Sump plug stuck

[Jeffds1360]

Now,.... my block is a Spitfire mkiv, no idea if sump is original 13/60 but my drain plug is 7/16 SQUARE. Is this usual?

Also it is jammed solid. A half inch ring spanner seems about right but not perfect. 7/16 Open ended is too risky to put much force on.

Any tips please. ....mole grips and hammer? Will the sump tear?

Arrrrrgh....again!

[johny]

Have you got a big (12" or more) good quality adjustable? It needs the car off the ground a fair way but using one of these plus mallet the plug wont resist for long...

[Jeffds1360]

👍 Cheers Johny, I was a bit scared to give it full welly

[johny]

it wont be rusted with all that oil everywhere😁 so wont need too much force. Do make sure the adjustable jaws stay tight on the plug though...

[Pete Lewis]

the taper threaded  drain plug is std  across the pretty much whole range of triumph of the era  114774

if you decide to replace with a magnetic be careful these are not a tapered thread and need a sealing washer , the sump needs a face suitable for the washer to seal against , its a good idea but is likely to leak if it cant seal 

[Jeffds1360]

Cheers Pete. I may get the 'square' one with washer and clean the face, then it just 'nips' up

[Colin Lindsay]

11mm works much better than anything Imperial. I photographed it recently; you can see how much better the metric spanner fits.

  

 

[Pete Lewis]

ive always found   11mm and 7/16" are the same  AF

get a flat bar drill a hole and file out to a 7/16" square    it will last for years 

Pete

[KevinR]

I use one of these - https://shop.snapon.com/product/Double-Square%2C-Inches%2C-Chrome/3-8%22-Drive-8-Point-SAE-7%2F16%22-Double-Square-Socket/F314

[johny]

I think the key thing is to have as wide a contact area as possible to spread the load. Of course it also depends on the state of the plug as some can be pretty mangled🤪 That socket should do it if its a good fit....

[Badwolf]

There are several references to drain plugs on other threads. Take care if you decide to replace it as some definately don't fit. I had trouble getting mine out and took the precaution of getting a new one before taking a spanner and hammer to the old one which was already badly butchered. Yes, you saw it coming, it was the wrong one. The old one went back in and I got a replacement, replacement (not a typo), ready for the next change.

Addition -

Jeff, have a look here..

https://forum.tssc.org.uk/topic/5384-sump-plug-thread/?tab=comments#comment-65257

 

[Jeffds1360]

Ok then, I have 11mm and 7/16 sockets, rings, mole grips and open enders so after my daily exercise (a walk to the sea front) without any socialising, I will get my 1, 2 and 4lb hammers out and give it a go

[johny]

hmmmm what are you going to start with?

[JohnD]

Give it a bang in the tightening direction first.

Try heat.   You won't be able to get it any hotter than the boiling point of the oil (about 300C) so don't aim at red heat.   And do it well ventilated, although most of the oil vapour will condense in cooler parts of the engine.     For REAL heat, weld a hehead bolt to the plug - that will get red hot!

[poppyman]

56 minutes ago, Jeffds1360 said:

Ok then, I have 11mm and 7/16 sockets, rings, mole grips and open enders so after my daily exercise (a walk to the sea front) without any socialising, I will get my 1, 2 and 4lb hammers out and give it a go

Use a stilson wrench if you have one Jeff? It will come out as you have the leverage.

Tony.

[Colin Lindsay]

Remember it could be like the fuel tank drain plug; the plus stays but a large section of metal twists off round it. Try John's recommendation of heat first.

[Jeffds1360]

Mole grips and 2lb

 

[Badwolf]

What state is the plug in?

[Jeffds1360]

Good. Very clean threads and just a slight rounding of corners.

I'm debating magnetic and washer or just keep this one in, at a sensible torque...... wife bought me a torque wrench for our 45th on Sunday! What to get her???

[Badwolf]

Congratulations on the anniversary, "what to get her", simples, a socket set set of course.

As for the plug you can always drill a hole in it and insert a magnet. At least you know that it fits.

[poppyman]

2 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said:

Remember it could be like the fuel tank drain plug; the plus stays but a large section of metal twists off round it. Try John's recommendation of heat first.

I have had plenty of fuel tank drain plugs snap in my career Colin, but never a sump plug..... many many tight ones. Maybe not drained enough Oil on Triumph's  

Tony.

[Paul H]

2 hours ago, Jeffds1360 said:

Good. Very clean threads and just a slight rounding of corners.

I'm debating magnetic and washer or just keep this one in, at a sensible torque...... wife bought me a torque wrench for our 45th on Sunday! What to get her???

1 hour ago, poppyman said:

I have had plenty of fuel tank drain plugs snap in my career Colin, but never a sump plug..... many many tight ones. Maybe not drained enough Oil on Triumph's  

Tony.

Canleys sell a sump plug with Magnet 

https://www.canleyclassics.com/?diagram=triumph-herald-13/60-gearbox-mainshaft&ptno=ULC1998

I thinks it’s a 23 mm bolt , so no issues on removing any more , just change the copper washer every oil change 

Paul 

[Jeffds1360]

Thanks Paul, they are out of stock and I've got a price request in at Rimmers  for various bits and bobs.

[Paul H]

3 minutes ago, Jeffds1360 said:

Thanks Paul, they are out of stock and I've got a price request in at Rimmers  for various bits and bobs.

Their out of stock is a waiting time of s few days only . But I think Dave is on holiday for a week . Buy 2 to get the diff done as well 

Paul 

[Jeffds1360]

I don't think my diff is drainable but I'll double check. Thanks