What is this hole?

[juttybird]

This hole didn’t have anything in it when I tore down the engine, and it appears to go directly into the crankcase where the distributor drives the oil pump. It is right behind the mechanical fuel pump (or block off, as in the picture). What is it, and how do I block it off?

Thanks,
Justin

 

[ihpartsjeff]

It's the dipstick hole for front sump oil pans.

 

[juttybird]

I have two dipsticks!? Do I need both?

 

[Scoutboy74]

No, not both. You use the one that is best suited for the vehicle application, which has not yet been disclosed. If this engine is for a Scout II, you use the side location through the dual sump oil pan and plug the hole in your picture. These engines were designed to be installed in multiple platforms, requiring different configurations in some case.

 

[juttybird]

It is a Scout II. I looked for standard ways to plug it and didn't see a consensus. I am thinking I will just tap it and plug it with a bolt and some threadlocker. Dammit, I really dont want to take the oil pan off again...

Thanks for your help. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

 

[Scoutboy74]

I seem to recall that a tapered rubber or cork stopper can be driven in. There is no pressure pushing against it internally. All you need is to keep debris from getting inside. I'd pursue any possibility ahead of sending metal fragments down the hole.

 

[ihpartsjeff]

No need to tap threads and pull the oil pan. Factory used a machined steel plug to block the hole. An IH pushrod fits perfectly in the hole. If you have an old one laying around, cut it down to about 1.5", put a little sealant on it and tap into hole.

 

[juttybird]

Unfortunately I do not have a pushrod laying around. I want to do something cleaner and more durable than a rubber/cork plug. I will figure something out. I can probably put a screw in with some sealant without tapping it.

Other ideas welcome.

 

[Robert Kenney]

On one that I rebuilt for a IH fan, I machined a plug and grooved it for an oring pressed it in. No reason you can't fine a piece or metal the correct size and silicone it in.

 

[juttybird]

On one that I rebuilt for a IH fan, I machined a plug and grooved it for an oring pressed it in. No reason you can't fine a piece or metal the correct size and silicone it in.

Great idea! Oh, how I wish I had a lathe... and a mill... and a welder... If I had an entire car manufacturing plant to myself, I might be happy...

I had an idea, but I like yours better. Might try that first. If not, I have a stainless button head Allen bolt that slides in easily. I was gonna put a thin layer of shellac on the threads, let it dry, then put jb weld on top of that and put it in the hole. Thought being that once the jb-weld dries, the bolt could more easily be removed if you needed to for some reason. But I'm gonna try the o-ring plug route first.

 

[Zaedster]

Great idea! Oh, how I wish I had a lathe... and a mill... and a welder... If I had an entire car manufacturing plant to myself, I might be happy...

I had an idea, but I like yours better. Might try that first. If not, I have a stainless button head Allen bolt that slides in easily. I was gonna put a thin layer of shellac on the threads, let it dry, then put jb weld on top of that and put it in the hole. Thought being that once the jb-weld dries, the bolt could more easily be removed if you needed to for some reason. But I'm gonna try the o-ring plug route first.

I have a factory plug laying around from a old project. PM me and we'll work something out.