Oilway plugs

[Jono]

I purchased new oilway plugs from Minispares as I am going to pull out the old ones and give the galleries a right good seeing to before I build my engine.

Just spotted there's also a small one below the relief valve boss (not in the Minispares kit) - should this also be pulled and replaced?

Jon

[carbon]

Jon,

When you put the new oilway plugs in I would suggest using something like loctite, in particular on the plug nearest the flywheel, to prevent them coming out. Timing chain end not so important, as the timing cover backplate sits partly over it.

Reason for this is the 'pressed brass' oilway plugs are not such a tight fit as the original solid brass plugs, and I have had experience with one of these popping out. But to be fair this was as a result of using the 'ball bearing' pressure relief valve and spring and the pressure was probably something in excess of 120psi when it popped out. When I replaced it I put a retaining washer to prevent it coming out again, and also went back to using the 'thimble' oil relief plunger.

I don't think the 1/4 inch brass plugs are 'mission critical', I have never bothered taking these out.

[Spider]

The plug below the Oil Relief Valve is part of the Back-pressure Relief Circuit of the Valve itself.

It's on the un-filtered part of the Oil Circuit, and it's reasonably easy to clean with the plug in. I don't usually pull that particular one.

If you do pull it thought, be 100% sure that the new plug does not block off any part of the Oil Way behind (and it's not too far in), other wise, you'll probably blow your Oil Filter to kingdom-come.

[Jono]

Thanks for the tops tips guys.

Carbon - yes I was worried about that as the pressed plugs do look a bit hit and miss. I was going to stake them but your Loctite suggestion sounds like a good one.

Cheers

Jon

[atm92484]

Any reason not to tap the holes and used threaded blanking plugs?

[Spider]

Any reason not to tap the holes and used threaded blanking plugs?

That's how I do them.