MTFCA Forum

I see by an oil pool underneath the crankcase oil drain that my often used crush washer failed. Cannot find a replacement in small town hardware and auto parts stores but did find neoprene washer that’s a tight fit on the oil drain plug. Would this be a long term fix ?

Almost any seal material will work. I often used a 1/16" or thicker paper gasket. It's just oil.
Rich

George,

Did you look for a copper washer? If you are unable to find a proper fit, make your own out of copper sheet. The only critical dimension is the inside diameter hole so it fits properly on the drain plug.

Good Luck,
Terry

Copper is the only way to go. I think I've bought those from Lang's.

Thanks to all. Good advice. I’ll make a washer out of thick gasket material and order a few next time I need a shipment from a vendor...

I use string.

Original Smith wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 10, 2022 10:14 am

Copper is the only way to go. I think I've bought those from Lang's.

Me too and yes Langs has them. Or at least they used to. Nowadays my first question to any vendor is if they even HAVE it in stock!

I am a Stat-O-Seal convert

I use them on pan screws, transmission door, and drain plugs...even modified the OD on one to seal the low-band adjuster. For the first time since I entered the hobby, I have cars which will rarely drip a drop of oil. Seriously...I can't recommend these things enough

they are moulded-in-place o'rings which have an aluminum washer which limits the crush on the oring to the exact designed compression...they simply work (and they are reusable, too)

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/produ ... oduct=3245

Very good Scott. Typically great advice from you. And I use feed sack string too, John, with 4-5 wraps around the bolts of the bottom pan inspection cover.

Ace hardware has copper washers.

John, Ace Hardware might advertise they sell copper washers but Ace Hardware in Lockhart doesn’t sell them. That’s where I bought neoprene washers of the right I.D.

mtntee20 wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 10, 2022 10:08 am

George,

Did you look for a copper washer? If you are unable to find a proper fit, make your own out of copper sheet. The only critical dimension is the inside diameter hole so it fits properly on the drain plug.

Good Luck,
Terry

Years ago, I had a pan that had an about an inch square piece of copper sheet with a tight fitting hole in the center to fit the plug. the corners were wrinkled and bent, but otherwise sticking out. It was on my engine when I got it, and on the engine for years after I got it running! It was a bit awkward to remove and replace as only one pair of hex sides was reachable by wrench, but not that difficult. I left it and worked with it for years as part of the car's history.
Worked just fine.

I've used a leather washer ro cure a stubborn leak.

RTV works as well. I recommend one of the big pump tubes to maximize loss though.

HARBOR FREIGHT sels a box of multiple various sized copper washers. Lots of places you can use them. They used to be 10 to 11 dollars.