 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Car Forum / Antique and Collectibles / Studebaker / January 2006Oil galley plug left out of new engine, anyone else that might help with info?
bobcaripalma@hotmail.com wrote: > > Don't forget - you have to remove the distributor to see where the plug > > may have been left out. The plug in question is in the front of the > > distributor "silo" into which the the distributor is lowered. The plug > > screws in to the oil gallery with a 3/8"-square drive ratchet and > > extensions.BP > >Bob, well my worst fears are confirmed. The plug is out. Got the engine >started. 25 lbs cold, 10 to 15 lbs warm. Took a valve cover off, almost >dry. Took the distributor out, used a better drill and a solid stream >of oil came out the plug hole about four inches into the dist. silo, at >the front of the engine, Used baling wire to probe the hole, no plug. >Stupid machine shop, stupid me for not checking. Engine is installed. >Is there any way to get the plug in through the dist. hole? What size >and threads are the plug? Any suggestions besides Hari Kari? > >Thanks, > >Kelly J. Marion Kelly: There's no need to be upset; engines operated like that are rarely damaged because they DID HAVE oil pressure, just not enough. I'm sure you didn't go out and drive it at high speed or anything, so most likely NO damage has been done. That's the good news. The bad news is that I don't know any way of wiggling a plug into that hole and being able to screw it in place without removing the bellhousing from the engine so you have a "straight shot" into the plug hole. The plug itself is a standard pipe thread, but I'm not sure of the dimensions. Probably 1/2" pipe, maybe bigger. Once you have removed the bellhousing, you will see a corresponding pipe plug on the rear of the engine block on the OTHER side of the engine. You can easily remove that pipe plug to get the right dimension for the one that's missing...or go back to the machine shop and ask if them if they "have any parts left over." Ha! Like they would admit it. Finally, on the BACKside of the distributor silo, there will be what looks like a simple freeze plug in place that must be pried out to access the distributor silo so you can insert the plug through the silo, so to speak. That "freeze plug" just serves to keep dirt and water from inside the distributor silo when the bellhousning is bolted back on the engine. Be sure to replace that freeze plug (really an access plug) after you've installed the missing oil gallery plug. Cheers. Bob. Thanks Bob. I'm sick about this. It looks to be a 3/8ths plug, I'm checking the chassis manual tonight to see if there is a listing. I can see the hole, that is what is frustrating. I guess dropping the tranny, removing the flywheel and stuff and then removing the welch plug (freeze type plug) must be the only logical way of doing this short of pulling the engine. I have all sorts of junker engines. I'll pull one of those plugs. Again, Thanks for all the help you always selflessly offer. Surgeons do much more complicated things in a smaller space, but hey, I'm not a surgeon (I feel more like a butcher right now). KM Do you have any aircraft supply houses in your area? A small 90 degree angled square drive, driver is available. It's driven by a female drive on the long end. Any 1/4" drive socket will fit on it. The allen part of the socket will need to be shortened. Just put the pipe plug on the allen socket and insert it into the distr. well. Turn by hand and finish with a 1/4" drive ratchet. Good luck either way. Mike More thoughts: If you have an engine lying around that you can check to confirm that plug size, just use the plug from a junk engine. Being as you need a 3/8" drive ratchet and short extension to install the plug, I suppose you could TRY to get a 3/8" to 1/4" reducer and delicately try to install the plug from up top with a small, 1/4" drive ratchet. It's worth a try. Just be sure to put a rag or something down in the hole so if you drop anything, it doesn't find it's way south toward the oil pan through the lower distributor hole...that would REALLY make your day, Kelly! BP I'm going to give it one try before dropping the tranny. Thanks alot for all the advice, I was thinking about the 1/4" ratchet that can be turned with a knob on the end of the handle.The rag idea (and a magnetic pick up tool), are excellent ideas. The aircraft driver would work great and I work at the airport. I don't really have my mind around just exactly what it is, but I will try to explain at the supply shop. (I can see the blank looks right now). KM It's certainly worth having a shot at it, Kelly. You should be able to find a plug with a hex head to fit an Allen type driver. Can I suggest you use contact cement to glue the plug to the driver? That ought to aid getting it started. You can then withdraw the driver once the the plug is threaded in. I know I've seen TV ads from Canadian Tire for a trick ratchet wrench that spins the socket when the handle is turned. The only possible "gotcha" may be that typical hex driver attachments are too long for the available space. If need be, perhaps one could simply weld a short length of Allen wrench stock right to the square spindle of the ratchet. "Wasting" a $20.00 ratchet sure beats doing a re&re on the engine. Good luck, Gord Richmond Now I need to find the ratchet... |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2009 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.