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Having trouble removing sump plug.


Mike

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Trying to do an oil change on my 2.0 litre Vitesse. Last oil change was done by a local specialist several years ago. The square sump drain plug just will not loosen off. It keeps trying to round off. Any ideas? What size is the head exactly? 
 

D158E907-22F2-40D9-A5DE-2B0AD7A4A4FA.jpeg

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´Can you get a file to it and make at least two decent parallel faces? Its very soft (so as you can see rounds off easily!) and then I would get a beefy good quality 12" adjustable on it. The jaws must tighten up well and then their wideness helps spread the load....

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That one looks pretty bad but it will still shift, clean off the visible threads with a wire brush first & if you haven't got access to a proper plug remover attach a big set of mole grips across the best looking flats that still allow you to apply force. Then first try to tighten the plug, I know that sounds counter intuitive but the very slightest of movement is all you need & it will then unscrew. Many moons ago I picked up a purpose made spanner that has never let me down .....probably fatal last words!

 

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I’ve tried an adjustable on it with no joy. Yes it is very soft and I’m trying to not round it off as it feels like it will just snap /break off.  Just been searching and there is a suggestion that running the engine before might help…I did this anyway.  Another suggestion is to use an 8 point socket and tap it on as an 8 point should go over a square.

I will now order a new sump drain plug (recommendations gladly accepted) before I attempt again. Anybody know how much oil a Mk1 2.0 L Vitesse takes? 

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Chillman and others thanks for the replies. I’m jealous of your spanner. I did try to tighten it a little. I’m going to have another go tomorrow. Will wire brush, file and apply WD40. Then the grips.

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My Lathe toolpost spanner is a dead ringer for those square ends.👍. I thought the correct Plug was straight and Had a Copper Washer seal?. Am I wrong or right?.

I will now have to slope off and look at the 13/60 Sump?????. (Maybe in Morning)

Pete

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3 minutes ago, PeteH said:

My Lathe toolpost spanner is a dead ringer for those square ends.👍. I thought the correct Plug was straight and Had a Copper Washer seal?. Am I wrong or right?.

I will now have to slope off and look at the 13/60 Sump?????. (Maybe in Morning)

Pete

I think it was straight originally in 1967! It appears tapered due to it being brutalised but it was square at some stage.

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The original plug is a taper thread with a 7/16" square head. When they get to that state of mangle I suspect the mole grips or stilson (NOT an adjustable) may be your only option.

As for replacement, magnetic ones are a good idea but the last one of those I bought just would not fit - the thread was too big.

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For the Spitfire and Herald, you can use a 7/16" 8 point (or double square) socket in a 1/2" or 3/8" breaker bar - works every time.  For example a Snap-on SW414 in 1/2" drive or an F314 in 3/8" drive.

On the GT6 and Vitesse, there is very little clearance between the chassis and the drain plug head, so a spanner (preferably a square) is "always" required.

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the design is a parallel sump hole with the plug being a self sealing tapered thread   why gorilla's  get these things ridiculously tight is beyond me 

a hex plug can have a better life but being a parallel thread does need a sealing washer and the flat face to seal properly 

the square is generally 7/16"  some are 1/2"

Pete

 

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I'm pretty sure you can get a magnetic hex with tapered thread, which (from memory) is fitted to my 13/60. I've just had look at a new spare one I have and it looks like tapered, not got my glasses on nor measured it.

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