I was just starting my motor for the first time, when oil came gushing out where the oil pressure sending unit goes ( front left of a 454 ). truns out there was a brass plug broken inside. I tryed to use a easy out to clear the hole but I made two hair line cracks, one on top and a small one on bottom. Some of the brass plug is still inside. Can a machine shop weld this back together and plug the hole? And please tell me I dont have to take the motor back out!

Front left? Never saw the oil pressure sending unit there. Over the oil filter is the normal location. What is in the front right is a pipe plug that allows access to the main bearing oil galley that runs the full length of the block, with plugs by each main. These are used to drill the oil passages.

Now for the problem, if you cracked the block above and below the hole, and part of the plug is still in the hole, you are in deep trouble. I don't know how a shop is going to get to that to think about fixing it.

Take it out would be my suggestion, you can wait just a little longer and this fix is best done out of the car, assuming it can be fixed.

Here is what I can't figure out, if you had the block cleaned, new freeze plugs, new block plugs and you paid for this, why was this plug left out or broken??? I have seen Mr BillK and company sweat over these damn plugs before the block goes in the oven.

So what is the deal??

[This message has been edited by Wally (edited 06-27-99).]

[This message has been edited by Wally (edited 06-27-99).]

Without looking at it myself and depending on how large the cracks are. I would try drilling oversize( enough to get the cracks ) tapping and installing a new plug. Try to avoid a pipe tap as they are tapered and may make the situtation worse.
Harley

I had the block machined and cleaned and the guy gave it a clean bill of health. I did not install the motor for a couple of months ( time thing I'm in the Army ). But now who's fault is it? I't was me tryed the easy out. If the car was on a lift do you think it could be reached?

On my 454, the oil pressure sender is installed behind the distributer , right below the intake, right where the tranny bolts up. Is this a good location?

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JoeS
"67 Malibu"


[This message has been edited by Joe454 (edited 06-27-99).]

Dog,
Without seeing the block it is very difficult for anyone to tell you what the best course of action would be. You should let the machine shop know about the problem, if for no other reason so that they wont do it again. Ask them for thier suggestions, even though you should have stopped and waited they should hopefully want to try and help. It may be fixable without removing the motor from the car, my only concern would be getting all the metal out of the hole after the repair. Ask your machine shop if they can recommend a shop with a lift that they feel can do the job properly. We have several shops that we recommend customers for problems like this.
My only other question is, like Wally said, the usual place for a Big Block oil sender is in the rear above the oil filter ? Wht up front ?

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Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

1971 Heavy Chevy - original owner
Team Chevelle #100

The guy that did the work is going to come over tomarow and take a look. The hole is on the front lower left side of the block. Left as if you were sitting in the in the drivers seat. I think thats were you you can put the oil pressure gage? Somebody put something there that broke and was brass.

oops

[This message has been edited by Joe454 (edited 06-27-99).]

oops x2

[This message has been edited by Joe454 (edited 06-27-99).]

I am thinking thats where a water temp sender would go. but ,that hole is more to the middle of the block than lower and you said oil came out so, thats probably not right.

[This message has been edited by Joe454 (edited 06-27-99).]