Is this the Drain plug

[Nigel W]

I removed the near side block drain plug today, which was as I had expected. But the off side one appears different. It is more like a bolt. Is this it or something else? I did try and gently remove it and it was solid, so I would like to be sure before I get serious with it.

[Andrew S]

Yes, you should have one on each side of the block if I remember

[Nigel W]

Yes I have already removed the other one, but it was a completely different design. It was as expected with a washer, not like this one on the off side which sticks out like a bolt and is horizontal. It also looks like it may never have been removed, unlike the other side. Just though it was very strange to be a different design from one side to the other.

[Stagdad]

Looks like that has been bodged in there

[Nigel W]

Oh dear, not the best place to get to if I have to remove it and sort the thread out.

[Davenott]

This is what it looks like on my engine;
Dave

image.jpg

[Nigel W]

Interesting. The hexagonal bit is presumably what screws into the block, but what is the smaller part sticking out? The one I took out from the other side is a plug as per the Rimmers Catalogue for a late engine (76).

[Davenott]

Interesting. The hexagonal bit is presumably what screws into the block, but what is the smaller part sticking out? The one I took out from the other side is a plug as per the Rimmers Catalogue for a late engine (76).

Smaller part is a bolt in my engine too!
Dave

[Nigel W]

Well I think I shall just have to put some penetrating oil on it and hope that the bolt was used because they lost/damaged the original plug, and that the block is OK. Thanks for all the info.

[dasadrew]

Interesting. The hexagonal bit is presumably what screws into the block, but what is the smaller part sticking out? The one I took out from the other side is a plug as per the Rimmers Catalogue for a late engine (76).

There were drain plugs and drain taps. The bolt-in-a-bolt looks like the original was a drain tap and the wings of the tap broke off, so a bolt was used to replace the original tap, using the original threaded drain tap housing.

Drew

[Nigel W]

Thanks Drew

[Bob Heritage]

Drew beat to that one, I agree it probably originated as a drain tap, this was only on Mk1 engines. I believe the complete assembly can be removed and replaced with a plug.

[Nigel W]

I have now removed the long bolt used as a drain plug, and the threads, both male and female look OK. However, when I went to the Rimmers catalogue it only shows the near side plug and the rear one (both are 129077) there is no mention of the off side plug. I rang them and they looked in the factory manual and confirmed that it only showed the nearside and the rear. Does anybody have any ideas whats going on? Its a late Mk2. Should I put the long bolt back in or order a drain plug and if so do you use the fire washer, or is that just for the earlier taps? confused of Hereforddrain plugs.JPG

[Mark Shutt]

I've had both mine out on a late MK2 and they are identical with a fibre washer and also made of brass.

[Nigel W]

Thanks Mark. Thats what I needed to know. I do wonder why the only list the one though in the manuals.