tool to remove a pipe plug?

40cpe

40cpe

Well-known member
Trying to remove a pipe plug from engine block in the car. There is not much room to work with. The wrench area is 3/8" square and it starts to round off with an open end wrench. A four point socket would be ideal, I think. Is there such a tool?
 
There are 8 point sockets for that. I have 3/8 and 1/2 drive sets. Perfect for what you want. There are also square drive tap sockets.
 
A redneck approach: Turn a 5/8 or larger 3/8 drive socket backwards.Put the drive end of the socket on the plug, then a 5/8 or larger nut halfway into the socket. Next,use an end wrench on the nut. Might work.
 
Knock a 3/8 drive socket onto the plug, square drive end first. Size the socket to fit the biggest allen wrench you have. Use the allen wrench to turn out the plug.

Get your thinking cap on - you're bound to have something that will work.

Mart.

Edit Willit and I typing at the same time!
 
I have what might be called box end wrench with a 3/8" square hole on one end. These are made for a Southbend shop lathe. May work as is, in its standard overall length of ~ 5 to 6" long, or you could use a short piece of steel tubing or water pipe for extra length and leverage..
 
Yes there are some 4 point (or square ) sockets made just for this purpose in both male and female versions, although the female versions are only available in sizes smaller than either 1/2 or 3/8" I cannot remember without going out to the shop and looking. when you get into the larger sizes the set includes 8 point sockets. I bought mine from the Snap-on Dealer before I retired and was working. I am sure they are still available, and probably available from sears if you get their tool catalog along with other took manufactures
 
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I just tried a 12 pt. 12mm socket on a 3/8 in. sq. pipe plug and it fit nice and snug.
 
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Thanks, got them out. I resorted to heat from the torch. I didn't want to do it under the car but it was relatively free from grease and no gasoline had been to the engine in years.
 
I have a tool about 15 in. long with a 3/8 sq. hole on one end and a 1/2 in. sq. hole on the other. Very sturdy, it belonged to my father who was an old time Ford mechanic. I believe it was used for just that purpose, removing square head plugs. Paul Selfe.
 
Willit stop & Mart
Y'all are as smart an "OLE Circus Mule"! As my granddad would say "A Damn Fine Day when you learn something new!" Thanks for making it a damn fine day!!!
 
When in doubt, use a pipe wrench on a pipe plug. One look at a set of plumbing tools and you can see that precision wasn't considered very important.
 
When they get rounded bad and a pipe wrench won't grab I weld a nut to it and use a regular socket. (depending on material of the plug)

Had to do it on my gas tank drain plug. Worked great. Have also done it on broken exhaust bolts.
 
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