I may have made a mistake with the block, Help

[mallard]

I just got the block back from the machine shop and I found this problem. Both of the oil plug gallery ends are gone. From the picture they looked like they were made of lead. They must have melted while the block was cleaned with high temp. not caustic solution. Can this be fixed, and how? If you look at the picture the plug is just below the freeze plug to the left.

 

[TR4nut]

Keith-

I believe you can use NPT plugs fairly easily, or at least tap for them. Pretty sure the racers do that. However, those aluminum plugs are still available from TRF as well - I bought some just a couple of months ago.

Randy

 

[mallard]

Thanks Randy,

I was looking at the Moss catalog and it said they were no longer available, at that point I was not sure what to do. I wish TRF would put a complete catalog together for cars other than TR6. You always have to look up the original part number then check with the web site to see if they have the part. As for the plugs one end of the block is threaded the other is not. Was yours the same way? It looks like you just beat them into place. How did you install yours?

 

[Brosky]

This is a common problem and is usually caught before the hot tanking as the shops don't want the lead in their baths. Easy fix as Keith said. Just have them tapped and install countersunk hex head plugs. That what's now in mine.

 

[TR4nut]

Keith-

Here is a picture of what TRF has:

Part number is PU1404/3 for a stick of 3, less than 5 bucks. Assuming they have it right, I measure this as a 3/4-16 thread.

I haven't done mine yet - but I believe both ends should be threaded. Maybe you have some old plug still stuck in the back one?

Another possibility is something like this from McMaster Carr:
set screws

I read the note from Tony Drews that he tapped the ends using 1/2"-14 NPT instead and used a brass pipe thread plug. He cautions about not using too long a plug to avoid plugging the front main oil feed. It looks like the aluminum TRF plugs are about 1/2" long.

Randy

 

[mallard]

Thanks again Randy, the part number will save me some time.

 

[Brosky]

Randy,

Those set screws are what is in mine.

 

[TR4nut]

Those set screws are what is in mine.

Thanks for the confirmation, Paul - I'm thinking they might be an easier option than the aluminum plugs. Certainly would be easier to remove at a later time.

Randy