00m12 issue- stripped oil galley plug

[mahie023]

in my attempt to resolve the 00m12 issues, i stripped the original oil galley plug. i had thought my torx bit was up to par but apparently it wasn't... the plug itself is stripped pretty good. tried tapping, and T35 and T40. i gave up after a few hours. its too crowded in there to really get a good position for anything. adding to my misery, ECT Sensor broke in half as i was putting it back in...
but here's my questions:

1. any suggestions with that plug?

2. hypothetically- if i can't get the plug out- can i still use the NEW chain tensioner without the plastic pencil(included in kit)


tia

 

[CDW6212R]

You do need both, unless there is a check valve in there from a previous time. Mine had one already, but the tensioner was weak. I cannot recall if that was a torx or allen tool needed. Try to not have to drill through it, it isn't very long. Try to use the left handed thread easy out tools. Good luck,

 

[mahie023]

how would i go abouts checking if i've had a "check valve from before"? would that be a previous plastic pencil?

 

[gijoecam]

If you have an original 98 motor, you should need the oil gallery volume reducer installed.

To get the plug out, pick up an EZ-out and the appropriately-sized drill bit. You may need to remove the thermostat housing to gain enough clearance for a drill bit in there.

As a note: Be VERY careful when attempting to remove the temp sensor from the housing. The brass insert that it's threaded into is not very robust, and once it's broken, there's no fixing it. The housing is not available separately, and a new housing assembly (which includes the elbow, thermostat, housing, gasket to go against the block, and both sensors) runs $250.

-Joe