Tapping out gallery plugs

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Randy in Maine
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Tapping out gallery plugs

Post by Randy in Maine » Tue Jun 01, 2010 3:13 pm

Anyone have a "how to do it" rap on this for a Type 4?

It used to be on Jake's webiste but I can't find it anymore. I am helping a guy out here and can't find the procedure.
79 VW Bus

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chitwnvw
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Re: Tapping out gallery plugs

Post by chitwnvw » Tue Jun 01, 2010 7:05 pm

Randy in Maine wrote:Anyone have a "how to do it" rap on this for a Type 4?

It used to be on Jake's webiste but I can't find it anymore. I am helping a guy out here and can't find the procedure.
Drill into them. Thread a dent puller into them and yank them out. From their you just need to find the appropriate drill bit and tap. German Supply has a kit. Rinse the case over and over.

And yo' a shout out to my TS days:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto ... llery+plug

Another useful resource:

http://huelsmann.us/bugman/FilterTech.html

Colin seems to recommend just pulling the 'problem' ones by the flywheel. Should be simple enough.

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hambone
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Post by hambone » Wed Jun 02, 2010 7:47 am

I JBed mine, seems OK. Hey, isn't this procedure better left to a shop? Or am I just paranoid?
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Amskeptic
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Post by Amskeptic » Sat Jul 10, 2010 4:56 pm

hambone wrote:I JBed mine, seems OK. Hey, isn't this procedure better left to a shop? Or am I just paranoid?
I think the Type 4 engines have been more prone to blasting those plugs out. I have seen issues with steel plugs that do not expand along with the case. I have seen some real butcher jobs.
If your plugs are secure and dry, JB Weld may perform an insurance function. Drilling and tapping is a good idea with an engine that has grenaded, it helps clear out the crap in the oil galleries. It is also a good idea with extremely high-mileage engines, so long as the quality of the work is beyond reproach.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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BellePlaine
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Post by BellePlaine » Mon Jul 19, 2010 9:35 am

I suppose this isn't a weekend job, is it? You are going to want to have the case apart if you are drilling threads, right? How could you keep the little bits of metal shavings from going inside the case?
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Amskeptic
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Post by Amskeptic » Mon Jul 19, 2010 3:23 pm

BellePlaine wrote:I suppose this isn't a weekend job, is it? You are going to want to have the case apart if you are drilling threads, right? How could you keep the little bits of metal shavings from going inside the case?
You are correct.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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chitwnvw
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Post by chitwnvw » Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:29 pm

You could JB weld them though.

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hambone
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Post by hambone » Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:35 am

Amazing stuff JB. Finicky though, it doesn't like the wrong application. Seems to do well unless it's stressed or load bearing.
Heck it's holding my brain together RIGHT NOW!
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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Hippie
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Post by Hippie » Tue Jul 20, 2010 8:33 am

chitwnvw wrote:You could JB weld them though.
As a safety backup you mean?
Pr'y work. I glued over the plastic cam bore pluge on my case with it because it's a press fit instead of the locking rib type like they used to be.

My old case had a 4" oil leaking crack under the flywheel that I fixed with JB and a layer of cloth sandwiched in there between layers of JB.

Stuff is tough.

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