The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Leaking Oil Pan Plug

I have a 55 first series 3100 Pickup with the 235 engine. This might sound like a stupid question, but I cannot get the oil pan plug to stop leaking. I have tried different types of washers, (aluminum, copper, nylon,etc.) I don't want to keep tightening it to the point of stripping the threads. Where the oil plug is situated there is a concave indentation, which almost looks like a dent. It is located on the back edge of the pan. I have seen others like this. Not a better idea from the engineers at GM. Any suggestions?? Also, I am relatively new at this. Under the post options, it asks for UBBCode only, HTML is enabled, and UBBCode is enabled. Which one should I be using? Thank you.

That "mating" surface should be flat (preferably with no grooves).
(Over)tightening will not help.

Maybe someone will post advice on how to repair/flatten that surface?
My guess is that we would have to see the nature and extent of the distortion/damage.

As far as: UBBCode only, HTML is enabled, and UBBCode
That is OK for most posts.

Short of doing a proper repair, try putting some silicon sealer around the base of the drain plug. Might be advisable to wait to add the oil but I did this for years on a Ford diesel truck and didn't wait. Always sealed perfectly and was easy to clean off at every oil change.

Sealers won't help. Try removing the plug and carefully draw-filing the area where the washer seats. It must be flat and square with the thread in order to get a good seal.
Jerry

This is the one I used. Might do the trick for you.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-14090908/overview/

Nice, Dragsix

Truth be told, I totally stumbled upon that washer a couple of years ago when I was struggling with the same issue myself. Has worked pretty good for the last three years. I credit that one to the blind chicken finding a piece of corn.

The first time I changed my oil, there was no washer on the plug. I decided I wanted one and the local FLAPS had a generic that fit and looks alot like the one in dragsix’s post. I have no problems with it leaking, but it did not leak before without one either.

Lee.

One can also drain oil, clean threads and seat of plug, put the plug back in with teflon tape and epoxy, and forever after suck it out the top with a boat oil change setup. I had to do that because dealers used impact wrench too many times on Al plug and threads. Also saved laying in the ice to change to oil.

Ed