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Discussion Topic:
'53 truck oil pan leak at drain plug?
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Flatbob |
03-13-2013 @ 9:58 PM
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Member
Posts: 437
Joined: Oct 2009
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Oil drain plug continues to leak despite new brass washer. The washer is very loose around the shank of the the drain plug, to me it doesn't look like correct size but it's what C&G sent. Also, the pan is freshly painted, could paint where the gasket meets pan be contributing to the leak; should that area be bear metal?
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trjford8 |
03-14-2013 @ 6:40 AM
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Senior
Posts: 4234
Joined: Oct 2009
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I know it's not original, but I have found that using a nylon gasket on the plug works better as it conforms to imperfections in the pan drain hole.
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TomO |
03-14-2013 @ 8:05 AM
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Senior
Posts: 7264
Joined: Oct 2009
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Any burrs on the plug or pan will cause a leak. You can purchase the copper crush washers at most auto supply houses.
Tom
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supereal |
03-14-2013 @ 11:32 AM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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We often use a big O ring that fits the plug. Be sure the threads in the drain are not crossthreaded, or otherwise damaged. Overtightening is not uncommon.
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Flatbob |
03-14-2013 @ 3:54 PM
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Member
Posts: 437
Joined: Oct 2009
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Thanks for replying, will look for o-ring or nylon gasket. Threads on pan & plug are in very good condition. Will clean up the mating surface on the bottom of pan with fine file also.
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Stroker |
03-14-2013 @ 7:42 PM
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Senior
Posts: 1460
Joined: Oct 2009
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Here's a hint I learned a few decades ago regarding copper gaskets. Solid copper gaskets will in time become quite hard due to heating and cooling cycles. This affects their ability to conform to irregularities. It is very easy to restore these gaskets, be they for oil-line "banjo" fittings, drain plugs, or aircraft spark plug gaskets. Put the gasket on a welding rod or straightened coat hanger, and heat to a dull red with either an air-acetylene (Prestolite) or modern propane torch. Quench in water, and the copper will be "dead-soft" once again. Kinda counter-intuitive to those of us who harden steel, but copper is a different "animal".
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