dip stick plug for late model 5.0

[JamesWnew]

Originally Posted by LastDeadLast

I used a wooden dowel as well. It'll swell up and never leak.

-Shannon

Same here... did the wooden dowel 4 years ago and never a leak

[JohnnyK]

I drilled and tapped for a socket head plug.

[6t6red]

I also used a wooden dowel. No leaks here.

[GypsyR]

The last one I did I found one of those little steel rods that go on the drum brake wheel cylinders laying around. Tapered on one end and just about the right size. After checking the fit, I put some red LocTite on it and beat it into the block with a hammer. With care, you could potentially crack the cast iron this way. After letting it set up I ground the protruding end down flush. After painting the block it's invisible and I have no doubt is absolutely permanent.

[greenmacheen]

is it a 3/8 dowel?

[MustangChuck]

Originally Posted by 50 Proof

Anyone happen to know what size brass plug to use?

3/8" freeze plug, NAPA p/n 3812185. Cost is about $0.75 each. They are not usually stocked, so it takes a day or two to arrive.

A little silicone sealant on it before tapping it in is a good idea.

Chuck

[j persons]

I used the 1/8" NPT tap method. The hole is actually a little large for a 1/8" tap, and the Allen plug will seat a little deep, but that won't hurt anything. Sealed the plug using Permatex #2. Locktite can loosen when heated, but Permatex is in there almost forever.

[bartl]

If you use a tap, just pack the flutes between the cutting teeth with vaseline to catch the shavings and clean often.

[merfsiu]

I tapped mine and used an oil gallery screw in plug. Block was bare at the time.

[Lucky66]

i used the Napa plug

[JamesWnew]

Originally Posted by LastDeadLast

I used a wooden dowel as well. It'll swell up and never leak.

-Shannon

same here... worked fine for the last 7 years

[68_Jcode]

I used a tapered cork with some silicone, tapped it in and no leaks.

[tx65coupe]

I tapped mine and put a threaded plug in it.

The wooden dowl does usually work fairly well.

The RTV doesn't usually last.

I bet the little freeze plug does work rather well.

[fordguy]

Originally Posted by JohnnyK

I drilled and tapped for a socket head plug.

that's what i did also

[GypsyR]

"Absolutely permanent" became unpermanent. I eneded up needing that 5.0 to go back into an EFI application. To remove the plug I used I pulled the pan (had to swap it anyway), heated the plug with a propane torch and knocked it out from the backside with a hammer and punch. Sure am glad I didn't tap the hole for threads or I don't know how I would have gotten the stock EFI style dipstick to seal correctly. Big gob of silicone or something similarly crappy.