ugh 2 steps forward 1 step back

[ImpalaSlayer]

so today was going good, i was fixing a few odds and ends on the mm today and was going well. i got my throttle cable slack fix under way just have to finish it up, got my steering shaft away from the headers, got the passenger door handle fixed but then it started. pulled the switch panel off and broke the dumb lil clip in the rear, put some CA to it and all is well. then when removing the door panel, i lost the damn lil clip that holds the little triangle piece on top of the door panel. it fell down into the door some where, looked for 30 mins, i duno where the :censor: it went. does anyone have the part number for it?

i should have quit then and there. but ifigured ahh what can go wrong changing the oil. well of course, something went wrong. while pulling out the plug i knew something didnt feel right, it fought almost all the way out. once i cleaned it up i wasnt happy to see what i found. the threads on the bolt are pretty f'ed up. :mad2:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_1063.jpg

its hard to tell from the pic but the threads closer to the head are really screwed up. does anyone know what thread the drain plug is? i wana get a tap and chase the threads on the pan. my metric tap and dies set only goes to 12mm and its bigger then that. i just hope i can chase em and put a new plug in it, other wise i guess my motor swap will be happening earlyer then expected.

[Blackened300a]

Im glad Im not the only one that has headaches working on their own car.

Im not sure of the part numbers but I think you'll be ok with a tap. The threads don't look that bad.

[bob6364]

dang...you may want to look into the pan because that almost looks like the pan thead embedded in the bolt there....see those ridges on the thread furthest from the head those are on mine to...weird huh

[LANDY]

i can see where the threads are bad. i would asume if you tap it you will be fine.

[bob6364]

did you try a pick on that nut ...hard to see but if you can pick that metal out of there like a helicoil then the pans foobar....or are the bolt threads rolled?

[ImpalaSlayer]

Bob, thats what i thought at first too but its not. thats how much the threads are "worn" down. its very weird. i was too pissed to crawl back under the car to inspect the pan threads but i will tomorrow.

[ImpalaSlayer]

did you try a pick on that nut ...hard to see but if you can pick that metal out of there like a helicoil then the pans foobar....or are the bolt threads rolled?

thats exactly what i did. i see you speak from experience as ive done the exact same thing b4. usually happens on aluminum. i dont even know how to describe the threads

[bob6364]

yawh....Bob break stuff good...if I break something it STAYS broke dammit!

[Mr. Man]

So you don't have a big ole tap for working on those airplanes?

[Stoneblue]

Use an actual thread chaser and not a tap. You can get them from MSC, they are a reputable company. If you have to go w/ a helocoil type arrangement there are better alternatives (the names of them escape me right now) check with several machine shops (ISO 9000 qualified) for their recommendations. I'm no car guru but have a good amount of time (over 23 years) in the aerospace arena. Once you launch a payload it's not like you have the luxury of a do-over. It's cheaper to do it right the 1st time even if it costs more up front.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

M14-1.50 thread

Advance auto parts and other stores stock this with the Motormite drain plugs and gaskets, it's on the floor not behind the counter

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/wcsstore/CVWEB/staticproductimage//734/full/9110183_rnb_65266_pri_detl.jpg

Part # is 65266

[SpartaPerformance]

If the pan threads are still good then get a new drain plug bolt, if the pan threads are f$cked then get a bolt that's +1 those are self tapping.

[ntd]

See this happen all the time just get a new drain plug pan should be fine.

[massacre]

Dave-
Sorry to hear about this, that sucks.
Do you have any pics/descriptions on your fix for the throttle cable slack? I think we had discussed once that we might both have the same problem-
Thanks.

[FordNut]

Get a magnetic replacement plug.

[fastblackmerc]

Get one of these to replace the oil pan plug.... never have to take it out again.

(it doesn't drip, just didn't clean it off after I drained it and before I took the picture)

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Oil%20Pan%20Plug/DSCN0249.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Oil%20Pan%20Plug/DSCN0246.jpg

You can get them on eBay. Look for Fumoto F-106.

Here is a website: http://www.qwikvalve.com/F-106-14mm-1.5.html

[Joe Walsh]

^^^ Great idea! ^^^...especially if your oil pan threads are worn/buggered up.
Even with a new drain plug you'll have to be very careful about how much you torque the new drain plug after each oil change.

[mnxtrik8r]

It shouldn't be a problem.Get a new OE plug from Ford and it 'll be fine.Ford makes these softer than the threads in the pan on purpose so that if the plug gets overtightened, the threads on the plug are sacrificed not the pan threads. I've seen this alot. Some places must hire guys that use 1/2 breaker bars too install plugs during an oil change.Fortunately I've never seen a bad pan as long as an OE plug has been used. Good luck.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

^^ I never thought of that before but that makes sense. Good info to have, thanks

[RacerX]

yawh....Bob break stuff good...if I break something it STAYS broke dammit!
:eek: And we let you near an air chisel??? :shake: In the rain none the less!

[Joe Walsh]

It shouldn't be a problem.Get a new OE plug from Ford and it 'll be fine.Ford makes these softer than the threads in the pan on purpose so that if the plug gets overtightened, the threads on the plug are sacrificed not the pan threads. I've seen this alot. Some places must hire guys that use 1/2 breaker bars too install plugs during an oil change.Fortunately I've never seen a bad pan as long as an OE plug has been used. Good luck.


^^ I never thought of that before but that makes sense. Good info to have, thanks

Good to know.....but I still like that trick drain valve!
:D

[ImpalaSlayer]

well all i needed was a new plug. its good as new

[fastblackmerc]

Good to know.....but I still like that trick drain valve!
:D

More benefits of the drain valve:

No hot oil drips on your hand

You'll never drop the oil drain plug in the drain pan again

No tools needed (unless you use the hose clamp like I did for a little extra security / peace of mind

[Stoneblue]

well all i needed was a new plug. its good as new


Wunderbar!

[Marauderjack]

well all i needed was a new plug. its good as new

How tight do you tighten it Dave......200 ft. lbs.???:eek:

I have never understood why the oil change guys tighten them soooo tight??:confused: It's not like it will fall out with only 10 ft. lbs.!!:shake:

Glad you got it fixed with a new plug!! :beer:

[Big Black Beast]

More benefits of the drain valve:

No hot oil drips on your hand

You'll never drop the oil drain plug in the drain pan again

No tools needed (unless you use the hose clamp like I did for a little extra security / peace of mind

That takes all the fun out of it!

Oh well, at least you can still drop the filter and spill oil on your hand that way.

[ImpalaSlayer]

That takes all the fun out of it!

Oh well, at least you can still drop the filter and spill oil on your hand that way.

no doubt about that especially where its mounted on the car

[Big Black Beast]

You just need a wrist that swivels 360 degrees and bends in two places.:D

[FordNut]

Or a remote mount filter.

[Black_Kannin]

Get one of these to replace the oil pan plug.... never have to take it out again.

(it doesn't drip, just didn't clean it off after I drained it and before I took the picture)

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Oil%20Pan%20Plug/DSCN0249.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Oil%20Pan%20Plug/DSCN0246.jpg

You can get them on eBay. Look for Fumoto F-106.

Here is a website: http://www.qwikvalve.com/F-106-14mm-1.5.html




^^Once again I am blessed, this is great!! I'm looking to order this now, what Is the proper size for the 03 MM?!?!

[fastblackmerc]

^^Once again I am blessed, this is great!! I'm looking to order this now, what Is the proper size for the 03 MM?!?!

Yes it is, that's why I included the P/N.

[Black_Kannin]

Yes it is, that's why I included the P/N.



^^Oh Ok gotcha....odering now!!

[babbage]

:eek: And we let you near an air chisel??? :shake: In the rain none the less!

lol I'd have been screwed without Adam and Bob!

[babbage]

Get a magnetic replacement plug.


Are you using the motormite 65266 plug? $3.29 at advance. How much get's on it?

[ImpalaSlayer]

Are you using the motormite 65266 plug? $3.29 at advance. How much get's on it?


i just went with a factory replacement. i used to run a magnetic plug in all of my off road toys and it would pick up quite a bit. how ever that isnt completely relevant because the clutch also used the same oil as the motor.

[FordNut]

Are you using the motormite 65266 plug? $3.29 at advance. How much get's on it?

Don't recall the part #, there's always some fuzz on it when I change the oil.