Best Sealer for T-Case Drain Plug?

[my98nnj]

Last week I noticed a few spots on my driveway. A quick glance under the truck and I see the drain plug for the T-Case is all wet. I got my socket on there, gave it a pull and it was indeed lose. Cranked it about a turn tighter, wiped it clean and thought all was good. This morning I had a huge mess in my driveway. The drain plug was dripping pretty good. Took the plug out, drained the T-Case, wrapped some teflon tape on the plug and went to put it in. That's when I noticed the CRACK. Right under the plug it's a hair crack. WTF?? How does that happen?

I've got it all cleaned up and JB Weld on it right now. What should I use on the plug itself when I put it back in? I always used teflon tape, but now I'm thinking I'm going to need something like RTV sealant?? What about the possibility of JB Welding the plug right into the T-Case? Not like I'm going to change the oil again for the life of the truck.

Ideas? Suggestions? I can get a used T-Case, sucks because my T-case only has 80K on it and I'm sure of the mileage on the used T-Case.
BTW - It's 100 Degrees here in NJ, not happy working on the truck in this hot steamy NJ Weather...

 

[Maniak]

The plug is using NPT. Thats a tapered thread and usually nothing goes on them. You can put a "little" tefllon tape/sealant but its not needed.

Since the case is cracked its not really going to seal since the more you tighten the plug the more it opens the crack.

I don't know if anyone has actually fixed a cracked case. IIRC they are aluminum so welding to them isn't exactly easy. I'm not even sure if JBweld will seal the crack.

~Mark

Edit: This thread might help...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=165723

 

[my98nnj]

Thanks for the link. I'm going to JB Weld the plug into the case after the initial coating on the crack dries. If I get a year or two out of it I'll be happy as can be!

 

[bluestream1]

That pipe thread drain plug may split the case more open if you put it in too tight.

No advantage to using the JB on the drain plug, just use some teflon tape or pipe dope (Portland cement & SAE 30 motor oil)