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#1
01-10-2021, 06:43 PM
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Your opinion: Seized hidden oil gallery plug
Hey guys,
I am currently rebuilding my 389 and the hidden oil gallery plug is extremely stubborn. It's gotten to the point that I messed up the hex insinde the plug. My first idea is to do what I usually do with these guys - weld a nut on it (somehow through the front hole or from the bottom of the engine) and use the heat stress the thread has seen to break the plug loose. I just thought I'll throw this in here to see if anyone has a better idea. I also don't want ot mess up the block so if anybody has been thorugh it and has found a better way I'm happy to hear about it... Thanks TJ |
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#2
01-10-2021, 07:43 PM
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My standard operating procedure is to drill through the plug and hammer in an easyout and twist it right on out. Most of the inner plugs I remove are still the square original Pontiac plugs since it seems most rebuilders skip removing this one. Will still work the same way since you end up using a large enough drill bit that the hole is round anyway. The 25" prybar with the extension and 8-point socket hasn't lost a battle yet.
__________________
Mick Batson 1967 original owner Tyro Blue/black top 4-speed HO GTO with all the original parts stored safely away -- 1965 2+2 survivor AC auto -- 1965 Catalina Safari Wagon in progress. |
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#3
01-10-2021, 11:04 PM
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I had the same thing happen with frozen gallery plug..
I heated it up and as it was cooling I applied a candle and the wax gets sucked into the rusty threads. Apply torque while it is still cooling off before it is back to room temp. |
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#4
01-11-2021, 01:38 AM
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Quote:
Drilled it out, applied heat and candle wax. Came right out using an easy out. I was surprised how simple it was. |
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#5
01-11-2021, 07:34 AM
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TJ: You best method in my opinion is to drill it out. You just have to make sure you center punch the plug. Start with a small drill, and work your way up to the bit size for the tap. Use the tap to remove the rest of the plug that remains. I'm not a fan of heating it up. If your novice at this take to a machine shop and let them do it. They have the experience and tools to do it properly.
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#6
01-11-2021, 08:37 AM
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If you take it to a shop to have that plug removed, then also have them remove the one on top of the block by the Distributor hole since that's a great place to tap off a oil pressure gauge should you want to.
Especially if your running a mechanical gauge and headers which can place so much heat into the normal plastic tubing they are plumbed with that they get soft and pinch off if there's any kind of bend over 40 degrees in the running of the tubing.
__________________
Wernher Von Braun warned before his retirement from NASA back in 1972, that the next world war would be against the ETs! And he was not talking about 1/8 or 1/4 mile ETs! 1) 1940s 100% silver 4 cup tea server set. Two dry rotted 14 x 10 Micky Thompson slicks. 1) un-mailed in gift coupon from a 1972 box of corn flakes. Two pairs of brown leather flip flops, never seen more then 2 mph. Education is what your left with once you forget things! |
| The Following User Says Thank You to steve25 For This Useful Post: | ||
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#7
01-11-2021, 10:24 AM
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No need to take the block anyplace it will come right after you drill thru to weaken it's hold in the threads.
A few good whacks with a BFH and a large flat punch and it will back right out. Decades ago I took an extra 3/8 extension and went over to the grinder to put 4 "flats" on it with a taper. I drive it into the drilled out plug and take them right out, they aren't fussy.......Cliff
__________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a Veteran! https://cliffshighperformance.com/ 73 Ventura, SOLD 455, 3740lbs, 11.30's at 120mph, 1977 Pontiac Q-jet, HO intake, HEI, 10" converter, 3.42 gears, DOT's, 7.20's at 96mph and still WAY under the roll bar rule. Best ET to date 7.18 at 97MPH (1/8th mile), |
| The Following User Says Thank You to Cliff R For This Useful Post: | ||
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#8
01-11-2021, 11:13 AM
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Quote:
__________________
Brad Yost 1973 T/A (SOLD) 2005 GTO 1984 Grand Prix 100% Pontiacs in my driveway!!! What's in your driveway? If you don't take some of the RACETRACK home with you, Ya got cheated    
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#9
01-11-2021, 06:29 PM
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Guys, thanks a ton for the quick replies and suggestions!
I will challange that bolt on the weekend. Wish me luck! TJ |
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#10
01-18-2021, 04:23 PM
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BTW - suckers lost! Took both out the same way... drill through + heat + Torx bit...
2nd picture shows - it was worth taking out the hidden one! Lots of stuff behind it that I couldn't reach before with any brush. |
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#11
01-18-2021, 07:48 PM
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Sweet! And now that cap will be out you can sleep better one the motors running.
__________________
Wernher Von Braun warned before his retirement from NASA back in 1972, that the next world war would be against the ETs! And he was not talking about 1/8 or 1/4 mile ETs! 1) 1940s 100% silver 4 cup tea server set. Two dry rotted 14 x 10 Micky Thompson slicks. 1) un-mailed in gift coupon from a 1972 box of corn flakes. Two pairs of brown leather flip flops, never seen more then 2 mph. Education is what your left with once you forget things! |
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#12
01-18-2021, 07:52 PM
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nice - were you able to simply hammer the torx head into the plug? In the first pic it seems to fit really well.
__________________
Will Rivera '69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears '64 LeMans 400/461, #16 Heads, HR 230/236, TKO600, 9inch Rear, 3.89 gears '69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: Non-running project |
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#13
01-19-2021, 08:23 AM
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@grivera - brute force made it look that nice fit :-)
I drilled a hole before I punched in the bit it. So a few good punches did the job. I just trust these torx bits more than eazy outs... |
| The Following User Says Thank You to Dailydriver For This Useful Post: | ||
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#14
01-19-2021, 08:29 AM
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I used an old extension also but didnt taper it. I had marginal luck. So I bought a Snap on extractor never failed me with rounding plugs off. It seems the plug by dizzy is hard one for me.Also when installing new hidden plug I would put one in with hole in it to oil dizzy gear.
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#15
01-19-2021, 08:32 AM
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@sdbob - good point bringing this up. That's my plan - read a lot about the plug /w hole and I think that makes a lot of sense...
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#16
01-19-2021, 08:57 AM
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Yup, it’s the way to go!
Lubes the two gears and helps to keep sludge build up out of that oil Galley.
__________________
Wernher Von Braun warned before his retirement from NASA back in 1972, that the next world war would be against the ETs! And he was not talking about 1/8 or 1/4 mile ETs! 1) 1940s 100% silver 4 cup tea server set. Two dry rotted 14 x 10 Micky Thompson slicks. 1) un-mailed in gift coupon from a 1972 box of corn flakes. Two pairs of brown leather flip flops, never seen more then 2 mph. Education is what your left with once you forget things! |
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#17
01-19-2021, 03:36 PM
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Quote:
__________________
1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A. I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977. Shut it off Shut it off Buddy, I just shut your Prius down... 
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#18
01-19-2021, 04:59 PM
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Nice
I won’t soon forget the photo showing the torx bit coming through the plug!! I appreciate it when people share details of their successes!!
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