HELP! I accidentally broke off the fitting that sticks up near the distributor for the oil pressure switch, with the threads still in the block. is there anyway anybody knows of to get the threads out w/o major surgery or should I just plug it and live w/o an oil pressure guage?

 

Well, you have to get the threads out if you are going to plug it or not.

Try an easy out. What ever you do, don't break the easy out off.

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

R.I.P. #3
My favorite quote about D.E. "He can see air"

 

ouch. I know it's really hard to manuver tools back there. I broke mine once putting an engine in, but I had it easier because the engine wasn't bolted in, and the thing broke at the elbow and I could wrench it out. I ordered a new one and postponed the installation a couple days.

I can't imagine any way you'd get that out if the engine is in the car, and it would really bother me to drive without an oil guage...

 

Smoove, I had the same problem. Fortunately it isn't that difficult. What you need to do is maybe remove the hood in order to get to it easier. You can get a small screw extracter from your local parts store (take a piece of the oil pressure switch to get the right size).The extracter is reversed threaded, so once you put into the hole of the broken off shaft, turn the ratchet counter-clockwise. This will cause it to tighten inside the shaft, forcing it to rotate in the same direction and come out. It's really quite simple, the hardest part is getting to it. Good luck.

 

I busted one too while taking my motor out. I was able to jam a flat bladed screwdiver with the right taper down in the hole and back the busted fitting out. Worked like a champ!

BTW, NAPA carries the correct size fitting for a replacement...cost about $1.00