Winter Porting Project Done!

[VetteVet]

Originally Posted by gbmidyear66

- Now I am fighting a "simple job" of changing the oil. Taking the easy way out allways catches up with me..... I went to "Mr Lube" last year and had them change my oil. Well the drain plug is now damaged and WAY overtight. No luck with a bolt extractor, no luck with vice grips. I'm now letting it sit with penetrating oil on it. If that doesn't help - what I am left with? - drilling it out?

Sounds like they may have galled the threads. I can't imagine that they tightened the plug so much that it won't come out with a good pair of vice grips. If the threads are galled, your only option at this point may be drilling it out to a diameter very close to the ID of the threads and then using a quality, spiral type extractor to remove it. If the threads are galled, you will have to install a heli-coil or other type of threaded insert. You should be OK if done correctly, as the sealing point is the flanged surface on the bottom of the pan. If I were close to you, I would come over and do it for you. I do stuff like this on aluminum all of the time in my line of work. If you're not familiar with this kind of work, it's best left to a professional. If things go south, you'll probably have to pull the oil pan to have it repaired.

Jep