63 oil pan plug

[John D.]

I know we had a 100 posts on oil pan plugs but as usual I probably didn't read all of them.
My 63 FI car has an original plug with a logo of "A with a circle. But I was told it should be an "M".
I do recall in mega posts here on the old forum that there were at least 3 correct plugs. I seem to remember Clupper saying the F-C and A were two of them. So what is the scoop on the "M" plug. I never even saw one of those. What years was the "M" plug used on? The info is in the new 5th so it must be common knowledge.

[Jack H.]

Re: 63 oil pan plug

We were laughing about this the other day! The new text of the '63-64 JG calls for an M head and doesn't say 'one known supplier is'....as do other JG books. Also, it calls for 3/4-inch and the way the text is written, it literally says the 'M' is 3/4-inch versus the hex of the plug!

Anyway you look at it the new guideline is a joke because these plugs had 7/8-inch hex and there were MANY qualified suppliers including TR, A (early is without the circle while later is with the circle), F-C, and L.

Can you imagine the guys at the Flint engine plant cleaning out and 'quarranting' last year's 327 oil pan plugs after the end of 1962 production so that only M-head bolts were in inventory to coincide with the start of 1963 production? Even better, imagine they hand selected M-head oil pan drain plugs just for Corvette engines!

I have to believe any judge that insists each and every '63-64 Corvette MUST have an M-head oil pan plug, and it's 3/4-inch (whether that's the size of the hex or the size of the embossed M) needs to collect himself and and take a long hard look in the mirror!!!!

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 oil pan plug

John....

UR confused again my friend.. It's not a "M" it's a "W". Just like the one on the Dipstick....

tc

[Patrick H.]

Re: 63 oil pan plug

I have to believe any judge that insists each and every '63-64 Corvette MUST have an M-head oil pan plug, and it's 3/4-inch (whether that's the size of the hex or the size of the embossed M) needs to collect himself and and take a long hard look in the mirror!!!!

Apparently we need to bring Jack's special mirrors along to our judging events because this type of this is not an uncommon occurrence. The judges obviously didn't use this special mirror when judging John's car recently, and I know I've witnessed/seen/heard of plenty of examples like this.

Patrick

[John D.]

Re: 63 oil pan plug

John....

UR confused again my friend.. It's not a "M" it's a "W". Just like the one on the Dipstick....

tc

Yeah I agree Crisler. JD is easily confused. Do you have nice extra "M" plug.??? Any logo will do though. Reminds me of our own Duke here saying any brand will do. I thought there was more than one oil plug for an old 63. Now I can relax. Hey I just got the "A" oil pan plug to quit ouzing Rotella and then I found out the "A" was a fake. At least the chassis judge didn't have a chew in his mouth.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 oil pan plug

Is there any difference between the 5 quart pan and the 4 quart pan in this regard?

Mine is the 5 quart, but I striped out the old plug long ago and went with a self tapper. It is tapered and has a number of saw cuts, and uses a nylon washer (certainly not Kosher). This last Rottela change I forgot the washer, but is still oil tight. I had a Corvette shop in Illinois drop the pan in the early 90's to remove an off road dent and replace the rear seal. They were supposed to have changed the drain fitting/plug as well, but they only charged me for it, Ha! (yes, I've been worked over a number of times too).

Stu Fox

[Rick A.]

Re: 63 oil pan plug

orgie on my 1963 Z06 is an A inside a circle

[Wayne M.]

Re: 63 oil pan plug

....because these plugs had 7/8-inch hex and there were MANY qualified suppliers including TR, A (early is without the circle while later is with the circle), F-C, and L.

Not trying to hijack thread, but here's a 7/8" hex with magnet. Do the 3 punch (dimples) indicate the magnet, whereas absent the 3 dimples means w/o magnet ?

[John D.]

Re: 63 oil pan plug

Wayne, Do I hi-jack ur posts!!! Just kidding. Nice photo. I never sausage a thing as your plug. Weird looking thing. REally a neat plug with the extended end. If it really is a magnet plug and you filled in the three dimples the plug with look like the real deal. JD

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 oil pan plug

John;

Put me down for at least one. What ya gonna charge an old nemisis like me?

Stu Fox