ELIMN8R

I am pretty sure that I have screwed up bad. Using some info I found on the Internet, I tried the Wet Toilet Paper and Greese tricks to try and get the pilot bearing out, however, I had no luck so I purchased a Pilot Bearing puller and finally got the bearing out. After removing the Greese and damn TP, I noticed a piece of metal (I am assuming a Plug) that was wedged in sideways. I used a pair of plyers and pulled on it, well -- it moved alright; It dropped into the oil pan I think. Was this a plug? Can the oil pan be dropped enough to get this out without having to go through a huge amount of work? If this was a plug, what is it actually called? Any help would be appreciated.

Dustin Butts

iTrader: (5)

Loosen all your oil pan bolts and lower it enough to fish a magnet down in there. It's an oil plug. It holds the oil in the crank. I uppose you can get a new one from GM or match it up at a machine shop. I've personally never performed this operation.

Ferocity02

iTrader: (60)

thats why you dont use the TP/Grease method.

Krab

iTrader: (28)

Exactly.

I'm pretty sure you can fish it out though. If you drop the oil pan low enough, you can get a pen magnet in there and might be able to get it. Wouldn't know how to get the plug back in it's place though.

calhoon

iTrader: (6)

It should be a standard welsh plug and you can install a new one. It plugs the rear of the crank oil gally and must be there.Fish the old one out to size for the new one. Don't try to re-use the old one.

ELIMN8R

Calhoon, Any idea's on how to correctly install a new plug? I found out that this is the rear oil gallery plug - GM Part Number: 12558340. I plan to fish out the old one tonight, but have no clue of how to install the new one. I am assuming that it is installed through the back of the engine behind the pilot bearing? Any thoughts our suggestions on installing it?

calhoon

iTrader: (6)

I have not installed one of these. Welch plugs are a simple drive-in install. You will want is straight and secure but I don't think its a big deal to install.

ELIMN8R

Thank you all for your help. I have never heard the term Welch Plug before. I have always called them Freeze Plugs. I also heard that sometimes they are called Soft Plugs. Any way - I got the plug out of the oil pan tonight and plan on putting a new plug in tomorrow, If I can find one locally.

Thanks again.

DanSS98

Freeze plugs/soft plugs are entirely different and serve a different purpose. A Welch plug is a taperd plug with another plug inside Designed to expand the outter sleeve for a tight fit so it will hold pressure. Frost plugs are the opposite,they're designed to pop when under too much pressure.

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

GM Part Number: 12558340 is the plastic plug with the o-ring in the back of the block. The crankshaft plug is GM part Number 24502262. It's description is: Plug, Expansion Plug Cup Shape 1" Steel (CR/SHF HOLE) (0.293)

MICAH HERRON

iTrader: (3)

So, which part # is it?

I am pretty sure I am going to have to do more to get mine out of my oil pan...I am in a ZO6 and the setup on the pan is different. Not cool!

jmd

iTrader: (4)

Isn't the 03 Z06 still a 2 piece pan w/ the easily removable lower panel? Don't rub it in on those without that feature.

Hugger Z

iTrader: (4)

I had to replace my plug a few years ago. For some reason it started leaking all over the new clutch I had put in. Pulled the old one out and pressed the new one in with a large plastic punch. We sealed it with some sealant. Not had any issues since. Also had to clean the clutch surface with brake cleaner. Thankfully that took the oil out and didn't have any issues with it.