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I really feel stupid, oil change

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 2:06 pm
by Wayne64
I posted a while back about what type of wrench removes the drain plug. 1/2" square drive is what I was told and that made sense as other plugs on the M37 also use that size. My drain plug has eight notches which looked like the plug was stamped when made. I can't get the plug loose?? I tried a breaker bar, my hand help impact driver and lastly I reached for my 1/2" air ratchet set on low. All that happened was the extension didn't have a good hold and skipped around. What truly makes me feel dumb is that I have more tools than most shops, have built automatic trannys that could handle 800hp, built race engines and know my way around Ford 9" rears. What am I missing here? Or do I Tig weld a nut onto it for removal. Go easy on me as I'm questioning my skills :cry:

Re: I really feel stupid, oil change

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 3:23 pm
by MSeriesRebuild
Wayne64 wrote:I posted a while back about what type of wrench removes the drain plug. 1/2" square drive is what I was told and that made sense as other plugs on the M37 also use that size. My drain plug has eight notches which looked like the plug was stamped when made. I can't get the plug loose?? I tried a breaker bar, my hand help impact driver and lastly I reached for my 1/2" air ratchet set on low. All that happened was the extension didn't have a good hold and skipped around. What truly makes me feel dumb is that I have more tools than most shops, have built automatic trannys that could handle 800hp, built race engines and know my way around Ford 9" rears. What am I missing here? Or do I Tig weld a nut onto it for removal. Go easy on me as I'm questioning my skills :cry:
Well, sounds like you can handle it, what we do in stubborn cases is simply get creative however we can with what we have to work with.

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:38 am
by Cal_Gary
Mine was as stubborn as yours, Wayne. I had to use a pipe wrench, which of course trashed the edges of the plug, but it came loose and I replaced the plug with a standard plug from VPW.
Gary

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:49 am
by Wayne64
Cal_Gary wrote:Mine was as stubborn as yours, Wayne. I had to use a pipe wrench, which of course trashed the edges of the plug, but it came loose and I replaced the plug with a standard plug from VPW.
Gary
Thanks Gary, I'll look to buying another before I try to remove again.

Question!

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:07 pm
by Tim Powell
Please explain "VPW"? Intrested minds (I use minds loosely) want to know! Thanks, Tim.

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 1:19 pm
by Lifer
"VPW" is Vintage Power Wagons, rougly 50 miles west of you in Fairfield. US 34 is a straight shot! :)

VPW!

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 2:49 pm
by Tim Powell
DUH! Boy do I feel goofy! Fairfield will be handy as I report to work everyother week in Mt. Pleasant IA, half way between Burlington and Fairfield!! Cool!!

Try a plumbing store

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:40 pm
by N1VSM
Cal_Gary wrote:... I replaced the plug with a standard plug from VPW.
Gary
I took my old one to a plumbing supply place (not a big box store, but one where they can get exactly what you need) and bought an exact replacement (and a spare). Much cheaper route, I think.

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:49 am
by Cal_Gary
I think the VPW plug was 8 bucks or so-you know the local parts places almost refuse to help unles you give them "year, make and model, please....?"
Gary