The stock drain plug thread is 14 X 1.5. Not the 14 X 1.25 spark plug thread.

Dennis

----- Original Message -----
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Date: Thursday, July 21, 2005 7:13 am
Subject: Re: Heli-Coil an Engine Oil Drain?

> In a message dated 21/07/2005 12:09:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
>
> Any  rate, I've been told that to replace the helicoil
> with the next size up is  the way to go.  I'm nervous
> about doing this because:
>
> A) Never  installed a heli-coil before
> B) I'm concerned bout drilling the case by  hand and
> having to keep a hand drill square to the case so I
> don't get a  cock-eyed hole
> C) Concerned about drilling too deep!
> D) How do I keep  the drill chips from getting into the
> engine and slowly machining my newish  powerplant
> apart?
>
> I'm looking for some real-life experience from  those
> out there who have gone this route.  I'd like to know
> how  people solved the issues I listed above and how
> long the fix worked for  them.
>
> I'f you've used another solution to this problem, that
> worked,  please let me know about that too.  (No, I'm
> not going to use an old  spark plug.)
>
>
>
> Barry, I would try using a No. 5334-14 , M14x1.25  "Sav-A-Thread
> Spark Plug
> Port Repair Kit" to solve your problem.  This kit  is made by
> HeliCoil a Black
> & Decker Company.  It comes with a two  stage tap that will allow
> you to make
> the proper threads in the casing, without  the worry of drilling
> off centre,
> to insert the new threaded insert.   This is a much better
> solution that using
> an ordinary HeliCoil as it will  withstand many removals and
> insertions of the
> drain plug without failing.   The chips of metal will either fall
> out due to
> gravity working in your  favour or stick to the tap because of the
> oil on it.
> Either way  there's no problem with chips being left behind to
> destroy your
> motor.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank  Condelli
> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> '87 Westy, '90 Carat & Lionel  Trains
> Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
> _Frank Condelli &  Associates_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)or
> http://frankcondelli.com_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
> _BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
> camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12,  2005
>