Well, I finally got around to workiing on my motor today and I decided to pull the lifter galley plugs and install some screw in types. But here is the problem, I have a standard tap set and I guess I really dont know what Im doing. What I tried to do was find a tap in the set that was closest to the thread size of my screw in plugs. But I tried to start the tap in the oil hole and I cant get it too grab it and start cutting some new threads. I know im doing something wrong, what should I be doing here?


btw, the plug that came out thankfully did not go into the pan instead it was in the lifter galley area. I decided to replace the other plugs because when I turned the oil pump, they all leaked terribly, which is going to cause a lot of oil pressure lost.


Thanks again


FERacing66

 

I beleive that some taps will be slightly tapered to start the threads and then even out to cut. Just be sure you have the correct tap for the thread size. Some cutting oil will help. Try to start the tap and turn it in and out as you go along. This will help the tap not bind and stay true. You also might need to drill the hole a little before using the tap as it sounds the hole is to small for the tap your using. Just be careful how deep the allen plug goes in. If it goes in too deep it can block the oil passage. I'm assuming you are just installing the top plugs and not blocking off the oil galley for a solid cam and lifters. Also keep in mind you are drilling and tapping a sensitive area and be sure to get all the shavings out of there. You don't want metal shavings running through the oil passages to the lifters. Maybe try a small thin magnet to get the shavings out. To finish you can use a very small amount of teflon sealer on the threads of the plug. Using to much will ooze down to the oil galley and block it. If you have never done this find something to drill and tap and check plug fit for practice. Any old cast iron engine parts or similar will work. This way there will be no question before you start the block. I always check my drill and tap size before starting and practice fit if it's something I've never attempted. Take your time and have your ducks in a row before starting. G.

 

I think the screw in plugs are a pipe thread, aren't they?? IIRC, the tap is a 1/4" pipe thread and it does start a little tough. Put some grease on the tap and it will catch the majority of the chips.

 

Thank you FFR and putt, I will give it another try today.

 

You will more than likely need to DRILL the hole accordingly to be able to tap it with 1/4" npt. I don't have my drill chart handy, but..1/8" npt is 11/32", so I think 1/4" npt is 7/16" drill(check to see if I am right).

If you are doing all this with a completely assembled motor....I wouldn't. Buy some new press in plugs, install them with some hard tack gasket maker and then peen the corner of the hole over to hold them securely. Drilling and tapping now will make a mess inside your oil galley's and this is not a good thing. Any loose chips can make their way around the camshaft and right to crank/rods.

 

Well it is a completey assembled motor aside from the intake being off. What about some lockite red? Would that hold them in? Also, I think I might have put them in upside down, do they go it with the insie part out, or the other way? Even the ones that didnt come out were pretty much GUSHING with oil when I turned the pump by hand, imagaine what it is with the motor running. Well, I guess ill just try to put the darn little buggers in, I should have had the machine shop take care of this crap! What a headache!

 

I would use the Form-a-gasket gasket maker(hardening stuff). It will help fill any voids. Smear it around the plug and install recess down(like a glass of water). Use a small punch to set them firm, then use a small chisel point to pinch the top of casting down to hold them from slipping out. There should be no way they leak, unless they are the wrong size or the hole is out of round(Or the plugs are really cheap and not sized right?). The CAM rear plug is the only one that gets installed upside(to clear rear of cam).

If I'm reading this right...it's a fresh motor?? Did you install the plugs or did the machine shop?? If they did, I'd be questioning their installation.

 

You know, it might help to heat the block and chill the plugs. Chilling will slightly shrink the plugs, and heat will expand the holes in the block. Haven't tried it myself, but it might work.

 

Yes I installed the plugs. I installed them upside down, that is why they are leaking and is also why the one came out. The ones at the rear of the block are also installed wrong, so somewhere down the road they will be coming out and ill have to fix them. unfortaneley I dont have any form- a gasket stuff so I will be using the locktite permanet stuff. I live out of town so I have to make do with what I have. Thanks for help guys.

 

Glad we got things straightened out for you. Pressing them in upside down usually distorts them enough that they WILL leak. That is why the only one is the cam plug and I usually put RTV around it and smear it smooth. Never had one leak yet, and there is not any real pressure against it anyway.

Locktite will probably work fine. Just remember to pinch the top of the hole slightly. It will keep the plug from possibly popping out from oil pressure.

 

Thread type is very important, (fine,coarse, pipe) your bolt may work itself loose if the threads are wrong. but avery size should have two taps a starter and a bottom out tap, one is pointed and one is flat on the end. If your hole isnt very deep and your using a starter tap the tip may be bottoming out before the actual deep threads start gripping. In that case you need a bottom tap where the threads do not taper up, they just start right off the bat.

 

I installed them correctly and they are holding great with no leaks. One more question, the 4 plugs at the rear of the block, how much oil pressure is on them? A lot? I put them in the wrong way, BUT I know there in there relativeley straight, and I used a ton of RTV on them to help stop leaks. Do you think Ill luck out and theyll stay in for me?

Again thanks so much for the help it would be running right now if it werent for me working in outside and there being snow on the ground.

This year, not so happy about the white Christmas.


Merry Christmas everyone, enjoy the holiday.