7.3L Oil Galley Plug

[LorneCCI]

I have a 1997 7.3l with about 100,000 miles on it. It developed an oil leak last week and I took it back to the dealer I bought it at 3 months ago. They diagnosed it as coming from the the Oil Galley Plug at the top rear of the engine. They were unable to remove the plug - they claim someone previously must have tried and partially stripped the 1/2" socket hole. I'm suspicious they did it as it has been dry for the 3 months I've owned it. I bought a new plug and decided to try and remove it myself.

I assumed the dealer wasn't trying very hard but after a couple of hours with the help of a friend I wasn't able to remove it either. Is there a special tool for it?

I've tried using a 5' bar over top of the rachet but we can't get it to stop twisting when we apply presure. I've tried using a block of wood to keep the rachet in place but so far nothing has worked.

[Ditty]

I'd say try to get a bolt remover tool in there (like a reverse thread drill bit) and pull it out.

[tlh]

I currently have the same problem, the oil galley plug on the drivers side top rear of the engine is leaking pretty good. How can you get this out, is there a special tool? Did you get your's out? Do you just go get another one from a parts store or can you re-seal the old one up? Please let me know.

Thanks,

TLH

[cleaco]

Might have to pull the head for that problem.tlh, 1/2" drive ratchet will fit the plug.New plug is less than $10 at the dealer.Try heating the plug with a pencil torch,might be locktight on it.I would even try to weld alarge nut to the plug if you can get a mig torch in there.

[wvanderp]

Have a 95 F250 7.3 with same problem. Spent a full day trying to get driver side rear plug out. Finally removed heat shield foil from firewall, removed carpet on interior firewall, drilled small pilot hole through firewall roughly in line lower edge of dash, enlarged to fit 1/2 inch extension through hole, and with minimal effort with breaker bar was able to remove plug. A piece of cake, and duct tape over hole and carpet re-installed, looks good as new. Hope this works for you.

[SCUFFY828]

there is no special tool just 1/2 inch ratchet, they can be a ***** when they get stuck, may have to pull head to fix but i would make that a last resort

[wrangleryj44]

i have another problem with a 2000 f250 7.3 blowing the oil out below the turbo can you explain

[tweener]

Use a air hammer with a chisel tip.....You gotts use a GOOD LONG THROW air hammer.....get a good notch cut in the edge of it, with a sharp cheisel. rotating it counterclockwise....then install a DULL cheisel, and it should break it right loose.

I have used this trick on at least 100 or more frozen and stripped out fasteners at my shop.....the Air hammer actually has more torque than my IR2131 does....as long as you can get at it....I think you can get it out this way....obviously will require a new plug when done....a little heat in the plug won't hurt either.....