Heating Aluminum Case to Remove Oil Plug

[jjeff]

Funny story using acetylene and aluminum. Long, long time ago when I thought I knew everything I took my aluminum hockey stick to HS welding shop with me to replace the blade, used acetylene instead of the usual propane torch, or heat gun everyone else uses in the locker room. No oxygen just acetylene after a brief second or two the shaft on my hockey stick was now 6" shorter and resembled a very expensive burnt chunk of swiss cheese. Lesson learned, I shy away from oxy/acetylene on aluminum religiously.

 

[yomax4]

I second the heat gun. Most will dump enough heat to handle this project.

 

[Sberry]

Penetrating spray works quite well with steel/alum if ity can sit for a while. I heat the plug a liyyle and can even cool with water, do it again. A little oil on the threads when putting it back and it doesnt have to be driven tight.

 

[_RaT_]

Seized steel drain plug in an aluminum transmission case.
Before I strip it out to the point of welding something to the plug, (its a 17 MM Allen head) I want to heat the case with my acetylene only torch.
It still has oil in it, a GM Synchromesh which looks like a 10/30 type.
Tell me what I need to know please.
Not a newbie but first time for oil filled aluminum for me and I'm nervous. Can acetylene only, (plumbers torch) melt aluminum? Fire?
Or am I stressing over nothing as it would take a loooong time heating for either to happen?
Thanks in advance.

Cant remove the pan? if so, drill through and easy out.

 

[BravoXray]

So, did you get the plug out?

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[fidowanttobe]

Yes I did.
Used a propane torch to heat up the steel plug then hit it with PB Blaster.
Soak and cool.
Repeat.
Heated the case up and "gave her the onion" with a breaker bar and allen head socket and both plugs said "UNCLE"!
I worked in a mfg. plant and we torqued EVERYTHING to specs.
Why do I always find the stuff that a gorilla tightened? Tighter doesn't make it better or last longer.

 

[Sberry]

It isn't just torque but mostly assembled with dry threads often to seizure upon installation. Dry rough threads stop turning.

 

[_RaT_]

It isn't just torque but mostly assembled with dry threads often to seizure upon installation. Dry rough threads stop turning.

Agreed, if it was just over torqued, it would have shown signs of rounding out the plug and maybe it did. I now make sure that I have the absolutely correct allen to fit into the plug on my cars. They are all metric and even though often times the standard one will fit and frequently work, its not worth it. I have also been dominantly using 6 point instead of 12 point sockets.

 

[Sberry]

Tapered make it worse. Smear a little oil on and don't install so tight.

 

[Sberry]

We spray about every bolt but we install.