Alternate Oil Drain Plug to fix exhaust interference?

grayforge · #1 03-03-2015, 06:55 PM

I have an ECI motor with their cold air sump along with Vetterman's 4 pipe exhaust and am getting interference with the exhaust pipe for cylinder 3 against the right side oil drain plug. I ground down the plug a ways and can get 1/16 clearance, but I don't think that's enough. See photos below.

Clint confirmed my thought that maybe I should go with a flush mount plug. My worry is that I then could not safety wire it. I've been doing a lot of digging and can't find allen socket plugs at Spruce or Wicks. Nor do I see them mentioned on VAF.

Would this be a safe option if using Loctite to secure the plug?

Thanks,
Russ

Plug before:

After, with exhaust in place:

Solution?

Ron RV8 · #2 03-03-2015, 07:15 PM

You can get plugs with a hex top which are shorter. May work...

You might have to drill it yourself.

Check auto supplies...

grayforge · #3 03-03-2015, 09:56 PM

Not sure how much clearance I should have between exhaust and plug. If I went with a shorter head, I could get maybe 1/4" of clearance. And who knows how short the head would be. Depends on how far the NPT threads went in at the proper torque.

Anyone use the allen style oil drain plug?

Vlad · #4 03-04-2015, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grayforge

Anyone use the allen style oil drain plug?

Russ the plug need to be safetied somehow. It's quite massive comparing to other engine ports and locktite is not a good option. In my opinion the type of plug won't work. There are other low profile plugs (for allen wrench) on some European cars where the head could be drilled for a safety wire.

Any chance to change geometry of exhaust hanging somehow?

gasman · #5 03-04-2015, 05:32 AM

Why not just go with a quick drain plug?

F1R · #6 03-04-2015, 06:10 AM

The FM hex plug works very fine. It's all a matter of adequate torq. I use a brass FM hex. No issues. I can't quote the torq.

There is one low profile QD on the market that might work. It wont drain until you thread the second half onto it.

Kahuna · #7 03-04-2015, 06:33 AM

On your engine, the left side plug is way to close to the 4 stack exhaust to make any meaningful method for draining. The drain is right above the stack. You can fit a 90 in there to AN fitting, then put a cap on it. We use these 90 fittings on our Titan engines for the inverted system. But still, you will be dumping on the exhaust making a mess.
On the right side of your sump is a drain fitting that you CAN fit a straight quick drain valve to and your home free. Another alternative is the rear sump fitting. But that once again dumps on the exhaust making a mess.
Here is a shot of one of our motors that should be the same sump as you have. I think. You can see the 90 fitting over the exhaust. Works fine for inverted system, but not good for a drain. The right side drain has plenty of clearance for a drain.

Below is a shot of the right side sump and drain location that you can put a quick drain on.

BillL · #8 03-04-2015, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gasman

Why not just go with a quick drain plug?

Being concerned about the proximity of the exhaust pipe, the temp effect on the quick drain could quickly harden the o-rings unless it was shielded. Wont it hit the pipe?

Kahuna has opened the possibility of a 90 deg fitting with a hose attached for and extended drain point. An oil dongle, but it looks like even a 90 deg will hit the pipe.

Question - there are many NPT plugs around this engine (into oil galleries etc) that are not safety wired, what makes this one special?

flyboy1963 · #9 03-04-2015, 07:27 AM

might try a Fumoto T202N drain valve.
It's a ball valve, stainless insert, all brass, no rubber parts. note: It does require a little room to swing the lever.

http://www.amazon.com/Fumoto-T-202N-.../dp/B003VL573A

other sources; trucker and industrial supply, I think I got mine a few years ago for about $24 cdn.

grayforge · #10 03-04-2015, 09:49 AM

Good responses guys.

My configuration has the #3 exhaust pipe running so close to the drain plug, there's no way a quick drain plug or AN 90 degree fitting would fit. I was thinking an alternative was dimpling the exhaust at the plug like you see on many automotive headers that are near things like the steering rod.

Kahuna, my engine is an ECI IOX-370 parallel valve. Is this what you have?

F1R, what is an FM Hex Plug? Do you have a source/link?

Maybe Clint can make me an extended pipe for the #3 cylinder. I'll have to check if there's clearance from the lower cowling. But an Allen plug would solve this so perfectly if it were safe...

Thanks,
Russ