oil drain plug

[krminyl@...]

Robin,

Me too...been there, done that. You did exactly what I did, and tried to
remedy the situation the same as you have. I finally had to take it to my
local mechanic, they had to remove the pan, and with heat and a really big easy
out, it came out. And you are right...it has a steel magnet on the oil-side
of the plug.

When replacing the pan, I got a new gasket from Detroit (about $20), had
them goop it up real good with the blue silicone "make a gasket", and
re-installed it. They also painted the pan once it was out, so it looks good
too. I
guess that was the least they could do, after charging me around $200
(included the oil change). Not too bad, I guess. And the pan doesn't leak at
all.

Putting a torch to it, while still attached to the block, kinda scares me.
Especially when it's parked next to my house. Best of luck, and let us know
how you got it fixed.

Kevin McKeown
Yorba Linda, CA
1986 38' PT
8V92 Silver


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[aokkoa2003]

hello y'all:
I've messed up my oil drain plug.. It's a 3/8 female square hole. I
wallowed it out.
Here's what I've tried so far:
. Made tool (bigger square) Failed.
Drove cold chisel in to hole corner to corner. Failed
Went to town and purchased large easy-out. started to drill
pilot hole to drain old oil and to help when drilling 1/2" hole for
easy-out. failed.. It drilled ok for bit and then stopped cutting. I
am guessing that there is a hard steel magnet on top of the plug
preventing me from drilling.
Other than welding a nut on the plug, or replacing the oil pan, can
anyone offer a remedy? This has not been my best day....
Rob Sargent
85pt36 6v92

[Doug Engel]

Rob,
Been there, I feel for ya buddy. I have had the best luck in these
situations with a liberal application of HEAT! The drain pulg in the Dodge
Cummins pickups is very similar in construction and tendency to get stuck and
strip out. Put whatever tool you have that works teh best in place (or get it
ready to put in place) and then heat the devil out of the plug. I don't think a
propane torch will apply enough heat, but a Mapp gas torch, acetylene gas
plumbers torch of oxy/ act rig will do the trick. Get it as hot as you can,
hopefully nearly red, then ease the plug out about half way. Leave it in a few
threads and have a squirt bottle handy to gradually cool the pan off.Once cool,
take the plug out the rest of the way.
I know I'll probably get some flack for suggesting this approach, but if you
do it carefully, the risk of fire is very minimal, but have your fire
extinguisher handy. Leaving the plug in until the pan cools keep the oil from
gushing out and possibly reaching oxygen and a pan that could be at flash point
(but VERY unlikely), the oil in the pan serves as a very efficent heat sink Be
careful, use the oxy/act rig if you have one, and let us know.
( this may sound hillbillyeske, but it has worked for me many times)
Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO, '81FC35

aokkoa2003 wrote:
hello y'all:
I've messed up my oil drain plug.. It's a 3/8 female square hole. I
wallowed it out.
Here's what I've tried so far:
. Made tool (bigger square) Failed.
Drove cold chisel in to hole corner to corner. Failed
Went to town and purchased large easy-out. started to drill
pilot hole to drain old oil and to help when drilling 1/2" hole for
easy-out. failed.. It drilled ok for bit and then stopped cutting. I
am guessing that there is a hard steel magnet on top of the plug
preventing me from drilling.
Other than welding a nut on the plug, or replacing the oil pan, can
anyone offer a remedy? This has not been my best day....
Rob Sargent
85pt36 6v92






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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Bob & Carol Howald`]

Rob: I've been there, I had a 841/2 pt 40 with a worn out drain plug
just like your's. I took a 1/2 socket and a electric welder and welded
it to the bottom of the plug. All I had to do then was to take the
rachet and turn it out. Worked GREAT , in fact it worked so good I just
left the socket on there and continued to use the same drain plug. It
just take's a few passes with the stick and won't get the oil too hot.
Good Luck.....Bob 93pt40 Illinois

[Gregory OConnor]

Wa'sup Rob, weld a short bolt nested in the square socket of the plug
(center and true). let it cool down, heat the pan, ice the bolt.
pick a bolt that you can bottom out a impact deep socket on (2.5 inch
past plug).
GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "aokkoa2003"
wrote:
>
> hello y'all:
> I've messed up my oil drain plug.. It's a 3/8 female square hole. I
> wallowed it out.
> Here's what I've tried so far:
> . Made tool (bigger square) Failed.
> Drove cold chisel in to hole corner to corner. Failed
> Went to town and purchased large easy-out. started to drill
> pilot hole to drain old oil and to help when drilling 1/2" hole for
> easy-out. failed.. It drilled ok for bit and then stopped cutting.
I
> am guessing that there is a hard steel magnet on top of the plug
> preventing me from drilling.
> Other than welding a nut on the plug, or replacing the oil pan, can
> anyone offer a remedy? This has not been my best day....
> Rob Sargent
> 85pt36 6v92
>

[The Squires]

Rob,

Welding a nut or very short bolt is the best way. The heat will help in
breaking loose the threads interface. Good luck!

Jimmy
-----Original Message-----
From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of aokkoa2003
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:23 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] oil drain plug


hello y'all:
I've messed up my oil drain plug.. It's a 3/8 female square hole. I
wallowed it out.
Here's what I've tried so far:
. Made tool (bigger square) Failed.
Drove cold chisel in to hole corner to corner. Failed
Went to town and purchased large easy-out. started to drill
pilot hole to drain old oil and to help when drilling 1/2" hole for
easy-out. failed.. It drilled ok for bit and then stopped cutting. I
am guessing that there is a hard steel magnet on top of the plug
preventing me from drilling.
Other than welding a nut on the plug, or replacing the oil pan, can
anyone offer a remedy? This has not been my best day....
Rob Sargent
85pt36 6v92






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Gardner Yeaw]

Rob and all,
So this sounds like a common problem. Maybe it would be a good
idea for others to get ahead of the curve and weld up a fix before
they have the problem. If something is sticking out you can always
get a big pipe wrench on it, but it's next to impossable to get a
grip on a rounded out shallow hole.
I know, armchair quarterback, but good advise I think.

Gardner
78FC33

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "aokkoa2003"
wrote:
>
> hello y'all:
> I've messed up my oil drain plug.. It's a 3/8 female square hole.
I
> wallowed it out.
> Here's what I've tried so far:
> . Made tool (bigger square) Failed.
> Drove cold chisel in to hole corner to corner. Failed
> Went to town and purchased large easy-out. started to drill
> pilot hole to drain old oil and to help when drilling 1/2" hole
for
> easy-out. failed.. It drilled ok for bit and then stopped cutting.
I
> am guessing that there is a hard steel magnet on top of the plug
> preventing me from drilling.
> Other than welding a nut on the plug, or replacing the oil pan,
can
> anyone offer a remedy? This has not been my best day....
> Rob Sargent
> 85pt36 6v92
>

[aokkoa2003]

Y'all have made me feel like at least I am not the lone ranger in this
problem..and y'all have offered great advice (as I knew you would)..
Thanks to all! Tomarrow I plan to put your suggestions to work and
FIX the problem. I will,of course, keep you posted...
Rob Sargent
85pt366v92geatesttravelmachineintheworldtous....