The Ford Barn

30coupeguy · 04-23-2015, 01:59 PM

The drain plug on my 30 coupe leaks oil. I tried a search but no joy. The threads look ok and the plug seems tight, and I do not think it is coming down the torque tube. Seems to me I had read that thread tape is not that good and wonder what methods might work.
Thanks for your ideas.
Burt

oldbike99 · 04-23-2015, 02:03 PM

One shouldn't need it on tapered pipe thread, but Teflon sealer, paste or tape, will be fine for this application

John Kuhnast · 04-23-2015, 02:11 PM

Look very well. Clean it good Look at the bolts around the two housings and around the drive shaft. If its one of these clean it past it up and reinstall.

CarlG · 04-23-2015, 04:46 PM

Just tightening all the bolts around the circle (to about 35#) stopped mine from leaking.

Larry Seemann · 04-23-2015, 05:49 PM

I had the same problem. Went to the hardware store and bought a new plug. Problem solved!

w.michael · 04-23-2015, 07:47 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Indian Head Shellac should work. I used it on all the differential bolts (remove and replace one at a time) and it NEARLY stopped the leak.

W. Michael

Dave Mellor NJ · 04-23-2015, 11:45 PM

If you use pipe dope make sure it's good for petroleum products. A lot of dope is made for water.

larrys40 · 04-24-2015, 08:00 AM

Leakage needs to be traced to pinpoint if origin . If its really the plug a little permatex number 2 on the plug before insertion wit the plug and hole clean will do the job. You could have leakage from the torque tube or housing mating joints . Snug all bolts . You could drain and remove the Lowe bolts 1 or two at a time and use a little bit of rtv or permatex 2 on the bolt threads , same with torque tube . If its a 28 housing I have seen a number if them leak from pinholes where the two pieces were welded .

Best of luck
Larry Shepard

SeaSlugs · 04-25-2015, 01:57 PM

remember the thing about tapered pipe plugs: only tighten them enough to stop leaking and wont vibrate out.

All too often people like to crank on them as if thier holding back the hoover dam. The tapered nature of a plug and over-tightening can easily crack housings and cause hairline leaks. Id recommend taking a wire brush/wheel and cleaning around the hole to bare metal to see if you can see where its seeping from if its cracked.

04-23-2015, 01:59 PM	#1
30coupeguy Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Cashmere,WA Posts: 59	differential drain plug leak The drain plug on my 30 coupe leaks oil. I tried a search but no joy. The threads look ok and the plug seems tight, and I do not think it is coming down the torque tube. Seems to me I had read that thread tape is not that good and wonder what methods might work. Thanks for your ideas. Burt

04-23-2015, 02:03 PM	#2
oldbike99 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 194	Re: differential drain plug leak One shouldn't need it on tapered pipe thread, but Teflon sealer, paste or tape, will be fine for this application

04-23-2015, 02:11 PM	#3
John Kuhnast Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 564	Re: differential drain plug leak Look very well. Clean it good Look at the bolts around the two housings and around the drive shaft. If its one of these clean it past it up and reinstall.

04-23-2015, 04:46 PM	#4
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: differential drain plug leak Just tightening all the bolts around the circle (to about 35#) stopped mine from leaking. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

04-23-2015, 05:49 PM	#5
Larry Seemann Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Spokane, WA. Posts: 496	Re: differential drain plug leak I had the same problem. Went to the hardware store and bought a new plug. Problem solved! __________________ Larry Seemann

04-23-2015, 07:47 PM	#6
w.michael Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 418	Re: differential drain plug leak Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Indian Head Shellac should work. I used it on all the differential bolts (remove and replace one at a time) and it NEARLY stopped the leak. W. Michael

04-23-2015, 11:45 PM	#7
Dave Mellor NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 780	Re: differential drain plug leak If you use pipe dope make sure it's good for petroleum products. A lot of dope is made for water.

04-24-2015, 08:00 AM	#8
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: differential drain plug leak Leakage needs to be traced to pinpoint if origin . If its really the plug a little permatex number 2 on the plug before insertion wit the plug and hole clean will do the job. You could have leakage from the torque tube or housing mating joints . Snug all bolts . You could drain and remove the Lowe bolts 1 or two at a time and use a little bit of rtv or permatex 2 on the bolt threads , same with torque tube . If its a 28 housing I have seen a number if them leak from pinholes where the two pieces were welded . Best of luck Larry Shepard

04-25-2015, 01:57 PM	#9
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: differential drain plug leak remember the thing about tapered pipe plugs: only tighten them enough to stop leaking and wont vibrate out. All too often people like to crank on them as if thier holding back the hoover dam. The tapered nature of a plug and over-tightening can easily crack housings and cause hairline leaks. Id recommend taking a wire brush/wheel and cleaning around the hole to bare metal to see if you can see where its seeping from if its cracked. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!