Mike Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 A tapered odd shape… Can you get a close enough multi point socket on it perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 ´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.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilliman Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted May 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted May 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrapman Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 Set of Stilsons and a new sump plug, never failed, how ever tight the previous gorilla tightened it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilliman Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 Personally I would't use an adjustable or a multi point socket, they are just the wrong tools for the job & could make matters worse.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pimp my Vit Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 Anybody know how much oil a Mk1 2.0 L Vitesse takes? 4.7 Lt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted May 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 Do you reckon this would fit? I wrongly thought one of my full sets of metric and imperial spanner’s would do this job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted May 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 Stilsons it is then. Any recommendations on a replacement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 6 minutes ago, Mike said: Stilsons it is then. Any recommendations on a replacement? Look for one that uses an "Allen" type fitting.? Similar?. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted May 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 All Ive seen have been slightly tapered on the square drive and even the one in the workshop manual looks like that and no washer of any type... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 4 minutes ago, PeteH said: Look for one that uses an "Allen" type fitting.? I have the 1" hex magnetics on engine sump, GB, Diff. Always been easy to undo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinR Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 Part number of suitable but non magnetic allen drive plug is 22G2115 available eBay... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 Canleys, and others, sell a hex headed magnetic non-tapered one (requires sealing washer). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 1 minute ago, Pete Lewis said: 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 Good point Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted May 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2022 Ordered one like the picture above but am conflicted now as it appears to be straight thread with nowhere to put a washer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted May 13, 2022 Report Share Posted May 13, 2022 No, think it must be tapered or it would never seal and just screw straight into the sump😁Just got to get the old one undone now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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