Bingster Posted July 23, 2017 Report Posted July 23, 2017 On the front left lower side of my flat head, coming out of the block behind the left generator bracket bolt, there is a small type of set screw with a squared head that is the same diameter as the screw body. A few threads are showing. It looks to be some sort of fluid drain plug. Anybody know what it's used for? set screw type of thing Quote
Young Ed Posted July 23, 2017 Report Posted July 23, 2017 is it in the oil gallery? There are plugs along there where you can tap into the oil supply for the filter or gauge. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted July 23, 2017 Report Posted July 23, 2017 these plugs seal the block from where it was bored to route oil to the cam bearings.. my other answer...it was dark and I was drunk..... 2 Quote
Bingster Posted July 23, 2017 Author Report Posted July 23, 2017 I guess I wouldn't know if it was in the oil gallery. And with it being a screw that is not tightened down to the screw head, I suppose there must be some reason that it isn't. On the other hand, who would ever want to access it behind the generator bracket? Quote
Young Ed Posted July 23, 2017 Report Posted July 23, 2017 Just now, Bingster said: I guess I wouldn't know if it was in the oil gallery. And with it being a screw that is not tightened down to the screw head, I suppose there must be some reason that it isn't. On the other hand, who would ever want to access it behind the generator bracket? Got a pic of the location? Quote
Frank Elder Posted July 23, 2017 Report Posted July 23, 2017 It's not a screw it is a pipe threaded plug.....you know like cast iron pipe for your plumbing. Quote
DonaldSmith Posted July 23, 2017 Report Posted July 23, 2017 (edited) Pipe threads are tapered, so that, theoretically, when you tighten the joint, it doesn't leak. In the real world, there are pipe dope and teflon tape. (Edit: photo: There's the little plug, behind the generator/alternator bracket. The oil gallery is that ridge at the bottom of the block. The next boss to the right wasn't tapped. The next one has a pipe plug. Farther back may be a connection for an oil filter. Edited July 23, 2017 by DonaldSmith additional info Quote
thebeebe5 Posted July 23, 2017 Report Posted July 23, 2017 (edited) This hole above the horizontal generator bracket mount holes? Oil Galley plug holes. As @Plymouthy Adams mentioned the galleys had to be drilled somehow. The holes in the outside of the block (and on some engine types inside the block) are simply plugged up with a pipe threaded plug of various types. Some engine types have a pipe plug like a mini freeze plug installed. Some have an allen head screw plug installed. Some utilize the plug @Frank Elder shows us. Sounds like you have the same plugs I pulled out of my block a couple weeks ago; a simple NPT threaded screw. Edited July 23, 2017 by thebeebe5 Quote
Bingster Posted July 23, 2017 Author Report Posted July 23, 2017 Okay, that all makes sense. So nobody should have to remove that screw under normal conditions? Quote
thebeebe5 Posted July 23, 2017 Report Posted July 23, 2017 I 1 minute ago, Bingster said: Okay, that all makes sense. So nobody should have to remove that screw under normal conditions? I remove them on any engine block that is being completely disassembled for rebuild. All oil passages will get thorough cleaning, and the only way to do it is to remove those plugs. Otherwise they stay in place. Quote
Don Coatney Posted July 23, 2017 Report Posted July 23, 2017 On a rebuild I also remove the end pipe plugs on the oil galley and run a rifle cleaning brush through the full length of the galley. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted July 23, 2017 Report Posted July 23, 2017 2 minutes ago, thebeebe5 said: I I remove them on any engine block that is being completely disassembled for rebuild. All oil passages will get thorough cleaning, and the only way to do it is to remove those plugs. Otherwise they stay in place. and...will accumulate muck that will dislodge and wipe bearings.......open them, bore brush them clean and wipe out with lubed lint free cloth till they come out clean. 1 Quote
T120 Posted July 23, 2017 Report Posted July 23, 2017 2 hours ago, Plymouthy Adams said: these plugs seal the block from where it was bored to route oil to the cam bearings.. my other answer...it was dark and I was drunk..... Kinda like the double entendre... Quote
48ply1stcar Posted July 24, 2017 Report Posted July 24, 2017 Based on the title of the thread alone, the only thing that I could think of was the decade of the Seventies. 1 Quote
Niel Hoback Posted July 24, 2017 Report Posted July 24, 2017 They're no good if you gotta splain 'em. Quote
Bingster Posted July 24, 2017 Author Report Posted July 24, 2017 I must admit to a slight smile of amusement as I wrote the title, but it seemed the best and shortest way to say it! Quote
medium_jon Posted July 26, 2017 Report Posted July 26, 2017 On 7/23/2017 at 8:27 PM, 48ply1stcar said: Based on the title of the thread alone, the only thing that I could think of was the decade of the Seventies. Alas, I was too young then and too old now Quote
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