ok, I think that I have posted about my annoying ticking noise before but..

I changed the plugs and wires on my 90 L98 awhile back and after I was done it had this annoying ticking noise that sounded like an exhaust leak. I had the sickening feeling that I had somehow cross-threaded one of the plugs. After many hours trying to find it I conceded and took it to a shop. They claimed that #8 was cross-threaded but they managed to tap it out and everything was supposedly fine. I got the car back and it still made the noise just not at the volume it was previously.

Today I finally found the time to dig into it again since it's been driving me nuts.

Here are pics of the mismatched plug that I pulled out of #8

It is obvious to me that it has not been threaded all of the way into the hole since it's rusty on the lower portion of the threads. I tried my thread chaser and it will not go all the way in either. You can also see the burnt spot on the side.

I'm about to go get a tap and another new NGK plug to try to fix this. I hope my head isn't F'd!

My question is. Is #8 supposed to be angled towards the front of the car or did these jacklegs tap it all wrong. Any input on why only half of the tip is carbon'd up would be interesting too.

Thanks,
Jeff

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Yes, the #8 plug should be angled toward the front of the engine the same degrees the #2 plug is angled toward the rear.
Odd that it would rust up that quick. You are putting some anti-seize on the threads. Sometimes a short piece of rubber hose slipped over the insulator can help starting an awkward plug.

I have learned how to twist and turn my body to get the plug started by hand which is what I did the first time I changed them. It baffles me how this one got a messed up.

I am putting anti-seize on the threads, that is actually my indicator of how far the plug is going in.

That plug has been in there since June 12th.

Thanks for the confirmation of which way the plug is angled!

I generally get about 20-25 little twists of the wrist then I know I'm close and put the handle on it. Hard to gauge it sometimes.

Wow, that was not a fun task. Ended up having to go buy a tap and tap that one out! I'm sure that I will have to eventually pull the head and have a heli-coil put in that hole but it will get me through the summer.

It runs SOOOOOO much better now!!

Ever heard that song that goes "She f$%king hates me.."? that is my new theme song for the Vette.

Now it sounds like #7 has the same problem and the block is showing some form of moisture all around that plug!!!!

Couldn't mess with it last night since the engine was still pretty warm at 9pm.