Is this the Drain plug

[robbo]

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

Same here. Brass plug each side with a fibre washer. I would replace the bodged plugs you have with the correct item.
Rob.

[Nigel W]

The plot thickens. I went to fit the new Rimmer plugs today (Part No 129077) and they are slightly larger diameter than the items I have removed, 1/2 inc dia thread verses 15/32, and the pitch of the thread appears smaller. Does anybody know what the correct size is for drain plugs? (its a late MR2)

[Guest]

Nigel, is your engine original to your car? Mine is a late 76 and has a brass (?) drain plug each side which are the same thread, I don't know the size but look like 1/4 BSP?

Jason

[Nigel W]

Yes I think it is. When I rang Rimmers they were confused. They said that they had sold some 80 items without problem, but did find that they had 2 similar items in the parts bin. A silver finish which appeared to be a slightly larger diameter to a gold finished item. Both were offered up to a block, but needed the force of a spanner, which they did not try. Are you going to Stags and Steam tomorrow Jason?

[Nigel W]

Jason, further to my last, I have just managed to find and read the engine number, and to my surprise it has been changed, but for and even later unit than the one listed for my Aug 76 car. I know that the car had 2 owners in the 1st 18 months, so I think it probably had a new engine at that time. It in the LF44***HE range.

[jleyton]

I found the threads of the earlier drain taps and the later brass drain plugs fractionally different.

I guess Rimmers' 'gold finish' item is a brass plug - which one did they supply to you ?

Cheers

Julian

[Nigel W]

They supplied the silver item, but he thought that they were both a surface finish, not actually brass. They are sending me the other ones so that I can compare. To be honest I may just get a couple of bolts from my local engineering supply shop and cut them down, using the ones I took out as templates for the thread. Bearing in mind that the ones that came out are a slightly smaller dia than the ones supplied, it does not suggest that my engine has been altered.

[Guest]

Yes I think it is. When I rang Rimmers they were confused. They said that they had sold some 80 items without problem, but did find that they had 2 similar items in the parts bin. A silver finish which appeared to be a slightly larger diameter to a gold finished item. Both were offered up to a block, but needed the force of a spanner, which they did not try. Are you going to Stags and Steam tomorrow Jason?

What at is steam and stags? I'll not be able to make it, I'll be on my way home from Sharme el Sheihk!

plus, my Stag is being re sprayed at the moment.

Jason

[Nigel W]

It a small local event of the Worcester Natter. I have not been before but I believe a member has a steam railway in a field just North of Worcs and does a bit of a charity get together. Its listed in the March Mag diary for Worcestershire.

[Guest]

That'll be Steve (stagsongas) I haven't been to a club night for a long time, too busy working!

Jason

[Nigel W]

I thought I should post a bit of an update. It turns out that the bolts that were used for drain plugs were a slightly smaller diameter as the the drain hole are slightly conical towards the inner end, and the bolts were just catching. Although very awkward, I have now used a 1/4 BSP tap in situ to clean the old threads and have fitted the correct plugs as supplied by Rimmers. I have tightened them to a fair degree and the threads appear to be good, although I have not leak tested yet as I am still doing other work, but to tap them in situ was very difficult indeed. The alternative of course would be engine out, so I may have got away with it. (Hopefully)