I'm trying to tear it down to finish cleaning it, but the plugs wont budge. They have a 1\4 drive socket. Ive tried the wratchet, but they all keep breaking. Ive looked from a 1/4 drive for my impact, but I cant seem to find one. Is it safe to heat around it with a propane torch? I'm really stuck here. Thanks

 

yep try a little heat, i've never got them out with out it. doesn't have to be red or anything like that just warm it up some.

 

They were installed when the block was still hot. The 1/4 drive stuff won't be strong enough. An impact 1/4 drive "might" work.

An old trick is to get an old head bolt and grind the end down to a 1/4" square. The head bolt is very strong and will allow you to put a 5/8" socket on it.

Another trick is to heat it up with a torch then melt a candle around the threads. The heated wax will soak into the threads and help unseize the plugs.

I've never tried either method but it gives you something to try.

 

Well, drill two new holes and tap them and install new plugs. What do you think???

Auggie

 

I had the same problem with my 400 block. I just drilled it out with a drill almost as big as the hole and then I just fished the remaining bits of metal out...