Is there an easy way to pull the gearbox blug?

I'm in the garage trying to figure out how to pull the gearbox filler plug (73, top of tunnel). Do I have to unscrew it, or just pull it straight up? Any tricks other than Beer?

Thanks.

Russ

Been beaten to death here many times. Slip a fat zip tie through the loop and use a screwdriver shaft through it above the tunnel opening to lift/lever the dip stick out. When you do get it out clean it all up and lube the fool out of the rubber ring with grease so it will come out more easily the next time. Leave the zip tie in place, in fact put two of them on, both being the same length. BTW: The oil level should be checked with the car on a horizontal surface with the dip stick pushed fully home.

Jack

You mean the dipstick?

It's usually stuck in there pretty well. If I can't just wiggle it out, I have resorted to bending a small piece of coat hanger to form a hook, then grab the hanger with a pair of vice grips and pull up, leveraging it out.

Sounds ridiculous but it has worked for me.

Dan

Grabbed the zip ties from the house...time to give it another shot....here we go!
Russ

OK Russ,

That is enough time to get it out. Did you do it??

OK, broke 2 sets of zip ties. There must be another way. Is it just a straight lift up or any twisting needed. Also, do you guys remove the radio console to get a better angle?

Straight lift, removing the console didnt help me

Wow, it is in there good! Try rotating it to loosen the seal, then try the given methods again. It does come straight out vertically. You should not have to take the console out.

Mike

Not yet. It's in there like a swim suit! I'm going to try 4 zip ties...round 3!

Cheap Zipties. Try and fish a piece of string/cord through the hole. Something that won't break!

Not zip ties....wire ties...nylon...ou can't break 'em

put a hook in a nice strong piece of coat hanger or bend a hook in a long skiny screw driiver and hook it and twist and pull strait up all at once.

olparatrooper Wrote:

coat hanger...................

WOW! What's holding that in so tight?

35 years of crud, probably!

You can assume the car is waiting for Russ' hand to be in a position where, when it lets go, it will do maximum damage to his knuckles.

I uses a tent peg and a vice grip because the hanger kept bending but I got there in the end, Mind your knuckles though!

Did it! it took 5 zip ties with a metal pry bar to get it out. The oil was pretty black after draining, so it likely was quite some time since the last unplug.

And yes Greg, my knuckles don't look so good. I thought my gloves would help, they just helped absorb the flesh/blood. Tomorrow I'll fill it. I think I need to pickup some clear tubing as there is Slim to no room back there...Slim left town!

Any ideas for filling, bottle with flex tube, other?

Long funnel as used for automatic transmissions. And pick up a turkey baster at the $1 store for when you accidentally put too much in!

Good! You got it out! Now, before you go any further do this.

Slip the plunger back in a little and use something to wash down the area around the plug opening. There is probably a good deal of sand and dirt and whatever sitting close by and it would be a shame to knock it into the transmission when you go to stick the funnel or tube back in the hole. Using up a full can of carb cleaner might seem like a waste but the five bucks is a lot less expensive than replacing bearings.

Jack

Russ Johnston Wrote:

I believe the easiest way is to remove the transmission from the car.......much easier to fill as well.

I have a $2 plastic funnel with a long, flexible neck on it, corrugated like a hospital drinking straw. Hanging it up is wise as it drains slow as molasses. My plug goes and and out pretty easily though, snug and secure, but removeable with one hand easily.

Russ Johnston Wrote:

I had it done at my regular "Quick Lube" spot when I had my oil changed at one point. No bloody knuckles, no cursing, no special tools..... No Problem. Of course, the owner of the shop, and Stingray collector, is the only one who works on my LBC's.

Paul

Sounds like the plug you have is different from the one that came with my 68. Mine was a rubber plug with no handle or ring ~ you just had to pry it out. Mine was at first hard to get out because the rubber had hardened from heat and age. I finally had to break it up to get it out, and replaced it with a large plastic Caplug.

Old,hardened or swollen rubber plugs need to be simply replaced as they seldom are worth a damn anyway. Some I've had to remove from cars have softened from exposure to gas and oil to a point where they are essentially glued in place by melted rubber. Could be what you are facing here.