rethread an aluminum oil pan?

[Twizzler09]

So I just got back into the RBV crowd today....wood woot! Got a 91 explorer with the M5OD in it

Anyway, I just did an oil change on it and it looks like someone tried to put a heli-coil (sp) in the drain plug. I put the plug back in after the change and its not in all the way but its tight as all get out and not leaking. Anyway my question is, is this safe or am I going to need a new pan? I know that normally people don't rethread aluminum....

 

[rfl]

I have used Helicoil kits on nothing but aluminum; highest torque I put on them was ~75 lbs. Never had a failure even on maintenance components that get taken apart frequently.

 

[Twizzler09]

That's good to know! My main concern is that the drain plug doesn't spin in all the way, but it doesn't leak either. At least not that I've seen so far

 

[FritzTKatt]

Why not just tap the pan out to the next size up? It's only a plug...

 

[hank857]

there are self tapping plugs available, easier than a helicoil and just as lasting. Some even have a smaller drain plug so you dont even have to worry about the aluminum pan again. Just put one in wifes honda and at last oil change had to remove to put new gasket on as old one broke! Also put permatex 2 on to keep plug from leaking. I think it cost me less than $5 for the plug.

 

[Twizzler09]

I probably will just end up tapping it out to the next size the next time I'm under there. Not used to having problems with the aluminum pans, my old Ranger never had this issue, but then again this *was* owned by someone who didn't really know what they were doing....