What to plug original dip stick hole with when replacing long block Mercruiser 4.3

[robertearl]

I am replacing the long block on my 2005 Mercruiser 4.3 ( Ser # ow373303 ). I cannot figure out how to get the plug out of the block for the original dip stick hole. What do you plug the hole with on the new block, just screw on a brass pipe plug?

Reb

 

[achris]

The new blocks don't use the dipstick hole cast in the block. It's connected to the oil pan drain plug... And may I suggest you go with that system rather than trying to make a new hole (reopen the closed one) in the new engine... Here's the parts breakdown. http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...140&bdesc=Oil+Pan,+Oil+Pump+and+Rear+Oil+Seal You'll need #11, 12, 22, 23, 24, 25, 18, 19.... If you don't want the drain hose, get a 12mm SS bolt of the right length (you'll know when you have part #12 what the right length is) and drill a 8mm hole down the centre to just below the head, then drill a crossing hole that will line up with the hole in part#12 that the dipstick tube screws onto...

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

When I swapped my one engine in, I bought a Pioneer brass core plug kit and it had a few welch plugs of different sizes in it. One of them fit the dipstick hole perfectly. I slathered some JB Weld on it and tapped it in.

Failing that a bolt that fits snug with JB Weld on it would probably work fine.

 

[achris]

Did I read the OP post backwards? Is the new block dipstick hole open?

 

[robertearl]

I figured it out. I just took the oil pan off of the old block and punched out the old plug. I then just hammered it into the new block.

Reb

 

[Bondo]

Did I read the OP post backwards? Is the new block dipstick hole open?

Ayuh,.... That's correct,... open hole in the block castin',...

 

[achris]

That seems odd. All the new blocks I've seen (Vortec) have the dipstick hole closed... It's a legacy from the old pre-vortec engines...