Oil filler tube removal

[John D.]

Today I learned a new way (for us) to remove stubborn oil filler tubes. I am working on an early 63 FI that requires a black painted oil filler tube.
The customers baseplate aka intake had a minty chrome plated one. For the last month or so my helper and I have been messing around with this tube trying to get it out without ruining it.
Finally last week I told him to just trash the tube and get it out and pitch it. Told him to make sure he did not hurt the customers baseplate.

He and I tried all the various ways of getting the tube out. Clamping the baseplate in a 30 Ton press. Using Aero Kroil big time. Lots of heat. Heated the aluminum and tried and tried but the tube wouldn't budge. Someone had pounded it in as far is it would go.

So this morning here is how my helper got the tube out using a new method that he learned from a machine shop.
Laid the baseplate upside down on the workbench. He heated the inside of bottom of the chrome tube until it was cherry red. Then using a thick leather glove he went to yank on the tube and guess what happened. The tube popped out and hit the rubber mat on the floor. Popped right out!!!!!
Impressed the crap out of me as one would think heating the tube would expand it. So from now on we are removing all of the oil filler tubes using that method. Heating the extreme bottom inside of the tube. Yes the baseplate/intake has to be off the engine.

By the way the minty tube was not damaged at all.

CRC no freeze stuff didn't work either. Nothing worked until the new trick above. JD

[Marco H.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

John,
I always appreciate you sharing new tricks with us. It is very helpful to have them in the "Tool Box".
Thanks,
Marco

[Joe L.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

Today I learned a new way (for us) to remove stubborn oil filler tubes. I am working on an early 63 FI that requires a black painted oil filler tube.
The customers baseplate aka intake had a minty chrome plated one. For the last month or so my helper and I have been messing around with this tube trying to get it out without ruining it.
Finally last week I told him to just trash the tube and get it out and pitch it. Told him to make sure he did not hurt the customers baseplate.

He and I tried all the various ways of getting the tube out. Clamping the baseplate in a 30 Ton press. Using Aero Kroil big time. Lots of heat. Heated the aluminum and tried and tried but the tube wouldn't budge. Someone had pounded it in as far is it would go.

So this morning here is how my helper got the tube out using a new method that he learned from a machine shop.
Laid the baseplate upside down on the workbench. He heated the inside of bottom of the chrome tube until it was cherry red. Then using a thick leather glove he went to yank on the tube and guess what happened. The tube popped out and hit the rubber mat on the floor. Popped right out!!!!!
Impressed the crap out of me as one would think heating the tube would expand it. So from now on we are removing all of the oil filler tubes using that method. Heating the extreme bottom inside of the tube. Yes the baseplate/intake has to be off the engine.

By the way the minty tube was not damaged at all.

CRC no freeze stuff didn't work either. Nothing worked until the new trick above. JD

JD------


It's not surprising, at all, that it worked. The coefficient of expansion of aluminum is a lot greater than the coefficient of expansion of steel. So, when you heat the steel tube, the same heat is transferred to the aluminum orifice. However, the aluminum expands to a greater degree than the steel tube. So, out it comes.

There is a risk, though. Heating the aluminum like this can have "unexpected and undesirable consequences".

[Ruedi K.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

I have a chrome one on my 63 327/300. Know I need the black one. Will do this with the intake out. Thanks for the tips.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

I have had to replace my tube on my L-76 several times as the air tube spun loose. With the manifold on the car, I just used a slide hammer with a tool that engaged the lip for the cap. Came out easy. Going back in has a danger if one ever uses a hammer and a wood block - you can go one pound too much and crack the aluminum manifold. Don't ask me how I know.

Stu Fox

[John D.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

JD------


It's not surprising, at all, that it worked. The coefficient of expansion of aluminum is a lot greater than the coefficient of expansion of steel. So, when you heat the steel tube, the same heat is transferred to the aluminum orifice. However, the aluminum expands to a greater degree than the steel tube. So, out it comes.

There is a risk, though. Heating the aluminum like this can have "unexpected and undesirable consequences".

Joe, Just logged on and read your reply. Ironically that's just what I have been thinking about all mornin while working. Heating the oil filler tube until cherry red is a rather scary thing to do guys as far as destroying the intake. On second though I think I will tell my helper to reserve this method just for the rare oil filler tubes and not try it on the 57 to 62 as the repros are readily available.
Thanks

[John D.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

Ruedi, Try other means first and leave my new "trick" for last resort. John