[TR] Aluminum Head Plug

[Benjamin Zwissler]

Terry,

Loctite also makes a "thread sealant" I bought some at a local store -
don't remember which one.  I used it on some bolts that penetrate the
water jacket on my TR8 but haven't started it yet to see if it works.
I've also used the old Permatex #2 non-hardening stuff but that's
messy.

Ben....

On Mon, Mar 31, 2014 at 2:00 PM,  <triumphs-request at autox.team.net> wrote:
> Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:22:16 +0000 (UTC)
> From: terryrs at comcast.net
> To: triumphs at autox.team.net
> Subject: [TR] Aluminum Head Plug
> Message-ID:
>
<2044434840.815847.1396210936054.JavaMail.root at sz0059a.westchester.pa.mail.co
mcast.net>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Hello everyone.  It took some doing, but I managed to tap, drill and pry out
the leaking aluminum plug on top of the TR3A head.
>
> Thought the worst was over.
>
> I used a copper brush in my drill to clean the threads, put the new plug in
the freezer and applied some gentle propane heat around the hole.
>
> I tried gasket seal on the threads but I think it made a tight situation
worse, creating too much drag.  Got it maybe a quarter of the way down before
the soft aluminum started tearing.  , tested it, and it leaked.  Now have
removed it again.
>
> So, sensing I would bugger one up, I had ordered two of these little plugs.
>
> Somebody on the List mentioned using Lock-Tite on the threads.  That would
make sense, it's a liquid lubricant for the threads until it sets.  But would
it seal well enough to keep water leaking out?  Am wincing rather severely at
the thought of a leaking plug installed with Lock Tite!  Is there a better
alternative?
>
> Has anybody replaced it with a hex bolt, or are the threads too weird?
>
> Terry Smith, '59 TR3A
> New Hampshire