Who does what on the 455
#1
Who does what on the 455
Ready to send 455 block to the machine shop for boilout and cleaning. Looks like ths screw in plugs are a bear to take out. The large pair on the front of the block could make for a lot of work, but they need to come out, right? Should I do this removal myself or will it come with the block clean out? How to remove the oil fill pipe? She is in there real tight, removal without damage is the .priority. Fire away with any recommendations and cautions. Thank you all.
Last edited by REO442; October 15th, 2021 at 11:19 AM.
#2
The plugs in the front should come out pretty easy with an impact. Most of the time they with a ratchet and socket. I would let the machine shop get them out.
The oil fill tube can be a pain. You have to smack it back and forth with a rubber hammer and pull up on it at the same time it will come loose eventually. New ones are available if needed so don't stress over it.
Make sure your machine shop saves all of the old plugs. The two in the front are Olds specific and hard to find. They do not come in the freeze plug kits. There is also one in the back that is behind a little pressed in plug. That one has a hole in it for distributor oiling. If the machine shop puts the plugs back in for you make sure they put the right ones in the right place.
Personally I would tell them to leave the plugs out and do a final cleaning yourself when you get it back. Then put the plugs in yourself.
The oil fill tube can be a pain. You have to smack it back and forth with a rubber hammer and pull up on it at the same time it will come loose eventually. New ones are available if needed so don't stress over it.
Make sure your machine shop saves all of the old plugs. The two in the front are Olds specific and hard to find. They do not come in the freeze plug kits. There is also one in the back that is behind a little pressed in plug. That one has a hole in it for distributor oiling. If the machine shop puts the plugs back in for you make sure they put the right ones in the right place.
Personally I would tell them to leave the plugs out and do a final cleaning yourself when you get it back. Then put the plugs in yourself.
#3
X2 what bill said on the plugs
to remove the oil fill i wrap a tie down or similar strap around the fill tube and lift w a hoist (works good if the engine is on a stand)
you dont want to lift the engine just pull up on the tube, than i tap it all around w a 2x4 or rubber mallet...25 taps later it slides right out.
to remove the oil fill i wrap a tie down or similar strap around the fill tube and lift w a hoist (works good if the engine is on a stand)
you dont want to lift the engine just pull up on the tube, than i tap it all around w a 2x4 or rubber mallet...25 taps later it slides right out.
#4
Make sure your machine shop saves all of the old plugs. The two in the front are Olds specific and hard to find. They do not come in the freeze plug kits. There is also one in the back that is behind a little pressed in plug. That one has a hole in it for distributor oiling. If the machine shop puts the plugs back in for you make sure they put the right ones in the right place.
#5
I used to work at an engine re-builder and this is how we would remove them quickly .
I would heat them up red hot with an aceytelene torch and then quench them quickly with paraffin ( wax) .
The super hot paraffin penetrates very quickly , and allows easy removal .
I would heat them up red hot with an aceytelene torch and then quench them quickly with paraffin ( wax) .
The super hot paraffin penetrates very quickly , and allows easy removal .
Last edited by Charlie Jones; October 15th, 2021 at 08:19 PM.
#7
I really think that would be a bit insulting to the machine shop. I know it would be a turn off for me. I would just ask them for all of the old plugs back. If they have been in business very long they should know about the correct plugs anyway.
#8
I dont know why I missed the pictures the first time I looked at this thread but where in the world has that thing been sitting to get that rusty ??? Almost looks like it was a marine engine. I would be very concerned about the rust in the lifter bores and would make sure to check that very well before going too far.
#9
Bill, how many times have there been problems because they didn't put the plugs in to oil the timing chain or distributor gear. Those places have been in business, but they obviously didn't know Olds and put in the incorrect stuff. OR, he can ask to have them saved and put them in himself.
#10
Bill, how many times have there been problems because they didn't put the plugs in to oil the timing chain or distributor gear. Those places have been in business, but they obviously didn't know Olds and put in the incorrect stuff. OR, he can ask to have them saved and put them in himself.
#11
Why not pull them yourself? If an impact doesn't get it, heat up the block around them with a torch; it has always worked for me.
I left it to a machine shop once and never saw my plugs again. If you do let a shop remove them, make sure you tell them up front you have to have them back.
Does anyone know where to buy them?
I left it to a machine shop once and never saw my plugs again. If you do let a shop remove them, make sure you tell them up front you have to have them back.
Does anyone know where to buy them?
#13
The front plugs are straight thread hex head, so not that easy to find generic. These are on ebay by Oldsrocketparts.
The rear plugs are NPT pipe plugs, so pretty common. The one behind the freeze plug has the 0.040" weep hole. A new generic pipe plug needs this hole drilled in it. The one front plug also has an 0.040" weep hole. The two front plugs are different sizes and do not interchange so you can't mix them up.
The rear plugs are NPT pipe plugs, so pretty common. The one behind the freeze plug has the 0.040" weep hole. A new generic pipe plug needs this hole drilled in it. The one front plug also has an 0.040" weep hole. The two front plugs are different sizes and do not interchange so you can't mix them up.
#15
Bill, and duly noted. If someone was going to you, I would not have said a thing.
But, across this country there are: "have a good reputation", "they build race car engines", "they are a performance shop", "I heard they were good", "they told me.....", "they will build me a ____" places.
But, across this country there are: "have a good reputation", "they build race car engines", "they are a performance shop", "I heard they were good", "they told me.....", "they will build me a ____" places.
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