Oil Plug Torque
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,730
Likes: 13
From: Waynesville, OH
Oil Plug Torque
Hi guys and gals,
I finally got five minutes to myself and started putting my engine back together. It's been sitting for over a month since coming back from the maching shop. Ah well, we're all busy - ask any one of us.
To the point - I can't find the torque spec for the oil plug in any of my books or literature. Yes, I know, just torque that puppy down. It would be nice to know the recommended number, though, since it has a hard fiber washer behind it and they don't like to be squashed to smithereens. If anybody has a number I'd sure appreciate it. This is for the 7/8"-16 oil plug, not the 3/4"-24 plug used on some of the earlier engines or the 1/2"-20 used on later ones.
I finally got five minutes to myself and started putting my engine back together. It's been sitting for over a month since coming back from the maching shop. Ah well, we're all busy - ask any one of us.
To the point - I can't find the torque spec for the oil plug in any of my books or literature. Yes, I know, just torque that puppy down. It would be nice to know the recommended number, though, since it has a hard fiber washer behind it and they don't like to be squashed to smithereens. If anybody has a number I'd sure appreciate it. This is for the 7/8"-16 oil plug, not the 3/4"-24 plug used on some of the earlier engines or the 1/2"-20 used on later ones.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
"It would be nice to know the recommended number, though, since it has a hard fiber washer behind it and they don't like to be squashed to smithereens."
I know you won't care much for this answer but there is too much variance in the washer/gasket material for a precise answer.
Glad to hear you finally had a few minutes to work on your truck anyway.
I know you won't care much for this answer but there is too much variance in the washer/gasket material for a precise answer.
Glad to hear you finally had a few minutes to work on your truck anyway.
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,730
Likes: 13
From: Waynesville, OH
Thanks guys. It was nice to have a few minutes with the old iron although it doesn't look like I'll have another chance for a few weeks. 
I found out I can get a box of 100 hard fiber gaskets for about $6 or so. I'll follow your advice and test a few at different (resonably low) torque values to see what I can get away with and still have no oil leaks. You're right Dewayne, I doubt it has to be very precise given the type of materials involved and the fact that there isn't any pressure on the seal. 
Cheers!
I found out I can get a box of 100 hard fiber gaskets for about $6 or so. I'll follow your advice and test a few at different (resonably low) torque values to see what I can get away with and still have no oil leaks.
You're right Dewayne, I doubt it has to be very precise given the type of materials involved and the fact that there isn't any pressure on the seal. Cheers!
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 955
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis USA
George..... ah, I believe you're thinking too hard about this... I would guess I go about a quarter turn after it starts getting snug. Haven't had any problems with leaking.
Actually, I went through this same problem when putting the oil lines back on the engine and filter. Rather than risk stripping the threads, I tightened them reasonable, filled everything up and made sure the ends of the lines were clean, then started it up and watched for a few minutes to see what leaked. It took maybe 20 minutes of monkeying around but in the end I had a leak-free system.
I would guess I go about a quarter turn after it starts getting snug. Haven't had any problems with leaking.Actually, I went through this same problem when putting the oil lines back on the engine and filter. Rather than risk stripping the threads, I tightened them reasonable, filled everything up and made sure the ends of the lines were clean, then started it up and watched for a few minutes to see what leaked. It took maybe 20 minutes of monkeying around but in the end I had a leak-free system.
