Eightupman

Just a question... I am having a hard time locating .030 drill bits... well at this point Dremel bits that are worth a damn to drill holes in these generic oil galley plugs in the block... The dremel ones dull in 2 seconds and there isn't any place local that seems to carry them or have a clue that they exist..

Has anyone ever drilled them at 1/16" or .0625 with any good or bad results???

Or do I need to resort to the interwebs to locate/order some?

John

MDchanic

An "N" bit is 0.3020".

"M" is 0.2950" and "O" is 0.3160".

5/16" is 0.3125".

7.5mm is 0.2953".

One of these shouldn't be too hard to find.

- Eric

krooser

Those plugs may be hardened... heat them cherry red and allow them to cool by themselves... should make 'em easier to drill.

Eightupman

Correct, also much bigger than I am looking for. my decimal is one place to the left...

John

Ozzie

0.030" is near 3/4 mm.
A #69 drill is about 0.0292" and a #68 drill is about 0.031"
If you have a Harbor Freight Tools store nearby (or are willing to use their mail order), they have a mini drill set available (so you don't have to buy an entire set of number drills). It has five 0.8mm drills in it. They are about 0.031".
http://www.harborfreight.com/30-piece-hss-mini-drill-set-94606.html
This is a Chinese product, and may require some patience to be successful, but if you follow the "hardness" advice given, they may work.
Other possibilities might be a local machine shop that you are "friends" with, or an on-line purchase.

MDchanic

A good argument against rushing.

Duh.

- Eric

FIRST 442

If you want to mail them to me I would be happy to drill them for you.
I have a fixture for my lathe that work's nice.
I have drilled .040 holes with good results in stainless plugs.

Eightupman

Thanks guys, I've got some carbide bits on the way...but I'm still going to follow the heating advice above. I also had a "duh" moment and will canibalize them from another block that won't see action for a while. ;-)

Watch with my luck the distributor side one won't be drilled...

John

442Harv

You can also try drilling it part way through with a larger bit, and then finish the last bit with the smaller bit,might be easier, less material?

CRUZN 66

I would think a 1/32 (.03125) drill bit will do the job........ (.00125) should have minimal (if any) effect on function.........

MX442

The hole in the distributor galley plug is .040". You can get the bits at a model/hobby store such as Hobby Town. Use a pin vise and chuck it in your drill press. Start the hole with a larger bit will make it easier. Go slow. Good luck.

RAMBOW

I'm lazy- i just called mondello and the plug was here a couple days later.

My time running around town trying to find a drill bit- then hoping i don't break it drilling the hole (which i would have)... Not worth the price of the pre-drilled plug.

Octania

How about save a ton of aggravation and buy a factory holey plug from one of us hoarders?

Wham, bham, thank you mham.

joe_padavano

The other way to avoid aggravation is to order drill bits from McMaster Carr.

matt69olds

I'm sure I have a few if your interested. PM me with your address and Ill send one your way.

Eightupman

And the third way is to call my buddy with a rotten 307 block, get a 5/16" piece of square keystock and remove a pre drilled one

Thanks guys!

John