So my dad and i are gettin ready to change his oil last night, we slap on the half inch socket on there, go to turn it, starts to undo the bolt, then strips the head (for some reason we were using a 12 point socket...) so how would i go about getting the old oil pan bolt out so i can put a new one in since it's stripped? i'm advising my dad against using an impact chizzle, i thinkt the oil pans are cast aluminum no?
also this is on the lame status 4.0l... with the stupid oil pan bolt tucked nicely under the cross member. unlike the cool awsom 3.0l with the bolt hangin down where it can be easily accessed.
so yeah, what to do?
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93 3.0l xlt extended aerostar
mods:
800 watt sound system.
200+ farad kenetic battery + 875 cca reg. battery
2" catback exhaust w new flexpipe and cherry bomb muffler.
4g alt. wiring
Gutted stock airbox
2nd row bucket seats
So my dad and i are gettin ready to change his oil last night, we slap on the half inch socket on there, go to turn it, starts to undo the bolt, then strips the head (for some reason we were using a 12 point socket...) so how would i go about getting the old oil pan bolt out so i can put a new one in since it's stripped? i'm advising my dad against using an impact chizzle, i thinkt the oil pans are cast aluminum no?
also this is on the lame status 4.0l... with the stupid oil pan bolt tucked nicely under the cross member. unlike the cool awsom 3.0l with the bolt hangin down where it can be easily accessed.
so yeah, what to do?
Tried 12mm 6 point on it? should not be able to strip the oil drain bolt ,supposed to be about 20 Ft lbs I think, not very tight! use shorter bar when re-tightening next time.
You might have to get ugly with the pipe wrench or put some heat on it.
Aeroman.
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Green-96, XLT 2wd, 3L Vulcan, from Ontario, Canada
All original powertrain except alternator & starter motor. 292,000 kms & going strong !
Same thing happened with my pan drain bolt. Not enough room for a pipe wrench. I had to finally resort to using ViseGrip pliers and whacking it with a mallet. Yes, the pans are a cast aluminum and easily damaged. Sears (and others) sell those specialized sockets for damaged bolt removal - may be worth a try. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0%25+Off+Tools
The new drain plug came with a fiber washer. Some weeks afterwards I noticed some drips from the plug. Putting a wrench on it, revealed the thing had managed to come loose almost a full turn - or else the fiber washer lost its compression. I'm now a little leary of fiber gaskets. The previous plug used a metal (brass? copper?) seal.
Try going metric, or as been sugested, Craftsman does sell wrench's designed for rounded bolts.
Personally I use a complete socket set called MetRinch ( http://www.mitools.com/ ) and love them, I have been using them for over 16 years and have not come accross a bolt that I could not get off with them. No fumbling over weather or not it is ASE or Metric, rounded, rusted, doesn't matter, this is the best tool kit out there. I know several profesionals that use this set and love it (and well worth the price.)
Good luck DCRB!
__________________ '96 Ford Contour 2.0 I4 MTX 77k mi- Rear Ended 12/22/07 '97 Ford Aerostar AWD 4.0L v6 AT 81kmi '97 Chevy Lumina 3.1 v6 ATX 135k mi Parents old beater, temp vehicle
go to turn it, starts to undo the bolt, then strips the head
sounds like it's cross threaded, once you get it off be ready to deal with possible stripped threads on the pan. - stay positive, maybe it didnt even undo just felt like it as it rounded the head.
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unlike the cool awsom 3.0l with the bolt hangin down where it can be easily accessed. 
