fbekholden.com

Hello all,

60 years young and my EK ute is suddenly incontinent - the sump plug crossed the thread in the sump after an oil change on the weekend. Damn! We managed a 100-mile round trip without drama afterward, but it's leaking real bad.

Before I dismantle, I thought I'd ask here: what size/pitch is the sump plug on a Grey? I might just order in a Time-Sert Kit straight away.
Also interested to hear anyone elses experience/methods for repairing these.

I have every intention of attempting the thread repair without removing the sump, using the moly grease on the drill bit method, then a combination of vacuum cleaner then flush from above, to remove any filings. I've only ever done this on a motor that had an oil filter on it... so I'm a wee bit apprehensive on my filterless Grey!

Cheers,
Joe

Hi Joe how are you ?

The sump plug is ok to do like you suggested, I have also used a magnet on a handle (the type for picking up small screws etc). They are small enough to fit inside the sump plug hole.

Not sure what size it is but I went the next size up, new plug, drill and tap. To keep the drill straight I used a tube with the ID the same as the drill and held it flat against the sump whilst drilling, same goes to start the tap square.

Good to see you still have the old girl.

Greg

Hey Greg!
Yep I'm good mate, recovering from a broken arm thanks to a spot of over-enthusiasm a few weeks back, as I am still learning how to ride speedway bikes effectively... haha... but I'm still smiling

How's things for you? Just caught up on your sedan build, it's looking really great! If I had had more time last Saturday, Leroy and I would have dropped in on my way to Dargle. I was having a hard enough time as it was, just keeping up with my mates on their smokey Triumphs.

Thanks for the tips. The squaring method is a great idea and yep, I have the skinny magnet too. Guess I better pull what I got and measure it first in case it's oversize already, a thought I just had...

Cheers
Joe

Joe,

I think the sump plug is 1/2" UNF. Over-size plugs should be available. There might even be a mobile thread repair service too. I've seen sumps rescued with a washer-shaped piece of 1/4" steel plate brazed on. And I have a couple of spares. Sumps, that is.

Rob

ardiesse wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 5:29 pmI think the sump plug is 1/2" UNF.

I haven't got a plug here, but I suspect so too: 1/2"-20UNF. MasterParts lists an oversized plug as 9/16"-18UNF.
https://www.rarespares.net.au/rarespare ... size-af-34
https://www.kingswoodcountry.com.au/buy ... k7433632-a

Cheers,
Harv (master of cross-threading, tightening until it goes soft, mixing metric with imperial threads and "tighten it until is snaps, then back it off half a turn").

EK283 wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 4:44 pm To keep the drill straight I used a tube with the ID the same as the drill and held it flat against the sump whilst drilling, same goes to start the tap square.
Greg

Get tip!

ardiesse wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 5:29 pm Joe,

I think the sump plug is 1/2" UNF. Over-size plugs should be available. There might even be a mobile thread repair service too. I've seen sumps rescued with a washer-shaped piece of 1/4" steel plate brazed on. And I have a couple of spares. Sumps, that is.

Rob

Thanks Rob. Yep I've seen some great repairs like that too, definitely hoping to leave the motor in the car in this case though. If it comes to that, I'll take you up on the offer, my spare sump is in Harv's hands now!

Cheers, Joe

SunnyTim wrote: Fri Mar 19, 2021 6:33 am I sourced an oversize plug a few months ago. Even better, it started as standard and expanded as it screwed in. Unfortunately the shop closed last week.

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I had an LJ Torana 173 with an odd, tapered sump plug in it. I'm betting it was similar to what you're describing here.

Harv wrote: Fri Mar 19, 2021 6:43 am

ardiesse wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 5:29 pmI think the sump plug is 1/2" UNF.

I haven't got a plug here, but I suspect so too: 1/2"-20UNF. MasterParts lists an oversized plug as 9/16"-18UNF.
https://www.rarespares.net.au/rarespare ... size-af-34
https://www.kingswoodcountry.com.au/buy ... k7433632-a

Cheers,
Harv (master of cross-threading, tightening until it goes soft, mixing metric with imperial threads and "tighten it until is snaps, then back it off half a turn").

Yep. Leroy is currently exhibit A for 'back it off half a turn' haha

I got lucky:




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the thread in the sump is perfect (I chased it with a tap for peace of mind anyway) and the original sized 1/2” UNF20 sump plug is what gave up.




Can’t find one in my nuts & bolts stash, so I’ll order a new one in.

Phew!


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That IS lucky

Quick - buy a lotto ticket!

thebrotherj wrote: Fri Mar 19, 2021 7:59 pm the thread in the sump is perfect (I chased it with a tap for peace of mind anyway) and the original sized 1/2” UNF20 sump plug is what gave up.




Can’t find one in my nuts & bolts stash, so I’ll order a new one in.

Phew!


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