The Ford Barn

flatheadA · 04-12-2012, 09:34 PM

Went to change the oil today on the flattie,after I drained the pan,went to put plug in and the threads are almost gone.It only catches the bottom threads of the plug and will not tighten up.Any suggestions on how to repair this without removing pan.
Menno

40 Deluxe · 04-12-2012, 10:25 PM

Step 1. DO NOT use one of those oversize self-tapping drain plugs! You will most likely have a permanent leak thereafter if you do!
Step 2. First try just a new plug! At least on newer vehicles, the pan insert is much harder than the plug so when Harry Hammerhand gets to it, he strips the plug and not the pan. A new plug and you're good to go. In the past 25+ years as a mechanic, I have not had to use one of those evil self-threading oversize plugs but end up with a good-sized handful of stripped plugs every year.
Step 3. If it is your pan that is stripped, go to a good parts house and ask to see a catalog (Dorman, maybe) of drain plugs and find one the next size up (it may be metric). Get a tap that size and drill and retap. If you aimed the drill right, no more leaks.
This is assuming you have a later model with a regular sized plug. If you have the early large-mouthd plug, it may be necessary to drop the pan. A 'farmer fix' here may be disasterous.

Scott H · 04-12-2012, 10:58 PM

I suppose duct tape is out of the question?

40 Deluxe · 04-13-2012, 01:34 AM

Only if you get permission from Red Green first!

flatheadA · 04-13-2012, 07:38 AM

This is the plug that was in the pan.Is this correct it looks like a self tapping plug.
Menno

Scott H · 04-13-2012, 08:08 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

nope

19Fordy · 04-13-2012, 08:34 AM

Would it be safe to weld a new drain plug bung to the pan with a new matching plug?
Would a series of high penetration tack welds would work without setting anything on fire.

flatheadA · 04-13-2012, 09:12 AM

Scott H ,are you saying that is not the correct plug.

Jack E/NJ · 04-13-2012, 10:49 AM

http://www.dormanproducts.com/gsearc...ck+seal+rubber

Jack E/NJ

Scott H · 04-13-2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatheadA

Scott H ,are you saying that is not the correct plug.

Sorry for the short answer, it was in response to your question "is this the correct plug"...no it is not

Yes, it is a self-tapping plug and that is probably what finished ruining the threads after they were already buggered by a previous mechanic/owner.

flatheadA · 04-13-2012, 02:25 PM

Thanks Scott H,
I found a plug that would be the next size bigger 20-1.5 mm,I may try to do the job without removing pan.

hugeal · 04-15-2012, 12:51 PM

Hi
the plug looks like a dran plug that is magnetized. This type of plug is s real good idea as it will pick-up fine particles of steel, and iron your oil. It won,t however attract to copper, brass, or aluminum.
I had the same problem some years ago, so i removed the pan, inspected the threads and they were good
and tig welded the insert in. No problems now. Ford only crimped the insert in the pan.

Al

'

ken ct · 04-15-2012, 03:49 PM

Ive been useing an "O" ring on my Motor Home generator that had a leaking fiber gasket.I change it for a new one every time i change the oil which is every 100 hrs and it cured the leak. You dont tighen it up too much snug and then maybe another 1/2 turn. Worked for me 3 yrs so far. ken ct.

04-12-2012, 09:34 PM	#1
flatheadA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: G.R. MICHIGAN Posts: 122	drain plug repair Went to change the oil today on the flattie,after I drained the pan,went to put plug in and the threads are almost gone.It only catches the bottom threads of the plug and will not tighten up.Any suggestions on how to repair this without removing pan. Menno

04-12-2012, 10:25 PM	#2
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,781	Re: drain plug repair Step 1. DO NOT use one of those oversize self-tapping drain plugs! You will most likely have a permanent leak thereafter if you do! Step 2. First try just a new plug! At least on newer vehicles, the pan insert is much harder than the plug so when Harry Hammerhand gets to it, he strips the plug and not the pan. A new plug and you're good to go. In the past 25+ years as a mechanic, I have not had to use one of those evil self-threading oversize plugs but end up with a good-sized handful of stripped plugs every year. Step 3. If it is your pan that is stripped, go to a good parts house and ask to see a catalog (Dorman, maybe) of drain plugs and find one the next size up (it may be metric). Get a tap that size and drill and retap. If you aimed the drill right, no more leaks. This is assuming you have a later model with a regular sized plug. If you have the early large-mouthd plug, it may be necessary to drop the pan. A 'farmer fix' here may be disasterous.

04-12-2012, 10:58 PM	#3
Scott H Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wheaton, IL (west chicago) Posts: 558	Re: drain plug repair I suppose duct tape is out of the question? __________________ 36 1/2 ton pickup on 38 car frame with 1940 v8 24 stud

04-13-2012, 01:34 AM	#4
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,781	Re: drain plug repair Only if you get permission from Red Green first!

04-13-2012, 08:08 AM	#6
Scott H Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wheaton, IL (west chicago) Posts: 558	Re: drain plug repair Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) nope __________________ 36 1/2 ton pickup on 38 car frame with 1940 v8 24 stud

04-13-2012, 08:34 AM	#7
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,967	Re: drain plug repair Would it be safe to weld a new drain plug bung to the pan with a new matching plug? Would a series of high penetration tack welds would work without setting anything on fire.

04-13-2012, 09:12 AM	#8
flatheadA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: G.R. MICHIGAN Posts: 122	Re: drain plug repair Scott H ,are you saying that is not the correct plug.

04-13-2012, 10:49 AM	#9
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: drain plug repair http://www.dormanproducts.com/gsearc...ck+seal+rubber Jack E/NJ

04-13-2012, 02:25 PM	#11
flatheadA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: G.R. MICHIGAN Posts: 122	Re: drain plug repair Thanks Scott H, I found a plug that would be the next size bigger 20-1.5 mm,I may try to do the job without removing pan.

04-15-2012, 12:51 PM	#12
hugeal Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 40	Re: drain plug repair Hi the plug looks like a dran plug that is magnetized. This type of plug is s real good idea as it will pick-up fine particles of steel, and iron your oil. It won,t however attract to copper, brass, or aluminum. I had the same problem some years ago, so i removed the pan, inspected the threads and they were good and tig welded the insert in. No problems now. Ford only crimped the insert in the pan. Al '

04-15-2012, 03:49 PM	#13
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: drain plug repair Ive been useing an "O" ring on my Motor Home generator that had a leaking fiber gasket.I change it for a new one every time i change the oil which is every 100 hrs and it cured the leak. You dont tighen it up too much snug and then maybe another 1/2 turn. Worked for me 3 yrs so far. ken ct.