L134 Oil Gallery Pipe Plugs (External)

[RonD2]

The machine shop misplaced the 3 oil gallery pipe plugs on the left side of my L134 block. The September 1955 ORD9 SNL on page 27 calls for steel square-head plugs, which seem to be rare so far.

While I'll keep looking, I find plenty of square heads in brass and stainless steel (both 304 and 316). I'm leaning towards brass (solid not hollow) mainly with the thought that if they ever need to come out again, the brass might be easier to deal with over the stainless.

If I had to choose between them, which would you recommend?

There's also a lot of hex-head and hex-head socket styles, but I'd rather keep the old-school square heads called for in the manual.

Maybe I'm pole-vaulting over nothing. Flip a coin?

I'd appreciate the feedback. Thanks!

[RonD2]

My bust, it's only two plugs not three. The two closest to the oil pump that exit the block at 45-degree angle. The front port is for an oil line and the rear port is for the oil pressure gauge. I knew that.

[OKCM38CDN]

Check the local hardware store... ACE may have them in the plumbing section... That is my local store...

[danrothe2001]

Hardware stores will be wrong. They will be a galvanized plumbing plug. Find a parts store or machine shop that carries the Pioneer brand. Maybe even the shop that lost them. They make small parts for engines. Part number is PP-733. This will be the exact replacement.

Dan

[RonD2]

I was just getting ready to thank Hal for the tip because I snagged the last two of these from the bin at my local old-school ACE Hardware Store. Yes, galvanized, but steel and square headed (bonus, Made in USA), and they fit the gallery ports just fine. I'd rather them than brass or stainless.

Hi Dan. What did you mean by "wrong"? I know the SNL doesn't call out galvanized, just plain steel. But they are the correct 1/8-27 NPT. Does the finish alone make them "not correct"? I'm searching for Pioneer PP-733, no joy so far. Searching the machine shop that misplaced them isn't practical. That, and I kind of figure it was my bust for not pulling them before I dropped it off. I was thinking it would be a commonly found and inexpensive replacement part (not).

They don't even look galvanized to me, more like maybe nickel plated.

Thanks to you both!

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[danrothe2001]

Ron

That is not what I expected. Usually what I see is a cast version with rounded corners and butt ugly. Those have nice sharp corners and will look fine. Once they turn green no one will know they were galvanized.

[RonD2]

Thanks again Dan!

Yes, I usually expect a very rough finish on galvanized pipe fittings myself. All the nearby bins with the larger stuff were butt ugly. Maybe mis-packaged, but a pleasant surprise!

And tanks again Hal! Finding those last 2 in that dusty bin was like they were sitting there for 20 years waiting for me to show up. I had to paw through a bunch of other misplaced fittings to find them. Good stuff.

[RonD2]

And it looks like the Billco Corporation is still in business today making Made in the USA fittings.

https://www.billcocorp.com/

Not clear to me how to buy (maybe only distributors in large quantity, I didn't call to ask), but glad to see them around!

[rgmutchler]

If for some reason the galvanizing is a problem just soak them in vinegar for a day or so and them wire brush them and you will do away with the galvanize. It also works on zinc coated hardware so that paint will adhere to it.

[RonD2]

Thanks RG! Vinegar is my friend (and fairly cheap too) for gently removing rust. I wasn't aware it works on galvanizing. More good stuff!

I usually recycle it from the last batch of pickled eggs I made (mmm, good!). Along with a cold beer, good to go!