jeffc Posted July 21, 2019 Report Share Posted July 21, 2019 Hello, i have seized oil drain plugs on the engine and diff and the oil fill plug on the gearbox. The car is a 1971 1300 Spitfire that hasn’t run for 22 years. It is now running and I want to change the diff and gearbox oil. The engine has been solved by a vacuum pump through the dip stick tube but I am stuck with the diff and gearbox. I have been using a 7/16” spanner and a hammer along with plus gas but no effect so far. I have also tried a bit of heat from a blow torch. I have been looking for 8 point sockets but cannot find the right size in the uk. Can anyone advise how best to loosen the plug. Does anyone have experience with one of the universal sockets? thanks, Jeff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted July 21, 2019 Report Share Posted July 21, 2019 I have shifted bolts with 'metrinch' spanners or sockets as they grip on the flat not the corners. Some don't like them but I have found them very useful in addition to my 'normal' sets. They are quite expensive but come up on fleabay quite often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted July 21, 2019 Report Share Posted July 21, 2019 27 minutes ago, jeffc said: 7/16” spanner and a hammer Not ideal. A 3' breaker bar does it for me, physics, init. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 21, 2019 Report Share Posted July 21, 2019 You may hammer a 3/8"drive socket onto the square back to front but find one you can get to fit the drive on your wrench ie a 5/16whit bi hex fits a 1/2sq drive Youre lucky if the diff has a drain plug ???? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinR Posted July 21, 2019 Report Share Posted July 21, 2019 The 8 point socket you need is a 7/16" one. For example a Snap-on SW414 in 1/2" drive or an F314 in 3/8" drive. Works a treat getting the stubborn drain plugs undone - but not really suitable for the engine drain on a GT6 (and possibly a Vitesse) as there is minimal clearance between the chassis rail and the drain plug, so getting the tool in place is almost impossible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad4classics Posted July 21, 2019 Report Share Posted July 21, 2019 I've got a Martin Tools 265h 7/16 square drive wrench which I found on eBay UK but is made by a company in USA; fits like a glove and allows some really seriously stuck plugs to be undone. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted July 21, 2019 Report Share Posted July 21, 2019 I have used a Stilson on damaged plugs and nuts, crude but effective. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted July 21, 2019 Report Share Posted July 21, 2019 37 minutes ago, 68vitesse said: I have used a Stilson on damaged plugs and nuts, crude but effective. Regards Paul Me too; don't worry about damage as you'll probably replace with new if they're really badly rounded off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted July 21, 2019 Report Share Posted July 21, 2019 Jeff, I've always recommeneded heat, but you've tried that! How hot? Did you let the torch really get at the plug? In fact, it won't get that hot if the sump is full of oil, as like a pan on the stove, it can't get hotter than the liquid boiling in it. That's only 100C for water, but a healthy 300C for sump oil, so worth while. Another way to get heat into the plug it to weld a bolt onto it. Very concentrated heat! Then, violence. HIT the hot plug with a BFH. Not so hard as to dent the sump, but give it hearty whack. Then Stillson's. Order a new plug first! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 ... but make sure that you get the correct plug before you start. I have a tapered, no washer, plug on my Spit. I was sent a straight one with washer. Only found out it was the wrong one when the plug came out. I had forgotten that my engine is a Herald 13/60 not a Spitfire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 pretty much all were a tapered plug, a hex head will only work if the threaded boss has a flat square furface to seal onto. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 Yep.. found that out. Old mishapen plug back in til the next oil change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 A better bet is a oversize plug from Canleys with magnet 155660 DRAIN PLUG - MAGNETIC £6.98 EACH IN STOCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 6 hours ago, Badwolf said: Yep.. found that out. Old mishapen plug back in til the next oil change. Should never be misshapen - just grind or file straight and use a smaller spanner... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 This one is REALLY mishapen!! Mole wrench was needed to get it out which did it no good whatsoever. Didn't need to treat it carefully did I,... I had a new one... oh yeah. Of course, had to get it back together quickly for a trip out. Listed the C*nley's one for next spares order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Cooper Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 I would suggest caution before applying heat to the sump plug as I think the plug hole is soldered to the sump and heat may melt the solder and leave you with a large hole in the sump. At least on my Mk2 the plug hole is soldered on. Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadgetman Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 What thread is the sump plug, is it 3/8 BSP or NPT ? i need to get a new magnetic one for my Vitesse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 25 minutes ago, Gadgetman said: What thread is the sump plug, is it 3/8 BSP or NPT ? i need to get a new magnetic one for my Vitesse I bought the magnetic one from Canleys for my vitesse . Don’t forget to use the copper washer . Got the t shirt ! nb same one fits the diff level plug https://www.canleyclassics.com/demoapp/?ptno=155660 Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 Canley only sell the magnetic one it fits all get the sealing washer as well Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpitFire6 Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 Hi, is there a case for case-hardening the across flats part? they would not "round off" or get distorted. Could get a few done at work gratis if useful mod? Would be no good for plugs with attached magnets. I can't remember the last time I drained thru the sump plug. Syphon thru the dipstick is way easy compared to a cat litter tray inside two HD bin liners. Cheers, Iain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 A while back club shop sold an easy drain adaptor but on some 6s it was not an easy fit due to tight clearance . made draining a clean job Just pop,the cap and out it runs ,, was a bit pricey but concept was good. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 I have always used gearbox drain plugs. Decent hex head. Plus they are magnetic. And available new. So probably not worth messing with the square head plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Why is the plug a square head when just about everything else is hex. There must be a logical reason for it? Pete - If the C*nleys plug fits all, why does the plug I got from P*ddocks not fit. If one plug fits all, then all the plugs made should be the same.. if you get my drift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 I also have one from P*ddocks that is the wrong thread and just doesn't fit. I put it aside and instead used one I was given by a local member who's broken a few engines and now has something Ford under his bonnet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 https://www.canleyclassics.com/demoapp/?ptno=114774 well std plug 114774 fits these and mag plug 155660 https://www.canleyclassics.com/demoapp/?ptno=155660 if the supplers get the thread pitch incorrect its wrong maybe paddocks have a problem note on rimmers part Product Description The two types of drain plug are interchangeable. It is advisable to use the magnetic type for safety’s sake, to attract and collect any unwanted ferrous particles in the gearbox lubricant. so that aligns with my brain waves Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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