Pipe Plug Disaster
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More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 563
Likes: 4
From: Wolfsburg
Pipe Plug Disaster
So since I now live in the great socialist state of Germany, which is basically Cali on steroids with the emissions laws I have the joy of putting the pollution pump nack on my 351M. The problem is that the PO, like any reasonable person, took the pump off and put a pipe plug in the intake where the one-way valve for it screws in. That plug has been sitting in there for 40 years and now I am trying to get it back out, which is turning out to not be so easy.
I have broken wrenches on it, tried it with a warm engine, cold engine, air tools, hammered on it and so on, but I can never get a good hold of the plug to actually get some force on it. And as luck would have it, they don't sell those pipe plug sockets in Germany for some reason.
So if anyone has an idea on how to get a hold of the plug I would be very grateful. If nothing works then it looks like I'll just have to pull the carb and distributor and torch it, but I am trying to avoid that.
Maybe one of y'all has a trick up his sleeve.
Thanks
I have broken wrenches on it, tried it with a warm engine, cold engine, air tools, hammered on it and so on, but I can never get a good hold of the plug to actually get some force on it. And as luck would have it, they don't sell those pipe plug sockets in Germany for some reason.
So if anyone has an idea on how to get a hold of the plug I would be very grateful. If nothing works then it looks like I'll just have to pull the carb and distributor and torch it, but I am trying to avoid that.
Maybe one of y'all has a trick up his sleeve.
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Try to get the pipe plug hot as you can with a handheld yellow torch bottle (MAPP is hotter than propane in blue bottle), remove heat, poke a candle down on it and let the heat melt some of the wax down into the threads (let it wick). that MAY help, but first thing I'd do is soak PB Blaster on it's threads every day for few days straight.
If you take off whatever you have to in order to get a pipe wrench on it, a pipe wrench WILL back it out or break it off, but you may have to use a piece of pipe on the wrench handle to generate enough force. Worst that can happen, you break the pipe plug. Then you'll get to use drill/dremel, and little picks and spend hours and hours picking enough of pipe plug out.
If you take off whatever you have to in order to get a pipe wrench on it, a pipe wrench WILL back it out or break it off, but you may have to use a piece of pipe on the wrench handle to generate enough force. Worst that can happen, you break the pipe plug. Then you'll get to use drill/dremel, and little picks and spend hours and hours picking enough of pipe plug out.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Also, I recently had a frozen distributor in my 302. Wouldn't budge. Had to hold MAPP gas bottle on base of distrib off and on (and penetrating oil) and use hammer. Was scared of breaking off vacuum advance, but, I had to move the distributor no matter what. You just can't overdo the heat, and the more patience you have for soaking/wicking wax, the better luck you'll have. You might even try tightening it a few times.
Also, rap that bad boy with a hammer as much as you feel. The vibration will only help the heat and loosening agents.
Also, rap that bad boy with a hammer as much as you feel. The vibration will only help the heat and loosening agents.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
https://www.princessauto.com/en/deta...et/A-p8248486e
I had a similar issue with the rear differential fill plug in my 1984 8.8
With the low miles on my truck, I don't think had been removed in 30+ years.
I used one of the pipe nipple extractors above, and hammered it into the hole in the pipe plug, and then tacked it in place with the MIG welder.
I was able to turn it out after that.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
Likes: 2,728
From: Virginia
So since I now live in the great socialist state of Germany, which is basically Cali on steroids with the emissions laws I have the joy of putting the pollution pump nack on my 351M. The problem is that the PO, like any reasonable person, took the pump off and put a pipe plug in the intake where the one-way valve for it screws in. That plug has been sitting in there for 40 years and now I am trying to get it back out, which is turning out to not be so easy.
I have broken wrenches on it, tried it with a warm engine, cold engine, air tools, hammered on it and so on, but I can never get a good hold of the plug to actually get some force on it. And as luck would have it, they don't sell those pipe plug sockets in Germany for some reason.
So if anyone has an idea on how to get a hold of the plug I would be very grateful. If nothing works then it looks like I'll just have to pull the carb and distributor and torch it, but I am trying to avoid that.
Maybe one of y'all has a trick up his sleeve.
Thanks
I have broken wrenches on it, tried it with a warm engine, cold engine, air tools, hammered on it and so on, but I can never get a good hold of the plug to actually get some force on it. And as luck would have it, they don't sell those pipe plug sockets in Germany for some reason.
So if anyone has an idea on how to get a hold of the plug I would be very grateful. If nothing works then it looks like I'll just have to pull the carb and distributor and torch it, but I am trying to avoid that.
Maybe one of y'all has a trick up his sleeve.
Thanks
Question 2. If you know the answer to question 1 is iffy, why not put most of the smog pump back on and if there is a little something missing here or there, as long as its not obvious, will they even notice? Over here as long as the pump is on there and looks like it's hooked up, and it has a belt and is going round and round with the engine running, they are happy.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
So since I now live in the great socialist state of Germany, which is basically Cali on steroids with the emissions laws I have the joy of putting the pollution pump nack on my 351M. The problem is that the PO, like any reasonable person, took the pump off and put a pipe plug in the intake where the one-way valve for it screws in. That plug has been sitting in there for 40 years and now I am trying to get it back out, which is turning out to not be so easy.
I have broken wrenches on it, tried it with a warm engine, cold engine, air tools, hammered on it and so on, but I can never get a good hold of the plug to actually get some force on it. And as luck would have it, they don't sell those pipe plug sockets in Germany for some reason.
So if anyone has an idea on how to get a hold of the plug I would be very grateful. If nothing works then it looks like I'll just have to pull the carb and distributor and torch it, but I am trying to avoid that.
Maybe one of y'all has a trick up his sleeve.
Thanks
I have broken wrenches on it, tried it with a warm engine, cold engine, air tools, hammered on it and so on, but I can never get a good hold of the plug to actually get some force on it. And as luck would have it, they don't sell those pipe plug sockets in Germany for some reason.
So if anyone has an idea on how to get a hold of the plug I would be very grateful. If nothing works then it looks like I'll just have to pull the carb and distributor and torch it, but I am trying to avoid that.
Maybe one of y'all has a trick up his sleeve.
Thanks
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
So since I now live in the great socialist state of Germany, which is basically Cali on steroids with the emissions laws I have the joy of putting the pollution pump nack on my 351M. The problem is that the PO, like any reasonable person, took the pump off and put a pipe plug in the intake where the one-way valve for it screws in. That plug has been sitting in there for 40 years and now I am trying to get it back out, which is turning out to not be so easy.
I have broken wrenches on it, tried it with a warm engine, cold engine, air tools, hammered on it and so on, but I can never get a good hold of the plug to actually get some force on it. And as luck would have it, they don't sell those pipe plug sockets in Germany for some reason.
So if anyone has an idea on how to get a hold of the plug I would be very grateful. If nothing works then it looks like I'll just have to pull the carb and distributor and torch it, but I am trying to avoid that.
I have broken wrenches on it, tried it with a warm engine, cold engine, air tools, hammered on it and so on, but I can never get a good hold of the plug to actually get some force on it. And as luck would have it, they don't sell those pipe plug sockets in Germany for some reason.
So if anyone has an idea on how to get a hold of the plug I would be very grateful. If nothing works then it looks like I'll just have to pull the carb and distributor and torch it, but I am trying to avoid that.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,738
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From: Northern VA
I feel like you could fool them. Slip a rubber hose over the plug and clamp it down. Rig it up so it looks like it works and simply take the belt off when it is not being inspected. If this is not an option, then heat and beat the plug and grip it with a pipe wrench. If that doesn't work, Weld a big *** nut on the plug.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 563
Likes: 4
From: Wolfsburg
Question 1. How do they know what is supposed to be on your truck? It's American and it's old. Is the only thing they have to go by is the diagram on the sticker on the radiator support? Or they have some old crusty book or something they look at online? Or they have some German guy that is an expert on old American junk. If the latter is the case, we could use him over here.
Question 2. If you know the answer to question 1 is iffy, why not put most of the smog pump back on and if there is a little something missing here or there, as long as its not obvious, will they even notice? Over here as long as the pump is on there and looks like it's hooked up, and it has a belt and is going round and round with the engine running, they are happy.
Question 2. If you know the answer to question 1 is iffy, why not put most of the smog pump back on and if there is a little something missing here or there, as long as its not obvious, will they even notice? Over here as long as the pump is on there and looks like it's hooked up, and it has a belt and is going round and round with the engine running, they are happy.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 379
From: Southern California
I feel like you could fool them. Slip a rubber hose over the plug and clamp it down. Rig it up so it looks like it works and simply take the belt off when it is not being inspected. If this is not an option, then heat and beat the plug and grip it with a pipe wrench. If that doesn't work, Weld a big *** nut on the plug.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
The cats will work without the smog pump, the smog pump just reduces the amount of unburnt hydrocarbons in the exhaust prior to the cat, so the cat doesn't get overloaded and overheat.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 16
From: Caraway, AR
I imagine it working like when you shut something in a door, or tailgate and the pressure from that won't let you release the catch. So you have to push against it to overcome the load to relieve the tension on the latch.