The Cal-van Insert Kit for 2V is a very robust solution for fixing blown plugs. I would say the only way it would not work is if the head was cracked badly in the combustion chamber around the plug hole.
This is not just my experience which is rather limited (i have done 4 inserts total on a 2002 E-250 5.4L and a 1997 E-150 5.4L).
In this video is the primary authority on Ford Triton sparkplug thread repair using Cal-Van 2V inserts. But even Ron Williams has an error in his primary video.
Cal-van Comparison with inferior inserts
Last update on calvan inserts
Primary install video (Do Not use the circlip when reaming. Only use it when cutting threads with the tap. It needs to go all the way through. )
If you use the circlip with the ream, the ream will fall short of going all the way in. The tap will then be much harder to turn when cutting new threads because the hole is too small (i.e. it was not fully reamed). And for a bonus the end of the spark plug hole will break off in to the cylinder.
Other than this I would upgrade from red locktite to ESKONKE green R680.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1
I discovered a time sert like in the video above that was breaking out through the bottom of the spark plug flattening my electrode strap. It has to come out (a week later)
I was able to get the insert out without breaking the bond, but then used a map-gas torch to heat the bond and get the threads off.
You should only use Motocraft spark plugs, and also torque a little tighter than the factory spec. I have done 20 ft-lbs and another YouTube channel uses 25 ft-lbs.
I also make sure the sparkplug threads every clean using carb cleaner and hand screwing the plug into the hole several times.
If you have an insert installed, it should be clean with the insert installed on the plug. So when you are torquing to are tighten the steel insert OD into the head and the steel spark plug into the insert ID.
Other than using the proper spark plug, and proper torque and keeping it clean, I don't know how a Cal Van insert can fail other than it got cross threaded into the whole.
The i9mnserts are put in with JB weld and copyright z(green R-680 in my case) and I allow the insert after torquing to cure overnight a full 24 hours. Then I start the engine up and let it idle to allow the JB weld and R-680 to cure under relatively low pressures.
If someone was doing all the cylinders at once, they would need to ream and cut all the plug threads at once so they could install the inserts without turning over the engine (potentially disturbing the still liquid epoxy and retaining compounds). If they did not do this then it might have compromised the insert install.
SilVan
AWOL
2008 GMC 3500 SMB
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