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Sealant needed on pipe plugs?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,118
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From: Madeira Beach, FL
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Sealant needed on pipe plugs?
Hello,
I'm replacing the passenger side manifold on my '68 BB and am installing 4 new pipe plugs. Both outer ears fell off the orig. manifold when removed.
Do these plugs need some thread sealant or install dry?
They all go in about the same depth with about 3-4 rows of thread exposed when tight. That sound about right?
Thanks,
Marshal
I'm replacing the passenger side manifold on my '68 BB and am installing 4 new pipe plugs. Both outer ears fell off the orig. manifold when removed.
Do these plugs need some thread sealant or install dry?
They all go in about the same depth with about 3-4 rows of thread exposed when tight. That sound about right?
Thanks,
Marshal
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You can use #2 Permatex or pipe thread sealant. You do NOT want to use any silicone product, except for black RTV (which can handle coolants and petroleum products).
Also, don't overtorque lubricated pipe plugs. With sealant, you don't need to put much torque on them; and you can split the manifold if you tighten too much.
Also, don't overtorque lubricated pipe plugs. With sealant, you don't need to put much torque on them; and you can split the manifold if you tighten too much.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Oct 14, 2013 at 05:40 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
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From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Hello,
I'm replacing the passenger side manifold on my '68 BB and am installing 4 new pipe plugs. Both outer ears fell off the orig. manifold when removed.
Do these plugs need some thread sealant or install dry?
They all go in about the same depth with about 3-4 rows of thread exposed when tight. That sound about right?
Thanks,
Marshal
I'm replacing the passenger side manifold on my '68 BB and am installing 4 new pipe plugs. Both outer ears fell off the orig. manifold when removed.
Do these plugs need some thread sealant or install dry?
They all go in about the same depth with about 3-4 rows of thread exposed when tight. That sound about right?
Thanks,
Marshal
I figured he was talking about the exhaust manifold, too. I was wondering what he was talking about with the pipe plugs. I'm still wondering what he means by the ears of the manifold falling off. Anyway, a smear of High Tack or Ultra Gray, justabout anything that won't be degraded by coolant, wouldn't hurt anything.
Scott
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I took the OP to mean exhaust manifold. Given the frequency the factory cast manifolds have problems. I've pulled factory BB manifolds that were perfect, gently laid them aside, and they were cracked when I went to re-install. Same with SB manifolds. How many I've heated with a rosebud to get them to spread enough to get all the bolts started.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,118
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Exhaust Manifold
Ok everyone thanks for the replies.
My evap box had a hole in since some body before me bumped the exhaust manifold thru it.
To take out box for replacement the pass side exhaust manifold had to come off no way around it on a BB
Upon removing both the bolts at the far ends of the manifold the tabs for the bolts just fell off. They had been broken a while as the orange paint showed exhaust flashing or soot from an obvious leak.
I obtained an orig. manifold and 4 new plugs.
Hence my question regarding sealer or not?
The plugs are not brass but thread in nicely.
I will not go crazy tightening these things.
I bought 1/4 by 18 nps square headed plugs.
As for the drivers side I haven't found it cracked so I'm leaving that side alone for now.
I'll install dry.
Thanks everyone for the replies.
Marshal
My evap box had a hole in since some body before me bumped the exhaust manifold thru it.
To take out box for replacement the pass side exhaust manifold had to come off no way around it on a BB
Upon removing both the bolts at the far ends of the manifold the tabs for the bolts just fell off. They had been broken a while as the orange paint showed exhaust flashing or soot from an obvious leak.
I obtained an orig. manifold and 4 new plugs.
Hence my question regarding sealer or not?
The plugs are not brass but thread in nicely.
I will not go crazy tightening these things.
I bought 1/4 by 18 nps square headed plugs.
As for the drivers side I haven't found it cracked so I'm leaving that side alone for now.
I'll install dry.
Thanks everyone for the replies.
Marshal