Smokehouse69

I got my new temp sensor and need to remove the 3/8" pipe plug in my head to install it. I have checked every every tool in my tool box and find anything that fits well enough to attempt removal of the plug. I'm doing this pretty much blind, since the the plug is sort of hard to see behind the exhaust manifold.

73sbvert

Does it have a square opening recessed in the plug?? Put a 3" extension on a ratchet wrench and I'll bet that it will fit right in there!

If it has a square part external of the plug threads, then an open end or Crescent wrench should fit just fine.

hth,
Paul

cardo0

Looks more like a 5/16” square from here in California. :jester I bought a ZZ4 intake (from Cookwithvette) and found one oddball pipe plug – 5/16”. My ¼” or 3/8” breaker bar won’t fit it. Sounds Like you may have similar problem but in hard to see location. Don’t know if a metric size is used here (8mm)? Plan to just get some 5/16” square stock then heat and bend. Cut and file to final handle size and fit. You could size it up with some clay. :rolleyes:

bigvette1

Soak it with PB rust blaster for a day or so. Then try the 3/8" socket extension but use an impact ext as it is hardened. If it will not budge with a ratchet is there room to get an impact wrench on it?

Smokehouse69

That's what I've found, this is a on a set of L98 heads on a ZZ4! I knew it must have been an oddball size since I can't get a normal 3" - 3/8" extension into the hole.
I vaguely remember facing this when I installed the engine, and had to remove the plugs in the manifold for the fan and temp sensors I put in the manifold. It's hell getting old, I think I must be getting senile. :lol:

Budman68

You must of left the tool in the kitchen cabinet next to the bottle of Viagra. Some of them are socket head plugs and require a large allen wrench. :D


[Modified by Budman78, 8:34 AM 11/5/2003]

KenSny

1/4" square allen-type wrench will fit. If it has a recessed hole. Use a 1/4" open end to fit if it has the square "****" on top.




[Modified by KenSny, 11:00 PM 11/4/2003]

Big Fish

A 3/8 extension would be a good start, but if it's loose or too tight you can get 8 point sockets in a slightly smaller or larger size from Sears that should do the trick with some square keyway stock. You can probably get the keyway stock at better hardware stores. Those plugs get socked in pretty good over time, some intense heat from an oxy/acetylene torch directed around the surrounding area of the plug would help. Do not heat the plug itself, only the surrounding area.


[Modified by Big Fish, 9:46 PM 11/4/2003]

Smokehouse69

Keep Viagra in the medicine cabinet!! I don't think so.... I have a block of it mounted to the head of the bed, like a salt lick! :jester

Jughead

:lolg: :crazy:

Twin_Turbo

That will most likely cause the extension to break at the point where the little retaining ball is located. Snap On sells a tool to get these out

KenSny

This is almost as confusing as trying to find the right small temp sensor.

I have in front of me 3 3/8-NPT plugs.
#1 has a 1/4 square hole for an allen wrench. It looks like an aftermarket aluminum plug (Moroso or Summit maybe).
#2 has a slightly larger than 3/8" square nub on top. It is iron. Looks like something from the plumming area of Home Depot.
#3 is a match to what I used to plug the SR head. It has a 6-sided bolt-like head that seems to be slight larger than 3/8" and is iron, or steel, definitely not aluminum.

Good Luck.

Green76

Smokehouse69,

Go to the hardware store and buy a 12" length of 5/16" square KEY STOCK it's used on electric motor output shaft to keep the belt pulley from turning.
it fits right in the plug and use a Cressent wrench to back the plug out...

Ulf

rponfick

Twin Turbo, you are correct. I broke 3 extensions before finding one strong enough to do the job. Glad to hear SnapOn makes something for this. All the shops I inquired about the problem didn't know of any special tool.