Hole in the head

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Jun 6, 2006 | 12:58 AM

Beater

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From: IL/IA

Hole in the head

I'm still working on installing my electric fan and
Derale Temp switch. I found the perfect screw in mount on the right (Passenger side) head. Currently there is a plug with a square hole that almost fits a 3/8 socket wrench perfectly (there is still some play). I know others on this board have used spot to mount the tempreature probe.

I can not get that plug out for the life of me. I'm worried about screwing up that plug since I believe it is brass. Anyone have any tips or tricks? Am I going about this all wrong? Would the plug on top of the water pump be a better location?

Jun 6, 2006 | 06:34 AM

L88Plus

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From: Lubbock TX

Make you a cheap flame director out of a small metal funnel - cut the end off so it's as close to the exact size of the plug as you can get it. Hold or clamp this in place and use a propane torch to heat the plug. Once it's good and hot, either use parafin wax or spray it with a very liberal dose of WD-40. The heat will draw the wax or WD-40 into the threads and help break it loose. The expansion of the plug without heating the head will also help to crack it loose. Good luck!

Jun 6, 2006 | 10:39 AM

marshrat99

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From: Dayton Oh

you may have to repeat the heat & cool down cycle a few times but it will come loose. BTW, the hole you describe is when the aux. rad fan switch is located on my 79 L82.

Jun 6, 2006 | 11:15 AM

theandies

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From: Virginia USA

Hole in the Head?

Hey,
My wife says I have one of those too.

Jun 7, 2006 | 12:21 AM

Beater

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From: IL/IA

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshrat99

you may have to repeat the heat & cool down cycle a few times but it will come loose. BTW, the hole you describe is when the aux. rad fan switch is located on my 79 L82.

Awesome. Thanks all for the input. Any idea what the best tool is to turn it with? Like I said before, a 3/8 drive ratchet seems to almost fit, but it is not perfect.

Jun 9, 2006 | 12:12 AM

Beater

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From: IL/IA

So I heated and cooled, soaked it with PB blaster and then managed to strip the plug.

O well. I'll get it out some day. For now I'm hooking the AC bypass (keeps the fan on when the AC is on) to a toggle switch and mounting the temp sensor in the plug on top of the water pump. I have to get an adapter at lowes. The hole in the pump is 3/4" ID and the probe is 3/8" OD. I know it is not an ideal set up, but it will work for now and I'll have a toggle switch for a back up

.

If you see a flaw with this logic, smack me now. I'm really flying by the seat of my pants here.

Jun 9, 2006 | 09:16 AM

SIXFOOTER

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Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Boca Raton Florida

a better location would be in the thermostat mount. you want the fan to come on once the thermostat opens and cycles hot water from the engine to the rad.

Jun 10, 2006 | 12:18 PM

Beater

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From: IL/IA

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER

a better location would be in the thermostat mount. you want the fan to come on once the thermostat opens and cycles hot water from the engine to the rad.

I thought that too, but I'm out of ports. the stock motor has what appear to be 2 sets of vacum lines attached there. I have no idea what they are for.