EGR plug missing

[CMFG43]

so a few days ago i was driving home and my ranger immediately got really loud, no power and it sounded like the exhaust manifold broke on the drivers side. so i pull over and look, it was dark so i couldnt see much but long story short the plug/large bolt that is on the drivers side exhaust manifold of my 2.9 that im guessing is the EGR delete plug is completely gone, not broken, it backed out and fell out at some point, ive gone back to try to find it and no luck. my question is, is there anyway to just get another plug for the hole or do you have to buy a new manifold to get that. i ask because the manifold is new and it came with one, but in days of looking around on the internet i cant seem to just find the plug by itself. i can weld over it or something if need be, but id rather have the correct plug in that hole. any insight would be greatly appreciated, with winter here id really rather drive my truck around than my mustang, thanks

 

[RonD]

I had an old truck, not a Ranger, that had a EGR port on the exhaust manifold.
It had an expansion plug in the hole, like a "freeze plug", it rusted out and I just pounded a new one in.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

If it is threaded it is probably just a standard pipe thread 50cents at a hardware store. Make sure its NPT taper pipe plug.

 

[AllanD]

it is not a standard thread, that would be too easy....

What I would recommend is seeking another exhaust manifold that doesn't have a plug.

The 88-up 2.9 exhaust manifolds are not "plugged" they were simply never drilled, thus no plug to rust or work loose later...

 

[enjr44]

it is not a standard thread, that would be too easy....

...

Well, it is a thread of some standard. Ford didn't invent a new thread size just for the EGR valve tube. You just have to find one, junk yard or whatever.

 

[jeremysdad]

What Ford did do, was utilize NPT.

Step 1: Try to fit your pinky in there. Nogo? That's a 1/8 NPT.

Step 8: DO NOT UTILIZE YOUR 'WINKIE' TO SIZE THE HOLE! You'd probably get mad cause...NPT sizes can kinda be dicks. lol

You do know what a go/nogo gauge is, yeah?

 

[jeremysdad]

I would guess it's a 3/8 NPT.

If I had to guess.