Drain plug help

[astronutski]

Guys, I think I need to order some engine block drain plugs but don't know where to go. She's a 86 regal Sebring with the 3.0. My (aging) dad said he took three plugs out when he drained the block 15 years ago before putting her into hibernation. I cannot locate the three plugs and don't know where to find them. I would like to just order them online and be done with it the summer is rapidly vanishing and she has to be christened yet!

Any help would be greatly appreciated on where I can find a site that sells these mystery plugs. Thank you

 

[GA_Boater]

You could check with any local Mercruiser dealer.

 

[CV16]

I replaced the plugs in my dad's boat a few years back with some from True Value Hardware. I don't remember I think they were 1/4" pipe thread. They even had brass!

 

[Rick Stephens]

I replaced all mine with solid brass ones from Ace Hardware. I broke one off that was hollow and had to do a bunch of disassembly to get the thread portion out. Ace had solid brass ones that have been perfect. 1/4 and 1/8th pipe thread.

Rick

 

[astronutski]

I replaced all mine with solid brass ones from Ace Hardware. I broke one off that was hollow and had to do a bunch of disassembly to get the thread portion out. Ace had solid brass ones that have been perfect. 1/4 and 1/8th pipe thread.

Rick

Thank you all!

Can y'all please tell me which of the following holes need plugged, and what are not important? He said he removed three, but then wasn't positive. I found 8 holes total. I think the bigger ones on the left side of the block are vehicle motor mounts (green circles), obviously not used here. But there's a petcock type "T fitting" on the same side, not sure if that closes all the way with the T handle or if it's missing a plug also?

Right side, two holes: Red & Yellow


Front-Top & Middle, one hole each: Blue & Red




Left Block, 4 holes: Green and Pink


I later found and installed the T Petcock-fitting in the pink circled hole from above, but it still has a through hole, not sure if it closed when tightened down, can't get my head in there to check.


Thank you, I hope tyo get this baby running TONIGHT!!!! WOOHOOOOOO. Then I'll be chillin the most finally! ;-)

 

[Rick Stephens]

Typically:

bottom picture is only one that drains the block.

Almost directly above that block drain is a plug that goes straight up into the bottom of the exhaust manifold, near the back of the motor. That one is 1/8th pipe thread is I remember right. (might be 1/4 pipe, been a while since I did one.)

Last one I have seen is another 1/8th plug that goes into the thermostat housing.

Shouldn't be any others on that year motor. Easy way to find out, plug what I just listed and fire it up on muffs. .

 

[Alumarine]

There might be another plug on the exhaust riser but as Rick said you'll find where they should go when you run it on muffs.

 

[astronutski]

Typically:

bottom picture is only one that drains the block.

Almost directly above that block drain is a plug that goes straight up into the bottom of the exhaust manifold, near the back of the motor. That one is 1/8th pipe thread is I remember right. (might be 1/4 pipe, been a while since I did one.)

Last one I have seen is another 1/8th plug that goes into the thermostat housing.

Shouldn't be any others on that year motor. Easy way to find out, plug what I just listed and fire it up on muffs. .

Thank you much Rick!

I get you, so the petcock is typically used to drain the block, makes sense. And the vertical plug going into the exhaust manifold immediately above the petcock, gotcha, I didn't look UP LOL, but actually found that one in the meantime as #2 here in this diagram.... and you're right, 1/8" NPT.

And by thermostat housing, are you referring to my third pic with the red circle?


The 1st pic, red circle looks like it has had water in the past, probably need that plugged....
as well as the one on the top of the manifold (2nd pic, blue circle), water evidence it appears. the others don't show the light rust so maybe just those.

Thanks, I'll get it, but some in the diagrams list 3/8" also, did you do any of those?

 

[astronutski]

There might be another plug on the exhaust riser but as Rick said you'll find where they should go when you run it on muffs.

Ya, very true, I was hoping to get her done tonight by having all plugs on hand (she resides far out in the sticks at my folks home), but I did suggest that to the Dad to crank her over and find the holes ;-)
Thank you guys.

 

[Starcraft5834]

ive got a 1987 3.0.. it's only got (2) drain points.. Manifold drain plug and the engine block main drain plug. they are both located on right side of engine, low rear is your engine drain petcock main, above that slightly is the manifold drain plug.. that one is 1/4 inch, the main is larger.. Replacing them means the threads are likely corroded and wont accept a new plug anyway.. you may need to buy a thread chaser and clean them out..

 

[Rick Stephens]

I don't think there is any access to the water jacket around the fuel pump. You can ignore those.

The pic of the thermostat is not very clear. There is a plug there, most of the time instead of pulling that plug I would pull the hose off the water pump that comes down from the thermostat housing. That clears out everything. Point is, I can't tell if the red circle is a plug missing or not.

Rick

 

[Starcraft5834]

ya.. what Rick said.. pull the hose.. then there are only (2) other drain points... leave it empty and put plugs back in over winter,, if you are in a climate that reaches freezing temps.. which is about 75 % of the country. "Air Dont Freeze" (ref--Bondo)

 

[astronutski]

Thanks guys!

Ya, I will do that going forward, for sure! The threads on all of those are perfect, my only "problem" is the (mysterious # of) plugs walked off, so I'm left to figure out what needs a plug and what doesn't. I figured to do the try it and see method, but wanted enough to do the job in one night, tonight so I'll just get three of each of the sizes 1/8", 1/4" and 3/8" to be sure.

SO DAMN CLOSE NOW!!! Can ya feel the excitement???

 

[astronutski]

Oh, so there's no sillycone or teflon tape or anything needed on these threads are there, I can't imagine there would be being tapered threads.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Ya can't hurt em with teflon tape. But ya don't need it either.

 

[Scott06]

The thermostat plug is in place already at the extreme upper left of the picture, not what you circled in red.

 

[astronutski]

No Title

ive got a 1987 3.0.. it's only got (2) drain points.. Manifold drain plug and the engine block main drain plug. they are both located on right side of engine, low rear is your engine drain petcock main, above that slightly is the manifold drain plug.. that one is 1/4 inch, the main is larger..

100% on Imperial! 1/4" plug on manifold and the petcock closed perfectly when tight.

In other news, got her fired up last night!!!
Need to replace the fuel hose from tank and replace the water hoses on engine and we're ready to go! Man that felt incredible, what a long ride!
Thank you to everyone here who helped me along the way.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Nice looking barge!!

 

[astronutski]

Nice looking barge!!

Thanks!!!

 

[Pete104]

Just tighten them snug. It's not a lug nut!