Oil galley plug question

[cp]

I pulled the pan on my 302 the other day to fix a leak and found one of the 1/2" freeze plugs in the bottom of the pan. How big of a problem is this? It's been runin fine, good oil pressure, no weird noise, no smoke, doesn't over heat etc etc...As far as i can remember, there are only two or three plugs right? Behind the timing gear? I know how to fix it, just would like to know how long it can run like this before something bad happens. I dont even know how long it's been out.

 

[fordmike1]

I would not run the engine with out it in there myself. If its bee running good like that then great but I would get it back in as soon as you can. I alway tap them holes out and put pipe plugs in them.

 

[lazy_one_1]

with that plug gone it will limit the oil pressure and volume to one or both of the lifter galleries

 

[baddad457]

I'd pull the timing cover off and find out where that plug came from.