I have a 1967 F100 Ranger Camper Special that has a 460. With that engine installed the drain plug is on the passenger side of the oil pan right where the front crossmember is. There is only about 1/2" of clearance between the drain plug and the crossmember.

I'm new to owning a 460 and I haven't seen the inside of the pan. I can easily fab up a bung to weld to the outside of the pan and use a stock drain plug. Is there anything worng with putting a new drain plug in the front of the pan?

 

I did it on one of my front sump pans, only problem was the plug was higher than the bottom of the pan but not a lot. Tried jacking the rear end up to drain it and it was fine. But you could put it lower I think.
I just used a fine thread 1/2" nut, one of the thick taller types and welded it to the pan then made the hole, that way the weld was good without oil all over it and it did not leak either. Standard drain plug fit it too

 

That's what I was thinking of using...but maybe first weld it into a piece of pipe that is ground to match the radius of the front of the bottom of the oil pan. I don't want it pointing straight down, but more like a 45 deg angle and that would let all the oil drain out.

Thanks

 

I don't really know why you would do that as everything is on the outside of the pan when done, just put it as low as possible and it will be fine. I waited to put the hole in it until I knew there was not going to be a leak so I would not have a question if the plug started leaking or something. Then I just put some grease on the drill bit so any chips would stick to it and anything else would wash out with the oil.

 

So you just have a nut welded on pointing straight down? And that gives enough surface for the drain plug to seal properly?

I know a good welder here in Laramie, Big Pete, he has a selection of nuts made of steel that is ready to be welded, meaning they aren't coated with anything. I'll have to stop by and see if he has the right size.