1931 Slant Windshield Fordor Oil Drain Plug Gasket

[shew01]

I drained the oil for the first time today for this car, and I ran across a drain plug and gasket that I didn’t expect. The drain plug is 1 1/8th inch, and I can’t find a replacement gasket. The one that’s on the drain plug looks to be copper and worn out. I don’t know if it’s a spark plug gasket or not. Any ideas about a replacement?







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[Bigsnapper43]

That is a 28 oil pan. The gasket to use is an old spark plug gasket.

[shew01]

Really? Wow.


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[shew01]

Like these?




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[oldspert]

Originally Posted by Bigsnapper43

That is a 28 oil pan. The gasket to use is an old spark plug gasket.

Do you know what the size and pitch the thread is on this plug? I purchased a plug for a standard oil pan and the plug is too loose, wobbles like a drunk sailor.
Ed

[Y-Blockhead]

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Bratton’s has the correct drain plug gasket for the 1928 drain plug part #9870 and the large ⅞-16 plug part #9840

[shew01]

Originally Posted by oldspert

Do you know what the size and pitch the thread is on this plug? I purchased a plug for a standard oil pan and the plug is too loose, wobbles like a drunk sailor.
Ed

It seems snug.


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[shew01]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Bratton’s has the correct drain plug gasket for the 1928 drain plug part #9870 and the large ⅞-16 plug part #9840

That gasket sort of looks like a spark plug gasket.




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[nkaminar]

In another thread someone mentioned making gaskets out of old oil bottles. You can make a punch by sharpening a socket wrench with a grinder. Just be careful when using it on bolts and nuts.

But the copper gasket is probably a better idea.

[Jim/GA]

Although it is not correct on your '31 S/W Sedan, I really like that '28 oil pan design with the clean out plate. You can remove the plate and drop the oil pump any time you want, to clean out sludge in the oil pan and on the screen of the oil pump, without having to drop the oil pan.

The biggest downside to this oil pan is that the small bolts around the perimeter of the plate make it difficult to get a wrench on the drain plug. A large socket works great, though.

.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by Jim/GA

Although it is not correct on your '31 S/W Sedan, I really like that '28 oil pan design with the clean out plate. You can remove the plate and drop the oil pump any time you want, to clean out sludge in the oil pan and on the screen of the oil pump, without having to drop the oil pan.

The biggest downside to this oil pan is that the small bolts around the perimeter of the plate make it difficult to get a wrench on the drain plug. A large socket works great, though.

.

Hmmm… That sounds like a good idea. Are there any quirks/tricks to removing and reinstalling the oil pump? Does it just drop out when you unbolt the 6 bolts? Is it likely to hang in anything during reinstallation?


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[J Franklin]

NAPA usually has an assortment of copper pan gaskets.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

NAPA usually has an assortment of copper pan gaskets.

I tried NAPA. They went through a book but could only find a “sloppy” match.


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[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by shew01

Hmmm… That sounds like a good idea. Are there any quirks/tricks to removing and reinstalling the oil pump? Does it just drop out when you unbolt the 6 bolts? Is it likely to hang in anything during reinstallation?


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Yes. Insert the special tool into the side of the block to hold the oil pump up in place while you loosen the bolts under the clean out plate.

Once the plate is off, loosen the pump holder tool and catch the pump when it drops.

When reinstalling, the drive of the pump may not exactly line up with the camshaft drive tab. (Similar to when dropping the distributor in.) To get the drive tab to line up, push up on the oil pump while an assistant slowly cranks the engine with a hand crank. You will feel the pump jump up when the tab aligns. Then lock it in with the special tool while you reinstall the clean-out plate.

[MilwaukeeMike]

There are a few options available for a "tool" to keep the oil pump from dropping out when you remove the clean-out plate. I made one for mine out of some extra bits. Just do not tighten it too much and damage anything.
Bratton's sells one for 6 bucks.

[MilwaukeeMike]

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by shew01

That gasket sort of looks like a spark plug gasket.




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Yes it does but they have different part numbers.

[GPierce]

Originally Posted by shew01

That gasket sort of looks like a spark plug gasket.




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That looks like a cooper crush washer. The cooper is folded over an asbestos ring. Used in aircraft engines oil systems. AN900 crush washers are available in many diameters.

[Bob Bidonde]

A gasket made this way is reusable in contrast to the original copper gasket that is a one-time use item.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

A gasket made this way is reusable in contrast to the original copper gasket that is a one-time use item.

Interesting. How do you get the homemade gaskets round? Just “eyeball” them?


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