Correct oil pan drain plug for '68 BB

[nuch_ss396]

I'm putting on the finishing touches to my '69 BB restoration and I have a fast question.

Can anyone here post an image of an original BB oil pan drain bolt?  I've seen a few on eBay recently
but I don't know what the "correct" one liiked like in terms of head marking(s) or style of head.

Did GM use a nylon-type washer originally?

Lastly, does anyone make a "correct" reproduction in leiu of an original one if I can't find one?

Thanks,
Steve

[Pacecarjeff]

You should find the larger 7/8ths head with an "circled A" on it.  ("M" is correct also)
I looked through my Corvette Catalogs, and I don't see anyone making a repro version.
I also looked through my supply of drain plugs, and I did not find a correct one for you either.

Good luck, it is going to be difficult. I see them on eBay every now and then, but they get expensive.

I never really took those from the yards, I felt guilty about letting the oil run out on to the ground.
Quite a few people have asked me over the years for those.

Lucky my cars have the original ones still installed.

Long Island Corvette Supply has the right size, but no mention of head marking - $2.50 (likley meaning it is not correct)

[RJ_RS_SS_350]

Looks like there's one on eBay now.  You weren't kidding about being pricey, Jeff  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4651220126

[JohnZ]

They're 7/8" across the hex flats, 1/4" thick, and "A", "L", "TR", and "M" were used interchangeably.

[Pacecarjeff]

7/8ths - Thats what i meant - thanks John!!

[nuch_ss396]

Thanks guys!

That's what I needed to know.

Steve

[copo]

Did the 69 BB and SB use this drain plug ?

[JohnZ]

Did the 69 BB and SB use this drain plug ?

Yes. The later drain plug (smaller 9/16" hex, flanged head) showed up in '70 or '71, I believe.

[copo]

Thanks John,   My 69 Camaro has the later style drain plug. I will be looking for the correct one now.

[JohnZ]

Thanks John,   My 69 Camaro has the later style drain plug. I will be looking for the correct one now.

Don't hold me to that (large-head plug on 69's) - I know Corvettes used the 7/8" drain plug at least through '68, but I'm not positive when it changed after that. My original 02D '69 Z/28 has the 9/16" hex plug with the flanged head.

[Pacecarjeff]

After taking some time to look, I discovered that these same plugs were also used as transmission pan plugs on many of the early passsenger cars.
I collected a few different head markings last week. (I pulled the back seats, let the fluid soak into the fabric)

I don't feel as guilty about grabing them anymore,
after seeing what they are now selling for.

[nuch_ss396]

Looks like there's one on eBay now.  You weren't kidding about being pricey, Jeff  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4651220126

Did you guys ever notice how things like this have price cycles?  Seems like we address something here, then all of a sudden eBay is alive
with drain plugs.  I'll wait until the price comes down to a reasonable place.  I just can't justify paying $75+ for an original drain plug.

Steve

[Tinkerr]

I found a TR drain plug this weekend in a boneyard,it was in of all things a mid 60's medium duty flatbed truck,not the real large ones,like the older ones you see on farms. It had a inline six cylinder,plug was in great shape and so was the gasket. If I visit again I may look for more there were a number of  medium duty Chevy/GMC buses and trucks.