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Need help with mangled drain plug
I’m in the middle of draining the coolant for the first time so I can do some work on the water bridge. I was able to get the passenger side drain plug out and that has drained. However the driver's side was previously rounded by one of the PO's and my attempts to remove it have made it worse. It's in there tight! I’m able to get good grip with a visegrip Pliers but it will not budge. The vice grips just turn off the bolt. I've sprayed it a bunch with PB Blaser and tapped it with a fairly heavy steel hammer. I don't want to hit it too hard for feet of doing some damage to the block. Thanks for your help in advance! https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...20d780397.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...e75183c91.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...8b2ace0af.jpeg |
I had the same issue and was able to smack on a socket smaller than the original size, I forget the size. I got it loose this way.
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will the engine run? if so run it for about 5 mins then use whatever tool you have to loosen the bolt
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Tried that too. Had to bust out the sae but no bite |
Hi Michael,
See if you can get a two foot long steel pipe over the end of the vice grips with the tightening screw. Make sure it's tight and give it one try warm, and with improved leverage. Also, make sure the vice grips are on just like in your picture, so that the loosening torque squeezes the grip closed, rather than forces it open. I'm amazed how well a cheater bar works. Good luck, Dave |
One other thing I forgot to mention get a big sledge hammer and hit the bolt head into the sealing washer ,
you wont get much of a swing thats OK, The weight of the mallet should deform the sealing ring a bit so the plug comes free |
I think the vise grips are your best bet. Since its tight up there try routing a ratchet strap around the end of the grip handles and wrap the lose end around the stoutest most structure that ends up pulling on the handle in as close to a 90 degree angle you can get. Then use the ratchet to apply the force to grip handle. |
Originally Posted by j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net
(Post 15468637)
Hi Michael,
See if you can get a two foot long steel pipe over the end of the vice grips with the tightening screw. Make sure it's tight and give it one try warm, and with improved leverage. Also, make sure the vice grips are on just like in your picture, so that the loosening torque squeezes the grip closed, rather than forces it open. I'm amazed how well a cheater bar works.
Originally Posted by Mrmerlin
(Post 15468618)
will the engine run? if so run it for about 5 mins then use whatever tool you have to loosen the bolt. One other thing I forgot to mention get a big sledge hammer and hit the bolt head into the sealing washer ,you wont get much of a swing thats OK, The weight of the mallet should deform the sealing ring a bit so the plug comes free
Here are the tools I've been using. I was thinking maybe a smaller pipe-wrench would give me the proper leverage, or maybe a more round jaw vise grips. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...25d6dba072.jpg I am going to take a break tonight and will hit it with PB blaster and tapping for a day or two while I gather options |
well your not going to heat it unless you use a oxy ace torch as the coolant is still in the side your trying to drain,
these blocks absorb lots of heat fast when they have liquid in them, now if the waterpump is off then that could be enough to drain the block. With no coolant in the block it will heat up pretty well but it still takes lots applied heat |
You need one of these.
Worked for me at other times. Have one of each. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...bef0de0251.png |
I drain my coolant every 2 years so I followed another RL and installed these.
No more drain plug issues https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...e7f6acec55.png |
Maybe get up in there with a Dremel and try to grind two flats on it so you can get a better grip with the vice grips?
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Originally Posted by hessank
(Post 15468805)
You need one of these.
Worked for me at other times. Have one of each. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...bef0de0251.png |
+1 on the left handed external bolt extractors. Tap the correct size one on, add a long extension, turn it out.
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Had this happen on the 79. Dont heat the bolt head. Heat around the area. Once hot, like really hot, get a spray can / bottle of dry ice with a spray nozzle and spray just the bolt head. Don't forget all the safety sh$t required for this stuff. Put on whatever tool you have and undo. I used a pressure sprayer and got the ice from a gas supplier.
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