sump

[Guest]

Hi all, I have managed to damage the thread of the sump plug on my
1982 GSX 400 T. Is it possible to have a helicoil inserted to sort this
problem or is it new sump time? I will pull the sump pan off tonight
to have a good look.

Thanks in advance.

[cowboyup3371]

You can put in a helicoil; check your local parts house. I believe it's a 14mm if I remember correctly but obviously please check it first.

[Mekanix]

A few options for this one.
heli coil is the easiest.
There are some coarse self taping plugs for automotive oil pans as well.

Something I've seen people do is after the problem is fixed, they drill a hole in one corner of the bolt and on one of the fin's and lockwire the bolt so it can't back out but they also don't torque it down that hard anymore.

[Nessism]

Oversize drain bolt with self tapping threads. Simple repair if you can find the right bolt.

[tkent02]

There's another idea I like.

Take the plug out, drill and tap a hole up the center of it. Drill straight. Put a bolt in the hole. This is your new drain plug. Use a crush washer to seal it. You may have to cut a channel in the old plug so the oil all comes out if it goes up into the oil pan too far. Not sure if it does on a 450. Put the old plug in with JB Weld, it ain't coming out. Ever.

You now have steel plug on steel threads, it won't strip out again. It may take a few seconds longer to drain the oil, no big deal.

[83_450E]

M14x1.25 I do believe is the threads on the drain plug. I used a spark plug thread repair kit I had laying around to fix mine.

[Mekanix]

There's another idea I like.

Take the plug out, drill and tap a hole up the center of it. Drill straight. Put a bolt in the hole. This is your new drain plug. Use a crush washer to seal it. You may have to cut a channel in the old plug so the oil all comes out if it goes up into the oil pan too far. Not sure if it does on a 450. Put the old plug in with JB Weld, it ain't coming out. Ever.

You now have steel plug on steel threads, it won't strip out again. It may take a few seconds longer to drain the oil, no big deal.

And you can hold the big bolt with one wrench and get a good grip on the other one without worrying about twisting it off.

Good idea!

the 450 has some room above the oil plug but even a bolt just as long as the original plug would work fine.

[tkent02]

And you can hold the big bolt with one wrench and get a good grip on the other one without worrying about twisting it off.

No need to hold anything, put it in with JB and it isn't going anywhere.

[nino]

Thanks for the advice, got my local mechanic to put an
insert in, sorted, just waiting for the gasket and a new
copper washer.

Cheers

[sharpy]

Thanks for the advice, got my local mechanic to put an
insert in, sorted, just waiting for the gasket and a new
copper washer.

Cheers

Gee for the cost of the mechanic you could have gotten a used sump from the wreckers that was good