What now?

[WVZR-1]

Originally Posted by Funracer

Done!

Lastly, went to 5 places today (AutoZone, Home Depot, O'Reillys, West Marine and Ace). When I said "Dorman plug 555-108" I got nuthin'.

NAPA tomorrow.

Update then.

Sometimes it's just easier to ask for what you want rather than suggest part numbers. You're looking for a 5/8 cup type expansion plug. The Dorman number isn't a direct cross in the NAPA interchange either. If there's a choice in steel or brass, steel will do for you. If they've only brass that's fine also. I believe there should be a couple Carquest facilities also in your area. It's difficult to place AutoZone and OReilleys in the "auto parts" category!

If there's an engine rebuilding service in town then that's also a more likely place to check.

[-=Jeff=-]

Rockauto has them for $0.25 ea

[WVZR-1]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Rockauto has them for $0.25 ea

I don't understand the "fascination" of the Internet parts sourcing. Aside from taking the revenue from your local community that could include "friends, neighbors, your kids activities families and whatever" there's the what will I receive thought. There's a post presently on the CF where the OP is whining about his time spent regarding the receipt of a incorrect part and his taking the time to actually do the install before noticing the difference.

Regarding the plugs and this comment from Pete:

Originally Posted by Pete

After you pull the shafts out you will see the seal inside leave it in go to your local parts store buy 8 freeze plugs Dorman part # 555-108 use some RTV. Done.

Pete

The part numbered plug is 5/8 and he mentions using RTV. I don't doubt any of that but what's the reason for the RTV? The fact that the 5/8 plug is 15.875mm would maybe a 16mm plug be a better fit? Don't know, never been there but might one day be there. Thought I'd ask.

[-=Jeff=-]

no fascination for internet parts sourcing here, but if you come up out of luck locally that is your next option.

What happened to walking into a parts store and asking for a specific part? I went into a local Napa, looking for a longer wheel stud, told them Knurl and length and threading,
They Said:
What year/model?

I said, I don't know, I have the specs

They said, you have a part number?

I said, I don't have a part #

They said, no part number or make/model, we can't help you

[Pete]

Originally Posted by WVZR-1

Regarding the plugs and this comment from Pete:



The part numbered plug is 5/8 and he mentions using RTV. I don't doubt any of that but what's the reason for the RTV? The fact that the 5/8 plug is 15.875mm would maybe a 16mm plug be a better fit? Don't know, never been there but might one day be there. Thought I'd ask.

Your probably right,reason for using standard plug could not find metric plugs locally they had to order i didn't wanna wait and went with standard plug.
The use of RTV hate for someone do all that work to have a vacuum leak and then try to figure out which plug is leaking.

Pete

[Funracer]

O'Reillys yesterday:

Whats your model year and car?

That won't help. I am looking for a non-stock part.
Dorman plug 555-108.

He looks it up. Nuthin'.

They look like a small freeze plug. Do you know what a
freeze plug is?

Honestly, no.

Sigh. At least he was honest.

[Funracer]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

FLPENSACOLA2601 North Pace Boulevard(850) 432-330837

O Reillys in Pensacola have them, although its a drive...your local should be able to get them in 1 day

Thanks you my friend! I was in Pensacola all day Tuesday. Its 60 miles
each way. If I do not get these locally today I will probably order them
and do everything when I get back first week of May.

Autozone, et. al. list this item in there national inventory but I
was hoping to walk in and grab and go. In retrospect I should have begun my search earlier.

Later

[Funracer]

Originally Posted by WVZR-1

Sometimes it's just easier to ask for what you want rather than suggest part numbers. You're looking for a 5/8 cup type expansion plug. The Dorman number isn't a direct cross in the NAPA interchange either. If there's a choice in steel or brass, steel will do for you. If they've only brass that's fine also. I believe there should be a couple Carquest facilities also in your area. It's difficult to place AutoZone and OReilleys in the "auto parts" category!

If there's an engine rebuilding service in town then that's also a more likely place to check.

Thanks for the extra info. Always a good thing. I'm on it today.

[WVZR-1]

Originally Posted by Pete

Your probably right,reason for using standard plug could not find metric plugs locally they had to order i didn't wanna wait and went with standard plug.
The use of RTV hate for someone do all that work to have a vacuum leak and then try to figure out which plug is leaking.

Pete

I was only interested in knowing that if the RTV was intentionally used as a "compensating" compound for maybe the tolerances there. A cup expansion plug is done with a taper to accomplish a secure fit and generally wouldn't require a chemical package. I've seen some use Permatex and I guess RTV is an equivalent for the operation you mention. Just curios!!!

I was always told cup expansion plugs were installed "dry" and not installed using anything other than an installation tool or a socket that is a good fit to the inner diameter of the cup. Never the edges! You of course aren't doing oil or coolant!!

[Funracer]

Found the plugs at Carquest for $1 each. That is the good news.

The bad news is they were a bi-atch to put in. The problem is the
lack of access because the heads are still attached to the block. If
heads are pulled banging these in with a hammer and drift would be a snap.
The butterfly rod cavities are angled slightly downward when the heads in place. There is no way to get a square hit on the plug. Pulling the heads is a no go for me, so had to go to plan "B". Be forewarned, the following picture may give the Z purist heartburn:

I bought a 1 inch C clamp at Ace Hardware for $2and wrapped the end in electric tape. It fit perfectly over the intake wall and into the Dorman expansion plug. I thought I was home free. I screwed that thing as tight as I dared and it would NOT push that plug into the cavity. Then, forgive
me, I resorted to the mechanics last resort-vise grips. Again no luck.

After several hours of messing with this (yes I tried hammer and wood block, drift, screw driver and socket head) I began to contemplate another
option, like filling the hole with RTV or JB weld or plastic bolt and nut, etc.

Then, since I could not get them in anyway, went to plan "C":

I re-beveled the rounded edge of the expansion plugs and made them
just a bit smaller and took just a bit off the skirt as well:


Voila!

Pushed that thing in finally! Here are 3 of the 4 PS done. I gave up
at 8 PM tonight and the other side will have to wait:


This was really an unexpected PITA. If you want to pull secondaries with
the heads in place I would give serious consideration to stopping at this point:

Other obligations backing up so it will be a few days before I get back to it.

Later