Stuck pipe fitting

4x4M38 · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2016 9:52 am Post subject: Stuck pipe fitting

I'm dying here. I've been trying to remove a galvanized
pipe nipple from my head. It's screwed in the port where
the temp sender goes.

I started last week with PB Blaster, soaking every few hours,
then the next day tried heat with a propane torch, cooling,
then trying a pipe wrench.

Started again today. PB, soak, propane torch, cool, pipe wrench.

It won't budge.

Help?
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

wesk · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2016 9:54 am Post subject:

Acetylene torch. Red hot then turn while glowing deep red.

That method seldom fails but when it does you are reduced to the drill carefully and clean threads.
_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

4x4M38 · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2016 10:01 am Post subject:

Ah, Man. That's what previous posts recommend but I don't have
an acetylene rig. Will a MAP torch work?
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

southpw · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2016 10:18 am Post subject:

MAP torch should work. Try turning it while its hot
_________________
1952 M38 project
Brad

4x4M38 · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2016 10:23 am Post subject:

Thanks Lefty. Headed to TS to get one now.

I really need an acetylene setup, but geez getting the gas is more than the hoses, regulators and torches anymore.
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

4x4M38 · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2016 1:40 pm Post subject:

Ok. Tried the MAP torch with oxygen. Scared to death I'd melt or burn something else in the engine compartment with that long flame. It barely got
dull red but only as long as I held the flame to it, and the flame is about the size of the end of a mechanical pencil (not the lead).

Did learn one lesson. I settled for an off-brand pipe wrench the other day instead of holding out for a Rigid. This stupid thing is almost impossible to keep tight on the fitting. It loosens itself.

Anyway. No go. I was able to get good bites but could not budge the fitting. It is starting to deform due to the pipe wrench not being full encirclement.

So now. Drill it out a bit at a time until thin enough to extract?
It's 1/2" pipe so the largest bit I have which is 1/2" won't barely clean the junk off the inside. And how far inside do I go? Pretty sure there is important stuff in there in close proximity to that water jacket. Tape on the drill bit to determine depth?

Do I cut it off close to the head before I start?

Ahhhhhh, Man. Not feeling good about this at all now.
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

4x4M38 · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2016 2:18 pm Post subject:

Ok, right before I ate a bullet......

I went back and tried the heat thing one more time.
Still could not get a decent bite with that POS pipe wrench.

In desperation looked over to the workbench and saw the old, gnarly water pump pliers I've had forever.

I took a bite and tried tightening and it moved a millimeter.

Reversed and tried again and it loosened about three mm.

I took a deep breath and tried again and it moved about 1/4 of an inch.

Well, it's out. The threads need cleaning, and there is some gunk in the head, but it's out.

I have decided to call it a win and put everything up and maybe do the dishes for SWMBO. Something nice for somebody else. In celebration. Then perhaps an adult beverage.

Not sure if in the end it was a combination of everything, and am sure the proper heat helped, as well as actually being able to get a grip on the thing. I did try the water pump pliers the other day, but it started to crush the fitting. Today I put a bolt in it as suggested.

This board is like drinking from a fire hose, if you know which plug to pull up to.

Thanks Guys.
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

RICKG · Member Joined: Aug 31, 2010 Posts: 1740 Location: SO IDAHO

4x4M38 · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2016 4:29 pm Post subject:

You de Man!

Yours may pass mine on the road somewhere in Colorado!
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

southpw · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2016 5:28 pm Post subject:

Congrats
_________________
1952 M38 project
Brad

4x4M38 · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2016 5:38 pm Post subject:

Thank you Brad.
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

leecarr · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2016 6:20 pm Post subject:

Make sure you have the right tap to clean out the threads, a pipe tap is tapered if you go
too deep the new fitting may not tighten up properly. Good luck

4x4M38 · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2016 6:26 pm Post subject:

Thread chaser I think is the right term. I have threaded a spare
1/2" NPT fitting in and it goes in pretty cleanly.

I'm going to run a wire brush in just to make sure, but will run by Ace
tomorrow and see if they have a thread chaser.

Thanks Lee
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

skyjeep50 · Member Joined: Feb 20, 2007 Posts: 606 Location: Illinois

Glad you got the fitting out. But in your original post you stated that the fitting was in the hole where "the temp sender goes". If I'm not mistaken, the temp sender goes in the right side of the block. The head has a port on the front for the pre-heater hose and one at the back for a cabin heater line. Neither of those ports are big enough for the standard temp sender.
_________________
1951 M38

4x4M38 · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2016 6:34 am Post subject:

Morning,
It screws into the right side of the head just aft of the distributor.
There's a 1/2" NPT thread hole there.

Bubba had a pipe fitting screwed in there, then a t fitting for what I
guessed was a heater hose. No heater in the jeep.

Our buddy.
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php


Create an account	Home · · Forums · · Articles · · Downloads · · Photo Gallery


PHP-Nuke Copyright © 2005 by Francisco Burzi. This is free software, and you may redistribute it under the GPL. PHP-Nuke comes with absolutely no warranty, for details, see the license.