Magnetic Gearbox Drain Plug

[Bob_Spidell]

If you are uncomfortable with epoxying a magnet to a drain plug get the ones that are drilled/countersunk and attach it mechanically as well.

That occurred to me, but as I'm doing a gearbox and OD rebuild and it's my quest to build the only non-leaker--with synthetic oil--Healey gearbox I don't want to add another potential leak. I also thought that, as powerful as they (likely) are, you could just put one inside a gearbox/diff plug--the hollow ones--and the field would probably do the job nicely, even through the plug. But, if they are that powerful, you couldn't pry one out to get a 'socket' in (I use a ground down 3/8"->1/2" adapter; hmmm ... I'm gonna measure the depth of these). Confession: I bought a couple just to play with. Well, I will use them to fish any iron out when I cut open a filter.

 

[Keoke]

Maybe:
Some body needs to ask Michael what epoxy adhesive he has used successfully over the years as I am sure he hasn't had to regret or be uncomfortable doing it this way.--Keoke

 

[Michael Oritt]

In answer to Keoke's inquiry I used regular JB Weld. You could drill and tap the plug so as to attach the magnet with a machine screw bedding it in the sealant of your choice if you see fit.

 

[RAC68]

Hi Michael,

Good idea and more secure then just using the epoxy. Are new magnetic plugs available for the transmission and rear? Is your choice of not just replacing the old with a new magnetic plug a matter of availability, price, magnetic strength, or?

Ray(64BJ8P1)

 

[Michael Oritt]

Ray--

I had the magnets left over from some other project and it seemed like more fun to epoxy them into the plugs than to get new magnetic plugs. Besides, I doubt that any magnetic drain plug will equal the magnetic force of the high-strength magnets.

I have used them for several different projects--pulling and holding in the side curtains on the 100 as earlier described, and in the Ginetta's very tight cockpit keeping lap belts out of the way when they are not being worn thus making entry into the car easier, etc. etc.

Magnetism is a strange and wonderful thing....

 

[steveg]

I'm using the washer-style countersunk super magnets to hold my carpets in place up under the dash. They're much too strong to come loose and float around in the pan. You could attach 2 or 3 in a stack on the end of the drain plug as long as there's clearance from any moving parts.

If you're attaching one with a screw, don't tighten very much - they break easily. I'd use loctite on the screw and snug it up.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Steve--

That's a great application--I have a couple of spots on the armacord that want to pull away from the sheet metal.
I'm getting more magnets!

 

[RAC68]

Thanks Michael.

I understood there was an increase in magnetic strength between the attached magnets and the magnetic plug and was wondering if there was something the greater magnet was picking up that the magnetic plug was not.

All the best,
ray(64BJ8P1)

 

[Bob_Spidell]

I got a couple of these 'super magnets' just to play with. Can confirm they are very powerful; was playing with them and one got yanked out of my hand and they both shattered into several pieces. The neodymium appears to be sintered, i.e. pressed together from a powder, with a shiny metallic coating. I think I'd be concerned with something so brittle inside my engine or gearboxes. Just IMO.