Oil Pan plug removal

[jimainnj]

Once again the 60 year old Ply refuses to cooperate, got it running great 1st time since I got it in Oct 08, put it on he lift to change oil and the plug was screwed up by "who Knows" with a pipe wrench, tried with pipe wrench and hammer and BP Blaster(in case) still will not come loose any other suggestion would appreciated. The shoulder on this plug is really narrow. Jim

[Reg Evans]

Maybe some heat and a large set of vice grips. The threads shouldn't be rusted in that oily environment.

[Young Ed]

How screwed up is it? Can you still get a socket or wrench on it? Otherwise what about hitting it with a chisel?

[BobT-47P15]

I would probably try vice grips.

Those can be a real pain, especially when you are under the car and

not in the best position anyway.

[greg g]

If you have acces to a welder, you might try welding a new head on the plug, or a piece of scrap steel you can whack with a hammer.

[jimainnj]

I have the car on the lift at home but it will go up enough so I can bend down, I can't get a socket on it the pipe wrench slips off becuse the shoulder is so narrow, I'll try a chisel. Can't figure out why its so tight.

I guess putting heat onthe plug will only swell it up? Jim

[Norm's Coupe]

If you heat it, it will cause the metal to expand. But........as it cools, the metal will contract. If there is some corrosion holding it on, it should break loose from the expansion and contraction of the metal. It is possible that the previous owner cross threaded it when they put it on too. If that's case, it's going to really be hard to get out of there. Careful with the heat. You are also heating the oil up in the pan.

[aero3113]

Im sure you already know this but Remember, Lefty Loosey Righty Tighty

[blueskies]

I had the same problem with the drain plug on my '65 Honda motorcycle. The plub was rounded completely off, and was just a nub. Vice grips wouldn't hold, and just chewed more off. I finally tried a cold chisel, an was able to work the plug out. Once I got it out, I welded a big nut to the plug, so that I could get a wrench on it.

Pete

[jimainnj]

well still no luck, tried chisel, friend try 18" channell locks, pipe wrench etc.

Hope its not cross threaded, I did turn it to the left. I'll look at it tomorrow

again & try chisel, Have to order Tie rod ends on the driver side, sure was hard to stear. Jim

[Norm's Coupe]

Jim,

You might try one of these. This set was given to me a couple of years ago. As you can see I haven't had a need to use them yet. But........my son gave them to me because he liked them. Said they work great for getting bolts out when the head was rounded off. They dig in and grip anyplace on the rounded heads. Now, there isn't one big enough in this set, but you probably could buy the size you needed at an auto parts store or tool store. I forgot the exact name of the sockets though. Think they are called "Easy Off's". If that's wrong someone jump in here and give the correct name.

If you can get the right size you could put a breaker bar on the socket and should be able to turn that plug out.

[jimainnj]

Norm Thanks I'll see if I can locate them I"m pretty sure the size is 1 1/8 " as a socket I tried fit but of course the plug was chewed and won't stay on.

I've never seen a plug like it, the back of it is tappered and it's about 1 1/4"

then the bolts size with a very narroe shoulder, was this type original, I wonder what I'll get to replace it, don't know the actural thread size yet.

[oldmopar]

The removal tool Norm is describing is sold by sears not sure if they have the patent or if anyone else is selling them.

If all else fails you should be able to drill it out and retap or install a replacement plug. Drilling it out would be a little messy but with the problems you are having it is a option to consider. I would use a few drill bits start small and work up.

[jimainnj]

kI checked with Sears and Harbor They only go up to 3/4" Not big enough

unlless I make the head of the bolt smaller? Shell the bolt in your Pic is about the size but mine does not look like that one.

[40phil41]

kI checked with Sears and Harbor They only go up to 3/4" Not big enough

unlless I make the head of the bolt smaller? Shell the bolt in your Pic is about the size but mine does not look like that one.

Youve just touched on the solution. I had the same problem with the crankshaft pulley on my Corvair. I took my dremel and ground the head down to the next smaller socket size. Worked beautifully.

Phil

[John Mulders]

don't want to be a smart...

I remember I turned it to the left looking from top down.. but that is the wrong way. I could not get it loose at first, then turned it the other way and it came loose.

Hope you get it loose without any damage!

John

[Frank Elder]

Maybe the PO jammed the wrong plug in, metric or wrong amt of threads as a replacement?

[jimainnj]

I'll keep ya posted good Idea's tonight on forum. Jim

[RobertKB]

New idea, try to locate another oil pan! I have one but it is for the 25" Canadian Plymouth engine.

[Andydodge]

Are you sure that the whole things not turning?.....the threaded part on these is a piece of steel with the thread cut into the hole and then spot welded onto the inside of the pan, I have not seen this happen BUT it could be possible in that the thing has been tightened to the point of braking the spot welds and when you go to turn the drain plug bolt head you are actually turning the whole piece inside the pan.........if this scenario is not whats happening but its just the head of the drain plug being difficult, try either filing/grinding it down to a smaller hex and fit a socket thats a tight fit or maybe just file a "flat" on either side of the head and use an open mouth spanner thats a good fit.........good luck.....andyd

[Young Ed]

What about taking a grinder and making a screw driver slot? I've done that before on smaller items and its worked well.

[Tim Frank]

What about taking a grinder and making a screw driver slot? I've done that before on smaller items and its worked well.

YE beat me to the draw.

I use a hacksaw to cut a slot and then an impact driver to loosen the plug.

[BobT-47P15]

This is a picture of the oil plug in the 54 model engine in my early 49 P15.

Not the best pic for your problem. But, this is how mine is made.

Maybe yours is similar.

Seems like it was rather a pain to get it out.

[Young Ed]

Bob I wish my car had one that was only a 3/4. Mine is over an inch and is kinda messed up from people using incorrect tools to get it off over the years.

[jimainnj]

Bob I wish it was like that, Ed gave the exact problem, this plug is 1 1/8' and

the treads are probably the same, I tried heat and wax no good, I tried to cut it down to size with are saw it just parley scratch the service the blade

was done, I tried chisle again nothing,Pipe wrench nothing. I am now eating

lunch and thinking about cut of wheel to make the bolt smaller but I don't think it will fit for the top of bolt or all the way on thne side's and its 3' whee.

I just might call in a welder to put some thing on so I can wac it. Jim