Drain Plug

[shockseals.com]

What is the best drain plug and gasket/washer to use on a 5.8? I alternate between two shops on oil changes and they both call each others drain plug a piece of shit and swap it out. It always leaks so I will call them both pieces of shit. It seems like a simple piece that should just seal with a crush washer...but it doesnt so I plan on doing the oil change myself and putting in whatever the consensus is on the best plug/gasket set up.

Does anybody know the thread? Should I just go get an OEM plug and gasket? I was trying to avoid the dealer.

[sydude]

It sounds more like the female threads on the pan itself are bad rather than both of your drain plugs...

[shockseals.com]

It sounds more like the female threads on the pan itself are bad rather than both of your drain plugs...

I have not personally inspected. I know it tightens to spec. as I have checked that.

[sydude]

I'm not sure exactly how it's built, but since the stock pan is basically stamped sheet metal, I would guess that the drain plug receiver is actually a separate threaded insert either pressed or brazed/welded in. So if the threads are good, you may have a small tear or hole where they meet.

[philofab]

I just put a new crush washer on every time and then cover it in Toyota FIPK so it doesn't come loose and I can easily see if it's been tampered with.

[hobbyturnedobsession]

I just get the little gaskets from autozone. They work good for me. They're just plastic or silicone washers.

[SteveG]

Usually it's a problem with the gasket. Finding GOOD crush washers for older domestics can be tough since all the parts stores stock is crap. We keep all kinds of really nice OE drain plug washers for imports because I can get them from World Pac AND, the cars came with nice gaskets to begin with.

I always forget to buy a good gasket and/or drain plug for mine when I change the oil and then I'm stuck with using the same crap on it as the last time... yeah, mine leaks, too.

I just called the dealer. A drain plug with gasket is less than $10 and in stock. The gasket is replaceable but they don't stock it separately. I should have a new plug and gasket later today... I'll post of photo of it. If I like it, I'll order extra gaskets to have on hand.

I'm not sure exactly how it's built, but since the stock pan is basically stamped sheet metal, I would guess that the drain plug receiver is actually a separate threaded insert either pressed or brazed/welded in. So if the threads are good, you may have a small tear or hole where they meet.

Yes, it's got a nut tacked to the inside of the pan.

I just get the little gaskets from autozone. They work good for me. They're just plastic or silicone washers.

I hate the plastic washers. I'll only use metal in mine unless I'm in a bind.

[philofab]

I don't care for plastic either. I use the copper stuff but you have to be careful these days.... auto parts stores are now selling copper coated steel washers now. They don't work correctly since steel is too hard.

[Copykat]

Buddy of mine that is a tractor Mechanic, gave me a bunch of seals the other day and they fit drain plugs Perfect. It's a steel washer that has rubber fin on both sides.

He says they are used in Kubota's Hub reduction. Going to try and find a part number.

[ChaseTruck754]

Anybody tried heating & re-using old copper washers? I haven't tried it but I've heard if you heat the used, real copper ones to a dull red it anneals them again & they can be re-used. Sounds like it may work.

[SteveG]

Definitely worth getting it from the dealer.

[Seabass]

Theres a vendor on ebay called powersut racing... no really powerslut racing that makes bitch'n drain plugs with a super strong magnet on it. I got one for my CTD and was impressed with the quality. I'll be getting one for the bronco soon as well.

Something worth mentioning is that there are two differant drain plugs available with differant threads. Maybe someone forced the wrong one into your pan? I dunno just thinking out loud. Funny how the little things bug the most huh?

[Copykat]

Buddy of mine that is a tractor Mechanic, gave me a bunch of seals the other day and they fit drain plugs Perfect. It's a steel washer that has rubber fin on both sides.

He says they are used in Kubota's Hub reduction. Going to try and find a part number.

Try kubota part number 0417-01600

[AussieRod]

Anybody tried heating & re-using old copper washers? I haven't tried it but I've heard if you heat the used, real copper ones to a dull red it anneals them again & they can be re-used. Sounds like it may work.

Actually, you need to heat the copper washer to cherry red, then drop it in water. I know it sounds stupid, but thats how you anneal copper and makes it nice and soft

[philofab]

Anybody tried heating & re-using old copper washers? I haven't tried it but I've heard if you heat the used, real copper ones to a dull red it anneals them again & they can be re-used. Sounds like it may work.

Actually, you need to heat the copper washer to cherry red, then drop it in water. I know it sounds stupid, but thats how you anneal copper and makes it nice and soft

You can anneal copper either way... allowing it to cool or quenching in water.

Ferrous metals like steel can only be annealed by allowing them to cool slowly. Sometimes people call this normalization or normalizing. Quenching steel in water or oil normally hardens it.

[Seabass]

Here's a link to the guy's store I mentioned a few posts above. I just ordered myself one.


http://www.ebay.com/sch/powersl*tracing ... ksid=p3984

[broncbuilder]

dealer dealer dealer. Ive found im much happier buying what used to be nonsense items from the dealer. Also i only my my tstats and spark plugs from the dealer.