-2002, 03:35 AM

Good lord, I don't want to think about what that stuff floating around in the cylinder is doing to things. How long did it run like this?

Try the magnet first, but don't be afraid to pull the head.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 07-19-2002, 04:59 AM

I had plugs smashed on cyls # 6 + 7 on a 327 that was in my '71 Jimmy when I bought it. This happened after me and a buddy tried to lean out and jet down a 780 cfm double pumper Holley to pass Emissions. (Ha!) Somehow the valves got "sucked" and the lack of pressure let the piston head contact the plugs and it lunched on me. It dragged me home on 6 cylinders but it sat until I got a crate 350 in it. I haven't had a machinist autopsy the 327 block. I'm hoping it's a rebuildable core, but I haven't had the time for a rebuild.

As far as for your FOD [foreign object debris] situation -- a magnet wouldn't get the micro ceramic particles of the plug body. A mini vacuum thru the sparkplug hole would be better, but with a valve job, you'd have no worries.

Blazer1970 · 07-19-2002, 07:33 AM

Severe detonation can cause that to happen. Most likely the junk got blown out through the exaust valve, but it is possible that the cylinder got scored. Do a compression test.

REPO1 · 07-19-2002, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blazer1970
Severe detonation can cause that to happen. Most likely the junk got blown out through the exaust valve, but it is possible that the cylinder got scored. Do a compression test.

I agree. I don't think the item will still be in there. Do a compression test, and if it turns out ok, drive it. But you should check to see if indeed you are getting some detonation. Because he is right, that causes the ends of the plugs to blow off. Nitrous users see this some times.

68 with 350 TPI · 07-19-2002, 12:45 PM

I would turn the motor over by hand to get the piston up to the top of its travel.
Check in there with a flashlight to see what you can and then use a small magnet to fish around just to be on the safe side.

I agree that the part is probably not in there anymore but it never hurts to be safe.

Also get a cheap compression guage and see if it hurt anything.

Look for all the cyls to be within about 10-15% of each other at most.

07-19-2002, 02:27 AM	#1
pressedfortime Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Humble, TX Posts: 1	Pulled spark pugs and ... what the ??? Surely someone else has had this happen. On one of the plugs, the tip and electrode are gone, the plug is basically flat on the bottom and there is a hole where the electrode went. I guess it stopped firing after it fell apart, but what do I do about the shrapnel in the valve? Go digging for it with a magnet (small one through spark plug hole) ... run it / don't run it? Take the head off? Please help! __________________ 69 C10 / 400 SB / TH350

07-19-2002, 02:33 AM	#2
Slayer_EC Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 23	First off, how long has the plug been in there? But, I think that a magnet may do the trick, or you could use a flash light and a long needle nose pliers, unless they are stuck in there good, then might want to rip the head off to be safe. Taking off the head may prevent any damage to the threads and stuff that may be caused by the pliers. __________________ -::{Hardcore Gamer {ELITE} Lan Party Un-Stopable}::- -::{E-Mail Me}::- -::{1971 Project Truck {Import Killer} Sshhiinnyy}::-

07-19-2002, 03:35 AM	#3
Patrick Sullivan Transcendental Trucker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Rockaway Beach, OR Posts: 374	Good lord, I don't want to think about what that stuff floating around in the cylinder is doing to things. How long did it run like this? Try the magnet first, but don't be afraid to pull the head. __________________ Patrick Sullivan \| sullivan@oregoncoast.com Rockaway Beach, Oregon 1972 Chevy Cheyenne C-20 1998 Dodge Dakota 4x4 So, fill to me the parting glass And drink a health whate'er befalls... Then gently rise and softly call Goodnight and joy be to you all!

07-19-2002, 07:33 AM	#5
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,507	Severe detonation can cause that to happen. Most likely the junk got blown out through the exaust valve, but it is possible that the cylinder got scored. Do a compression test. __________________ Tim

07-19-2002, 12:45 PM	#7
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	I would turn the motor over by hand to get the piston up to the top of its travel. Check in there with a flashlight to see what you can and then use a small magnet to fish around just to be on the safe side. I agree that the part is probably not in there anymore but it never hurts to be safe. Also get a cheap compression guage and see if it hurt anything. Look for all the cyls to be within about 10-15% of each other at most. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

07-19-2002, 04:59 AM	#4
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,504	I had plugs smashed on cyls # 6 + 7 on a 327 that was in my '71 Jimmy when I bought it. This happened after me and a buddy tried to lean out and jet down a 780 cfm double pumper Holley to pass Emissions. (Ha!) Somehow the valves got "sucked" and the lack of pressure let the piston head contact the plugs and it lunched on me. It dragged me home on 6 cylinders but it sat until I got a crate 350 in it. I haven't had a machinist autopsy the 327 block. I'm hoping it's a rebuildable core, but I haven't had the time for a rebuild. As far as for your FOD [foreign object debris] situation -- a magnet wouldn't get the micro ceramic particles of the plug body. A mini vacuum thru the sparkplug hole would be better, but with a valve job, you'd have no worries.

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