06 xb12s spark plug hole stripped

[Xb lightening]

:( as title states on the front cylinder the spark plug hole is cross threaded. While replacing the spark plugs the rear old plug came out find and the new one as well. The front one was a little sketchy coming out but looked fine. As I was putting the new plug in the front cylinder it fed itself in at the wrong angle and now it is cross threaded. I called around for pricing and I first called the Harley dealer and got a quote of 1,500. They told me they have to remove the motor to remove the head and heli coil it. I then called a local shop and he gave me an estimate of 600 to 1,200 and told me he would have to see the bike to let me know. I then called another local shop with amazing reviews an well known. He quoted me 350 which is amazing. Almost too good to be true. What I really want to know is what is involved in putting heli coils in. Do they need to drop the motor? The shop that quoted me 350 Said that other places were prolly charging so much is because they were going to take the jug and all apart when he was only going to take the head off to do the work. Which is understanding. Give me your input and of this is too good to be true!

[uly luigi]

Once you crack the head loose you have to pull the jug anyway, you have to put a new base gasket under the jug, I think they are low balling you, including Time-Sert you should be looking at 600 bucks, don't let them use a Heli-Coil, they may try to do it without pulling the head, which is "Possible", but definitely not preferred. JMHO

[konarider94]

some people do the timesert with the head on. for the buell you would at least have to rotate the engine down to get access to the spark plug. if you put grease on the cutting tools it is supposed to hold the chips. they do it all the time at the ford dealer on the 5.4 v8's. not sure if i would do it that way but its been done a lot.

but if you do pull the head you have to remove the jug like uly_luigi said

[Theycallmecrash]

time-sert [up] heli-coil [down]

its a fix, but ive seen a lot of repaired spark plug holes blow out over time. (generally speaking in automotive) i myself wouldnt feel secure or confident in my bike after a repair like that, id constantly be worried the plug will blow out on me, and end up having to replace the head anyways, and redo all the labor/cost

edit: like kona said 5.4L fords, its done often and often blow the plug out again.

[Xb lightening]

Hmm so I take it he doesn't really know what he's talking about then

[uly luigi]

He probly knows, just getting you in then hit you for the other 200-300 bucks after he starts

[Xb lightening]

Yeah that sounds about right. Good to know about heli-coils!

[g3stripes]

not a heli coil fan but ive seen them last for years with no problems, probably has to do with proper proceedure