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Triumph TR6 - trans plug

Is there any tricks at removing side plug on my 74 TR6 I am changing trans fluid and hate the thought of going in from the top.the plug is very very tight.thanks....
bones

I had the same problem. I got a pair of heavy duty vise grips and clamped down tight on the plug. It worked better than a wrench which just rounded the plug
Michael Parkhill

Bones
here is some more medical advice:) Try to use the vise grips type with the flat jaws. Less chance of rounding the edges and better grip on the flats. Get some penitrating oil (WD40) and let sit for 24HRS ahead of time. Spray it a few times during this period. When you have success put some anti-seize on threads for the reinstall. If u have OD, it should be drained also. I will be doing the same thing before the drive this summer. Here is a little tip for you and all. On the refill side: As you can imagine this is not a case of a funnel. Go to auto parts supply store and pick up a pump (mine is black plastic)that screws onto a one gallon jug of your choice of tranny fluid. It will come with a length of plastic hose but may not be long enough so get a longer piece. This allows the jug to be outside the car while you are under (suitable held up by jack stands). While at the store pick up another smaller OD length of plastic pipe that will fit snugly in the pump inlet side (I ended up using a small ring clamp for snugness). You can now use the pump to drain the differential....granted not fully but at least most of it. Obviously same oil can be used in both units. Car should be level for proper refill level. If you have OD remember that it will use up .8 US pints so go for a short drive, use the OD then top up the tranny. Finally do yourself a favour and while at the store replace the drain plug with a plug that has a socket end to it...sorry can not remember the thread size.
enjoy
Rick
Rick Crawford

Same problem. I tapped the plug w/ a hammer (gently) a few times and slipped a 2' long pipe over the 7/16 wrench and used the leverage to turn out the plug. Make sure the wrench has a good purchase on the plug or you will round it off and need bandaids. Sta-Lube makes a neat pump that fits their 1 & 2 quart gear oil bottles...and they still make 80-90 GL4 oil.
Wayne

Mine was on so hard I had to take a chisel(?) to it. I am glad it was out of my car. While the subject is on plugs, I am replacing my 71 head for a later model. My 71 didn't have a EGR valve so I will be refilling the hole on the later head with a plug. Steven or Don any thoughts on what is best looking to use?
Thanks
DON KELLY

You only need to re-tighten the plug so it doesn't fall out. You don't want to split the aluminium casing for your gearbox. If you're still worried, cross-drill it and use locking wire so it doesn't get looser and fall out.

If you think about it, in my TR3A, the gearbox overdrive fill plug sits up on top and is a slide fit down into a 3/4" diameter cylindrical hole. The plug has a bit of felt glued around it to keep the oil from splashing out. To check it, I just pull it straight up. I've never had any oil leakage.

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

Make life easier in the fuure by cutting a hole in the trans. tunnel cover opposite the fill plug. Make it the same size as the jack plug opening in the floor and order an extra plug. This allows the oil to checked from inside the car while it is level. Also, replace the square headed plug with a hex one (3/8" npt pipe). Berry
Berry Price

Or use a recessed head for an allen wrench
Don
DON KELLY

Could not remove plug,Is there a way to pump new fluid in thru drain plug hole?Just trying to save taking seats and carpet and tunnel out.... thank you.......
bones

Bones
Maybe you should consider taking car to a garage and having heat put to it and attempt to remove. You can replace the plug as mentioned above so does not matter if it is destroyed. You obviously have to be careful with the torch. Consider also that if car is way up in the air you have better body leverage with the vise grips and a pipe over the vise grips as Wayne said above not to mention this is safer.
Good luck bones and let us know what happens.
Rick
Rick Crawford

Bones,
seriously rounded by tranny fill plug a short while ago, tried alot of different things, but this is what I did. I squared off the sides as best I could with a file, and then placed a box wrench over the plug. I then smooshed JB Weld into the nooks and crannies between the wrench and the plug. Came back the next morning and gave the wrench a turn - utter success! The devil to clean dried epoxy off of my Craftsman wrench, though. Oh BTW, I'm having a terrible time keeping cool with the top down this time of year - any of you having the same problem...;-).
Regards
Geoff
Geoff

You might try a 7/16' 8 point socket if there enough of the head left. Berry
Berry Price

Bones
The point being..do not give up yet. It will come out.
Geoff why do you chaps down south keep rubbing in the 365 driving days thing to us northerners. Bring your 6 up here...that will cool you down...:). Besides, I can still sit in my 6 in the garage with my down filled parka on and be saying VROOM first gear, VROOM second gear,VROOM,third gear...Think about it...I do not have to worry about someone hitting me!
Rick
Rick Crawford

Rick,
sorry about that - where have my British manners gone? Well, must be off, got to shine the old tin can up for a car show this weekend. Oops - I've gone and done it again...;-)
Regards
Geoff Parker
Geoff

I have tryed the heat and the 8 point and the visegrips just going to try pumping up thru drain ......any thoughts.........
bones

Yea I got one. How in blazes are you going to keep it in ?
Don
DON KELLY

Bones
As you can see,we all thought it should come out. Keep trying on it but here is a thought for u. If you come up with 2 plugs in one you will have less drainage as you put second plug in. There is the theory now the plug. You might want to get a brass plug same thread then drill a hole in it where you can drill and tap threads for a second plug in it. The second plug is where you will stick a length of small diameter plastic hose that is attached to a hand pump in gear oil( Do not use synthetic oil thinking longer drain life..the transmission will slip). The tranny holds 2.4 US pints (3.2 US pints if you have OD). This is your fill amount. Fill with a little bit more as you obviously will have drainage as you pull the hose out and put the second plug in. You might want to test the pump ahead of time to see how many "pumps" will be needed to put in slightly over 3.2 pints then you can work from a full supply of oil. What ya think??
Rick
Rick Crawford

You read my mind ........................
bones

Now that is a dangerious thing...remember, Great minds think alike.....Consider adding LUCAS Oil Products "heavy duty plus gear oil" (80w90) in a 50/50 ratio to 90 GL4 gear oil. result:longer oil life. Call Lucas at (800)342-2512, talk to a technician and see if u can go straight H.D.plus gear oil. They might even have another suggestion for u. Keep on trying that other plug. Remember NO SYNTHETIC!
Good luck
Rick
Rick Crawford

Bones-Sounds like you have slid down the slippery slope to the point of having to drill through the old plug, either removing (with an ezy-out it or putting a smaller plug inside. Either way, by drilling through the old plug, you are going to have to deal with drill chips in the case, which means removing the tunnel cover and trans. top cover. I would suggest first draining the oil, then flushing with a small amount of solvent. This will make it easier to remove the chips with a magnet.Also, replace the drain plug with the magnetic type. Berry
Berry Price

I am ready to roll my trans is full.filled from drain hole..................
bones

OHIO?
An early spring?
DON KELLY

56 degrees and sunny today
bones

Bones
So, did u do it with the process we both thought of? How much came out as you put second plug in? Did you use some lucas oil?
Rick
Hope you had your parka on cause the heater sure would not of helped.
Rick Crawford

This thread was discussed between 11/02/2002 and 24/02/2002

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