Installing tranny pan drain plug, can I weld it in?

[Todd82TA]

Hey guys,

I recently purchased a tranny drain plug kit from Summit Racing. It's the #4470 "Oil Drain Plug for Transmission & Oil Pans" kit from Mr. Gasket Co.

It basically comes with a threaded piece that goes through the pan, then a nut that goes on the other side, a gasket which goes on one side, and then the threaded plug.

I'm a bit nervous about installing something like this because I wonder about what might happen if the nut manages to back out. There's no sort of safety wire, or anything that would prevent it from backing out. I was wondering, has anyone installed one of these and actually welded it in?

I have a 120v flux core mig welder, and I'm pretty decent with it (or so I'd like to think). I've been able to weld in patch panels on an old TransAm, and I was able to weld stainless steel bolts to a chrome plated valve cover so I could attach wire looms to them on an Olds 455 (in picture below).

Anyone see any problem with me welding the bung in? I figured I would install it properly, (without the gasket) and then install the nut as well, and then weld both sides... or maybe just spot-weld the outside in a few places, but completely weld-through the nut to the pan.


Thanks!

Todd

 

[BrooklynBay]

I've soldered a 1/2" X 20 nut inside of the pan, and it is very strong without any leaks. I have a thread on how to install leak proof drain plugs. Check # 75 in my list of useful threads for more information: http://explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206353

 

[Maniak]

I've heard of people brazing them on, but never "welding". Also, IIRC, there is a nylon washer thing on the inside. If your gonna weld/braze it that nylon won't be happy..

We have a threaded one in ours. I used locktite on it and we actually ground down the jamb nut and the threaded part since I was using ours for a sending unit mount and drain plug. By grinding it down some more of the sending unit is in the trans fluid..

Our has been there for about 90k miles.. So far, so good, BUT, its in our trans pan.. I can get to it easily if it ever does get loose.

~Mark

 

[Todd82TA]

Awesome!!! Thanks guys!

Thanks for the link Brooklyn, I appreciate it.

 

[Glacier991]

All that said.... nothing wrong with MIG welding one in if yer comfortable with the thin sheet metal portion of it.

 

[gijoecam]

I'd either use some loctite on the nut inside the pan, or if you like safety wire, safety-wire the nut to the threaded portion. It can be done just fine with a couple small drill bits.

 

[SuRrEaLNJ]

i used a thredable one, then had it brazzed in place so it couldnt back out