2F Oil Leak on Back of Engine - Welch Plug?

[Will Van]

The PO of my '77 2F Cruiser supposedly resealed the engine, trans, and transfer case. When I took ownership of the truck it was leaking fluid everywhere, including oil out the back of the motor. I assumed it was a rear main seal or the oil pan gasket.

I finally pulled the motor yesterday to do the oil pan gasket and rear main seal on an engine stand.

Once I got it out, I noticed that there are two core/freeze plugs on the back of the 2F. The Welch plug on the back of the motor looks to have been mucked up during install (cam plug looks ok). What is the likelihood that it's leaking from the Welch plug? Is this common? I know a lot of people like to drill and tap the oil plug on the head. Are these also a good candidate for threaded plug? What about the cam plug?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Will Van]

I've done a little more reading. It looks like a few people have drilled and tapped the Welch plugs for 1/2" NPT, although they did it when they were doing a full rebuild, not just a reseal.

I'm not sure what the best approach is. If I should just pull the Welch plug and install a new one, or go ahead and drill and tap for NPT? I suppose with the oil pan off, and a good shop vac, I should be able to get most/all of the shavings for the drill/tap. But I would probably have to drill a pilot hole for a slide hammer just to get the Welch plug off anyway.

What do you guys think?

 

[Steamer]

If you have to drill a hole for a slide hammer you'll already have shavings to clean out. Maybe a good time to just tap it as well.

Edit: Unless you could punch a hole with an awl and hammer?

 

[Will Van]

If you have to drill a hole for a slide hammer you'll already have shavings to clean out. Maybe a good time to just tap it as well.

Edit: Unless you could punch a hole with an awl and hammer?

That's what I was thinking. I'm going to have to drill a pilot hole anyway, just to use a slide hammer and machine screw to pull the old Welch plug out. Might as well drill and tap for 1/2" NPT and be done with it.

Good thought. I might be able to punch a hole in it. I'll get into it tonight. I need to borrow a slide hammer.

 

[Steamer]

If ya don't find a slide hammer.....

 

[3_puppies]

once the hole is in the plug, I use an alignment bar and pop it out, no slide hammer needed.