If it is indeed the head that is stripped, another solution could be to use
a dremel tool with a cut off wheel and create a "slot" in the head of the
bolt to place very large screwdriver into or even a 1/2 inch drive with a
flat head screw driver head on it .  I have done this will bolts and screws
that strip and it can save the day.

I think all the engines that are apart that have not been alignbored to
death may benefit from installing the helicoil inserts into both the drain
plug as well as the spark plug holes.

----- Original Message -----
From: "mark drillock" <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 5:00 PM
Subject: Re: stripped oil drain plug

> Heli coils are great but by his description it sounds like what he did
> was round off the drain plug rather than strip the threads. I would get
> a 6 point 1/2" socket and hammer it onto the plug very hard. Then it may
> well come right out. The 1/2" is slightly smaller than 13mm and the 6
> point socket will bite into it much better than a 12 point. If he had
> used a 6 point 13mm in the first place the rounding of the head would
> likely never have happened.
>
> Mark
>
> Jake Beaulieu wrote:
>
> >Hey cr,
> >
> >I am in the process of having a heli coil installed in my cylinder head
to take
> >care of stripped spark plug threads.  I have searched the archives for
info
> >about heli coils and came across a ton of messages about stripped oil
drain
> >plugs.  I didn't read many of these so I can't tell you what they said,
but
> >check out the archives.  Lots of info on this subject in there.
> >
> >good luck,
> >Jake
> >82 air cooled westy
> >
> >
> >
> >>On Fri, 27 Jan 2006, Chris Renz wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>>well, I finally did it. I wrenched it too tight recently I guess and
have
> >>>seemingly stripped into a perfect circle.
> >>>
> >>>any tips on getting this sucker out so I can replace it without
damaging
> >>>
> >>>
> >>the
> >>
> >>
> >>>case?
> >>>
> >>>Thanks!
> >>>
> >>>cr
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
> >
> >
> >