So I was attempting to remove the oil pressure switch yesterday, and i did. I removed an "L" adapter riser thing that the switch was connected to.But the threaded portion of that adapter thing broke in half so is still inside it. So my question is.... besides leaking and telling u the oil pressure, what else does it do? Do I really need it? Can I just plug the hole with one of those rubber plugs or weld it and forget about all it?Or do I really need it?What would happen if I plugged that hole? I am constantly checking the oil level in my car.I never look at the gauges Aaaand in case I do need it and I cant live without it... Does anybody has any ideas how to get out the broken piece? Any help is higly appreciated Thanks.

The oil pressure sending unit supplies signal to the gauge and is a backup for the fuel pump should the relay fail during run

Neither are critical to function, but the gauge is very handy

It shouldnt leak at all

If you leave the stub broken in there it will constantly spurt oil onto your manifold and you risk a fire

Remove the oil filter adapter and drill/tap the stub out or go to a JY and find a replacement

Im having a hard time getting it out of there.I dont wanna drill cuz I dont want debris going in.I attempted to easy-out it but the metal is to fragile so it wont bite it good.Im having my friend (he is a machinist) plug that hole instead....i think...in case I cant get that broken stub out.

Dont bother with a machinist

Go to a junkyard or advance auto and buy another adapter

Once you get the filter off youll see the 2 bolts that hold it to the block

A word about your 'machinist.' If he cant drill out a broken stub/bolt in a part thats directly in front of him, he's not worth anything at his trade

there are 2 bolts that hold it to the block?

The oil filter adapter, yes

mmm...I think u misunderstood me..( I might b wrong...im the rookie here) Im trying to get out the oil pressure switch(not the oil filter) which had an L adapter holding it to put it within reach i guess....I dont think the car came with it....but yeah all i see is a hole in front of the distributor where u screw the oil pressure switch on. And thats where the broken piece is in.I'll put up a pic

Oldschool SBCs use the oil sender on the rear china wall as you describe

All TPIs that Ive seen have a brass plug there and the oil sending unit is mounted off the oil filter adapter

If the plug is broken off on the rear china wall then you're left with 2 choices. If it doesnt leak, dont mess with it. Move the sender to the oil filter adapter where its supposed to be. If it leaks and you cant drill it out, the engine must be removed to repair. You cannot have an oil leak there, especially not one that big

I easy out'ed the broken bolt =]

Now ....I have another problem....the hole where the switch is supposed to be screwed into sits too low,=[ so i need some sort of adapter to make it fit.....any ideas where i can get that?

thanks in advance

oh and my 86 is not a TPI, its a carburetor... and the oil filter sits all the way back in the engine.

Any auto parts or plumbing store should sell adapters

thanks a lot. =]