V6 Discussion and questions about the base carbureted or MPFI V6's and the rare SFI Turbo V6.

Stripped Oil Pan Plug

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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 07:38 PM
  #1  
XxXChrisGXxX's Avatar
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From: Connecticut
Car: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro
Engine: 2.8L V6 MPFI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Stripped Oil Pan Plug

The oil plug just turns in place both directions... think i should drill it? i tried vise gripping it and putting outer force on the bolt to remove it didnt work, so should i drill it? i need too get this crap oil out, if i should drill it what bit or technique should i use?

thanks.
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 08:14 PM
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From: ocklawaha FL.
Car: 81z-28,89gta,91z-28 03 1500
Engine: 355,L98vette tpi,327
Transmission: TH350/700R4/700r4/4l80E
Axle/Gears: 3;73/3;27/2;73/3;73
Re: Stripped Oil Pan Plug

Dude,I totally just the same exact problem with one of my cars(91v6 bird)
That plug will come out without drilling.
On mine,I kept getting under the lip of the plug where the seal is with a flathead screwdriver,tapping it lightly with a hammer to get it wedged in there good,then pulled on the screwdriver and turned the 15mm. nut at the same time.It kept slipping off,and took several tries before finally getting it to cooperate.After I finally got it out,I wasn't to crazy about the idea of tapping the hole,and take a chance of dropping metal fragments into the oilpan,so I just picked up a universal cheapo plug kit from the local autozone.
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 08:29 PM
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XxXChrisGXxX's Avatar
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From: Connecticut
Car: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro
Engine: 2.8L V6 MPFI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Stripped Oil Pan Plug

the seal on mine isnt there, i wish i could pry a flathead in there.
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 08:29 PM
  #4  
82 Iron Duke's Avatar
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Car: 04 Silverado
Engine: 4.8
Transmission: auto
Re: Stripped Oil Pan Plug

I heard a stick of TNT works pretty good at taking out old bolts
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 08:33 PM
  #5  
XxXChrisGXxX's Avatar
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From: Connecticut
Car: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro
Engine: 2.8L V6 MPFI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Stripped Oil Pan Plug

wish it was that easy.
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 09:27 PM
  #6  
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From: Western PA
Car: 91 Camaro
Engine: 3.1/3100 in progress...Turbo Soon
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Stripped Oil Pan Plug

Well if you drill it out you should probably remove the oil pan to clean out all the metal shavings. You will need to drill out the bolt and than tap the hole, which will make lots of little shavings.

So it spins, in both directions, but the oil doesent leak out?
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 10:00 PM
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XxXChrisGXxX's Avatar
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From: Connecticut
Car: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro
Engine: 2.8L V6 MPFI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Stripped Oil Pan Plug

yeah it spins in both directions, theres no seal it's flush against the oil pan and it isnt leaking at all, the previous owner had Midas do the oil change, they also broke a manifold bolt in the head (my next project) and also messed up the spark plug wires (let them hit the hot exuast) i already repaired that by buying new wires and wiring them correctly.

but i need 2 get this bolt out the oil is pitch black, whats the easiest way of dropping the pan? i dont have an engine lift can i jack the oil pan up remove the engine mount through bolts and put chucks of wood under them? and do i have to remove the starter or any other components?

thanks !
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Old Apr 9, 2008 | 07:03 AM
  #8  
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From: Tallahassee, FL
Car: 89 V6 Camaro
Engine: 2.8
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open diff
Re: Stripped Oil Pan Plug

I think that removing the oil pan is as simple as unbolting the mounts and maybe a couple of other small things. You may have to take the dist. cap off so it doesn't hit the firewall. You just have to raise the motor high enough to slip the pan out. Since you don't have an engine lift I have heard of using a 2x4 and jacking the motor up by the harmonic balencer. ForcedFirebird may step in here, he has done it before.
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Old Apr 9, 2008 | 08:30 AM
  #9  
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From: Western PA
Car: 91 Camaro
Engine: 3.1/3100 in progress...Turbo Soon
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Stripped Oil Pan Plug

LINK
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Old Apr 9, 2008 | 11:09 AM
  #10  
XxXChrisGXxX's Avatar
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From: Connecticut
Car: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro
Engine: 2.8L V6 MPFI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Stripped Oil Pan Plug

thanks very useful
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 11:02 AM
  #11  
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Re: Stripped Oil Pan Plug

Are the threads stripped or is the hex head rounded off? I know its kindof a dumb question but sometimes people get the terminology screwed, or they think they stripped a bolt when they actually rounded it off or are using a worn out socket or the wrong size and the head slips in the socket. Just a thought. I would imagine if the threads were stripped to the point the plug wouldnt come out there would be some sort of drip thats why i ask
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 04:44 PM
  #12  
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From: Waterford, MI
Car: 1998 Camaro Z28
Engine: 6.0L
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Stripped Oil Pan Plug

i had this problem last summer. only i got my oil pan plug loose enough that i let it sit for a couple days (had a 2ndary car to drive) and a good amount of oil dripped out. unbolt the motor mounts, dist cap, and exhaust from the manifolds (there may be some other random other parts, depending on your car). put a 2x4 under the crank pulley and jack it up w/ a floor jack about 4-5 inches. unbolt the pan and carefully pull it out, so you dont spill oil all over the place. then you can get the plug out. i had to replace my pan because it was stripped out, and some rust was starting on it. but you can save it if its in good shape and the threads are ok. its not a fun task, but it can be done. make sure to get RTV to seal up around the rear main cap and front cover cracks!!
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 08:40 PM
  #13  
XxXChrisGXxX's Avatar
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From: Connecticut
Car: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro
Engine: 2.8L V6 MPFI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Stripped Oil Pan Plug

i can get my 15mm on it, the bolt head is fine and not stripped at all, i dont even believe the threads are stripped i believe some a-hole at Midas forgot the oil plug seal that belongs on the bolt and since its not in place it turns in either directions, and wont come out, i tried forcing outward pressure with vise girps no-go.

i guess ill just drop the pan and get all that oil on my face and in the pan.

going to do a head set job on the car anyway it's running like pure crap for some reason.
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Old Apr 11, 2008 | 10:01 PM
  #14  
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From: Waterford, MI
Car: 1998 Camaro Z28
Engine: 6.0L
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Stripped Oil Pan Plug

if the plug will turn in either direction and not come out, its stripped out. youre gonna have to pull the pan to get it out. even if the gasket between the plug was missing, it would still tighten up, it would just leak still.
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