Tool recommendations for these plugs?

S

SimplyCosmic

Member
My recently acquired 1929 Tudor has these oddball plugs on the rear differential.

Any recommendations for tools to help unscrew them so that I can change the oil and replace with a new set of standard plugs?

I'd appreciate any recommendations that don't involve fabricating a new tool as I don't the tools or skills to do so. Yet.

Ysl0LFy.jpg
 
I have a BIIIG screw driver with a square shaft. For something like that, you don't want to slip and round off the slot. I use a spanner (wrench) on the shaft of the driver and grinding paste on the tip of it to help stop it slipping. Use plenty of force on the end of the screw driver handle too. Another option is to use an impact driver - the kind you hit the end of the handle of with a hammer to get a good grip and start things turning.
Failing that, there appears to be enough of the plug protruding from the housing for you to get a pair of locking pliers onto it and give it a turn. Good luck.
 
The socket you need is called a Drag Link Socket. lots of tool supply have them . used for those type plugs, drag link work, motorcycle engine case have same type , that socket here in Canada cost less than $20
 
I'm currently in Painesville, Ohio, east of Cleveland.

I appreciate the recommendations and will take a look for those drag link sockets.
 
In a pinch, one thing that's worked for me with drag link heads is to use a pair of needle-nose pliers where the tip of the pliers is the right size for the slot. You open the pliers slightly so the tips are positioned at either end of the slot and then twist.
 
Remember the old doctor's oath: "First, do no harm!" Be cautious about using a Vise Grip or pipe wrench! If the plug is super tight and you don't get a good bite, you will round off the plug and be worse than before. The moveable jaw on a pipe wrench has enough play in it that, when trying to grip on just one edge, it has a tendency to slip off and round off the plug. With a Vise Grip you need the right tension on the plug. Too little and it slips. Too much and you crush the plug and again, the play in the moveable jaw may cause it to pop off.
 
Tie rod Socket or large square drive screw driver. If you manage to round things off to where you cannot get a grip, carefully drill a small hole in the center of the plug. Then enlarge it until you can use a very large easy out to back it out, which would be my last choice. If you can find a reverse drill set, that may help. Barring all that get someone to weld a nut onto what is sticking out, then a good six point socket should remove it. That would be my first choice if the tie rod tool or screw driver failed me.
 
They can be replaced with the later style square hole plug. They are pipe thread. The early Model A's used the slot so not really odd ball. Ford went from square hole plug for 26/27 T's to the slot then back to square hole. I don't have the dates the slot was used at hand.
 
Those are original plugs to your 29. If you are interested in keeping your car original use the correct drag link socket. If not try not to damage them. There are a lot of people believe it or not that would like to have those plugs if they aren’t chewed up.
 
The tool U need looks like this! Also the damage on the old plug can be cleaned up a bit, once you get it out. May need vice grips or ?? to get the plugs out to clean up.
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2019-04-30 at 12.08.22 PM.jpg
    Screen Shot 2019-04-30 at 12.08.22 PM.jpg
    5.3 KB · Views: 12
SimplyCosmic said:
My recently acquired 1929 Tudor has these oddball plugs on the rear differential.

Any recommendations for tools to help unscrew them so that I can change the oil and replace with a new set of standard plugs?

I'd appreciate any recommendations that don't involve fabricating a new tool as I don't the tools or skills to do so. Yet.

Ysl0LFy.jpg
Click to expand...

That's a standard plug used in LATE 1928 and maybe into early 1929..
What month is your 29 ?
 
So buy a tool to take out the plug,throw it away and buy the correct plug? sound advise...how about pull the plug with vise grips,buy the new plug and with the money you save buy yourself a beer for being smart :)
 
denniskliesen said:
Those are original plugs to your 29. If you are interested in keeping your car original use the correct drag link socket. If not try not to damage them. There are a lot of people believe it or not that would like to have those plugs if they aren’t chewed up.
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing that info Dennis. I did not know that tidbit...
Now you have given me cause to check out the months these were used as I often work on differentials and cannot recall seeing more than a few of these plugs.
Good Day!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top