Date:         Thu, 11 Jul 2013 18:41:17 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: Oil plug
Comments: To: mcneely4@cox.net
In-Reply-To:  <20130711211121.LDO7U.129043.imail@eastrmwml207>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

perhaps. I'm not saying the stock plug is "too short" but if you use your imagination you could come to that conclusion - ie the stock plug does not use all of the available threads in the case. One could suppose that if the stock plug was longer then the stress per thread would be reduced.

The fact remains that it is a dumb design. Having steel plug in aluminum threads is asking for trouble on a part that is routinely screwed out and in. In my other life, I put in various types of stainless steel threaded inserts into aluminum (and it is mostly 6061 alloy which I think is a bit harder than the engine case) where a stainless bolt is to be used to attach a removable assembly. 

alistair


On 2013-07-11, at 6:11 PM, <mcneely4@cox.net> <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:

> I understand that the threads in the hole might strip.  But the post said the plug is too short.  It works.  If a longer plug were used, and the threads stripped, then a new longer plug would not help.  If the threads strip with the original plug, perhaps a longer plug would help.  So, it seems like the "too short" original plug might actually be an advantage.  mcneely
> 
> ---- Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA> wrote: 
>> if you have followed this thread you *might* have picked up the issue of the threads stripping in the case. When it happens to you, and chances are good it will, you have the option of installing a threaded insert (Nut-sert or even Helicoil) or using a longer drain plug. The longer plug will thread into the remaining undamaged threads in the case - the threads that the shorter stock plug did not reach.
>> 
>> Now the fact that you have not had any problems with your drain plug/hole does not alter the fact that many have had issues. In some cases it was chronic careless over tightening of the drain plug, in other cases it was a matter of the softer aluminum threads in finally giving up.
>> 
>> alistair
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 2013-07-11, at 3:58 PM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
>> 
>>>>> 
>>> 
>>> how is it that the original plug is too short?  too short for what? the one on my 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Campmobile original waterboxer works fine, no problems with it.  It fits, the oil does not leak.  mcneely
> 
> --
> David McNeely