361 Ford question

Erik Ks farmer · Oct 7, 2012

I have a 361 in a 76 Ford cabover that I haul grain with, it started running rough under load on the last couple loads of corn I took in, I picked up a fuel pump, but I got to looking it over before I took the pump off. The #3 plug on the right bank was loose and the wire had melted to it. I pulled out the plug and the threads are a mess. I'm not sure what to do here, what would have caused the plug to work loose? Is it worth trying to thread a new plug in to get through bean harvest (86 acres)?

J.Wondergem · Oct 7, 2012

Or put a heli coil in , then a new plug.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 7, 2012

Re-tap and see if it holds

cole in mo. · Oct 7, 2012

Somtimes a plug will work loose, then the cumbustion blows past the threads, causing what you see on yours. Ease a new plug in it and go.

60 acre hillside · Oct 7, 2012

I have a 18mm spark plug clean-up die they are available at most any parts house

Shorty 38 · Oct 7, 2012

Yes, Heli-coil is the answere, I found the bushing type to work the best for spark plugs.

DeltaRed · Oct 7, 2012

At one time I had a 390 in a '67 F 100 that would
rutinely "blow out" a plug(always the same
hole).Screw it back in and keep on
going.WARNING:wear gloves before screwing hot plug
back into engine.

Shorty 38 · Oct 7, 2012

Yes, Heli-coil is the answere, I found the bushing type to work the best for spark plugs.

BushogPapa · Oct 7, 2012

IF you get the idea to pull and replace the head...

The 361 and 391 He DO NOT interchange with the 352, 360 or 390 engines...
The Heat passages through the Heads are in a different place and will not match the Intake manifold..
You would need to replace the entire pair of Heads and the Intake, to use 352/360 or 390 Heads..
BTDT...

Ron..

Huskers86 · Oct 7, 2012

Go to the auto parts store and get a thread chaser. It's a tap for straightning out plug holes. I've used that thing many times on buggered up plug threads and have had great results. I don't think you want a heli coil as I'm sure the plug seat is tapered.

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Oct 7, 2012

I"d try the thread chaser. For anything else Ford FE related, check out Ford FE dot com. If you want to replace the heads, I have a set plain 390 pickup heads still in the wrappers from a rebuilder and a cast iron S code 4V intake. Email me if interested.

RodinNS · Oct 8, 2012

Try chasing the thread with a tap. If that doesn't tighten it up, use a Heli-Coil. That will work.

Rod

361 Ford question

Erik Ks farmer

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J.Wondergem

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Anonymous-0

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cole in mo.

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60 acre hillside

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Shorty 38

New User

DeltaRed

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Shorty 38

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BushogPapa

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Huskers86

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Brian Jasper co. Ia

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RodinNS

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