Any advice on removing 3/8 plug from head?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Lisbon Me
Any advice on removing 3/8 plug from head?
Hello I need to remove the 3/8 plug in the head on the passenger side for a temp sensor I have been spraying it down with WD40 all week I have already broken a 3/8 ext on it which came out thank god . the ext does'nt seem to fit right because of the ball bearing and I really need to reef on this . It's been in there 26+ years been painted over and is rusty but I really need it out I have a piece of aluminum or thats what it looks like ? It's 3/8 but to soft to torque on should I look for something like this but harder metal where could I get something like that? thanks for any help .Carver (SLO RDE) 76 WHITE l-48 getting better everyday (while my wallet gets thinner everyday)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Any advice on removing 3/8 plug from head? (SLO RDE)
I've read (but never tried), that with some patience you can heat up the plug with a small propane torch then put some candle wax onto it. It's suppose to draw the wax up into the threads to free the plug.
I've had pretty good luck with PB Blaster which is a pentatrating oil for getting things free.
Good luck :cheers:
I've had pretty good luck with PB Blaster which is a pentatrating oil for getting things free.
Good luck :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 0
From: 20 forward gears to shift through in MD
Re: Any advice on removing 3/8 plug from head? (SmokedTires)
Darn, you beat me to it. If it won't budge, my normal course of action is also to try PB Blaster first and then resort to the propane torch. Haven't met a bolt yet that hasn't come out as a result (it must be out there waiting for me). :yesnod:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Any advice on removing 3/8 plug from head? (Denney)
carefull, carefull, pb blaster is flamable, and propane? Holy smoly....kabooooom.
this is a pipe thread, and u heat the outside of the head, not the plug. torch is better, concentrated flame, flame is smaller, and can be placed exactly where u want it. Just a couple of swipes around the plug will do the trick, then if u want to use parafin wax.......
[Modified by GDaina, 9:24 AM 8/21/2002]
this is a pipe thread, and u heat the outside of the head, not the plug. torch is better, concentrated flame, flame is smaller, and can be placed exactly where u want it. Just a couple of swipes around the plug will do the trick, then if u want to use parafin wax.......
[Modified by GDaina, 9:24 AM 8/21/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 0
From: 20 forward gears to shift through in MD
Re: Any advice on removing 3/8 plug from head? (GDaina)
Ooops, I didn't mean spray PB Blaster and then torch it, I meant I soak in PB Blaster and try to remove, and if that fails I resort to the torch (bolt/plug area clean). :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Any advice on removing 3/8 plug from head? (Denney)
Certainly don't spray the solvent while torching !! :lol:
I don't think that residual penetrating oil will explode - probably a few
flames - not much more that the paint burning off.
It sounds like you may have use a cheap extension, seeing that you broke
the end off. If it wasn't a "good" extension (Snapon, Craftsman, etc) then
try again after a good "torching". The ultimate would be a high quality
"impact" extension with a good cheater bar.
I can see the next post: " I successfully torched my vette last night"
:seeya
I don't think that residual penetrating oil will explode - probably a few
flames - not much more that the paint burning off.
It sounds like you may have use a cheap extension, seeing that you broke
the end off. If it wasn't a "good" extension (Snapon, Craftsman, etc) then
try again after a good "torching". The ultimate would be a high quality
"impact" extension with a good cheater bar.
I can see the next post: " I successfully torched my vette last night"
:seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: Any advice on removing 3/8 plug from head? (Denney)
I agree with Denney, use PB Blaster, but you might have to give it one or two days of intermittant spraying/soaking, then use an extension made for power tools, the black kind that's made of much harder stuff.
If the plug still won't budge, then it's time for the torch, and as has been said, heat areal around the plug, not the plug, and then give it a tug, and I'll bet you have an old and hot rusty plug in you hand in no time.
If the plug still won't budge, then it's time for the torch, and as has been said, heat areal around the plug, not the plug, and then give it a tug, and I'll bet you have an old and hot rusty plug in you hand in no time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Any advice on removing 3/8 plug from head? (john's '81 mouse)
Is this a square head plug? If so, try a 14 inch pipe wrench. If that doesn't budge it, try a 24 incher.
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