Drain plug missing from sump plate on my 73

[Shuie]

My 1973 911T does not have a oil drain plug on the engine sump plate. Engine case is a 7R, if that matters.

I did a search on this and found some posts about how the drain plug was moved from the sump plate on the later Carreras. I re-read the chapter in 101 projects and saw the same thing. I didnt find anything saying it should be this way on my car.

Should there should be a drain plug on the sump plate of my 73?



This is on the left hand side of the case a little forward of the sump plate. Has the case been drilled and later filled here with the orange stuff? If this is s a hackjob, what kind of damage has been potentially been done to the case here?



Im getting ready to disassemble the car and start a complete rebuild. Since the engine will be out of commission for a good while, I want to drain the oil and get it up on a stand. If the case has been ruined, I dont want to waste my time.

If this is all normal, how do I drain the old oil from the engine sump?

Any help is appreciated.

[Bob's Flat-Six]

Shuie
I have that style on my SC and it was put on by NARW a reputable shop. Because of it's sump shape you have a little more oil where it's picked up.
It gets removed anyway in a service so you just have a little more oil to deal with but you won't have a leak from an oil plug I think it's a Porsche part ?
Don't know about the orange stuff.

[makaio]

Just like Bob said, it's a factory part, just no provisions for a plug. You can purchase one with a plug though.

I have no idea what the orange thing is either.

[Jim Sims]

The original '73 engine came with a sump plate containing a drain plug. It is likely sometime in the engine's past the plate was damaged by either overtightening the nuts that secure it to the case, jacking on it, stripping the plug or hitting something on the ground. The newer plates are like the one you currently have. I do believe the plates that contain the drain plug are NLA from Porsche. There is an aftermarket source that makes an equivalent one machined from aluminum that contains a drain plug and also fins which aid a little in cooling the oil. To drain, remove the the nuts and washers and pull off the sump plate with a big pan available to catch the oil. You will need two sump plate gaskets to reseal; there is an oil pickup screen in the grip of the studs so to seal it on both sides one needs the second gasket. Do not overtighten the nuts!

Under the orange compound shown in one of the pictures there is a plug that is sealed at the factory with some type of epoxy like compound. The orignal epoxy probably began leaking oil and a the PO or his mechanic attempted a seal with orange gasket sealer? In the process of doing a proper engine rebuild one will scrape off the epoxy, clean this area with brake cleaner and reapply a coating of a loaded epoxy like "JB Weld". Unless there is evidence of physical damage or the plug is completely loose I wouldn't worry about this issue. Cheers, Jim

[gjp1960]

I have a different sump plate on my 1973 - flatter and with a drain plug. No help though, because it is stuck in place.

When I change the oil, I drain as much as I can out of the normal drain before I drop the sump plate. You will find about 1 quart of oil behind it, so be prepared. I find it handy to take the lid of a Rubbermaid bin and put it on the floor to catch the oil as it drains around the plate. Keep some paper towel handy too.

Hope this helps.

[Shuie]

OK, I feel better. Thanks guys.

Perhaps the PO had the engine rebuilt and updated to a Carrera oil pump? I'm not sure that can be done to a '73, but maybe. That pump requires the sump plate that you have. You'll know immediately if that's the case when you eventually remove the plate. The Carrera pump has an integral, domed screen that fits the inside contour of the plate. Earlier pumps had a screen that was somewhat cylindrical and was also removable. (Handy feature when you dropped a chain ramp inside the engine!)

On my '77, with the updated pump, I don't drain the sump when I change the oil. I did for a while, but it's a real PITA. I rigged-up a kill switch to the ignition. While the engines running, I pull the drain plug from the tank, wait a second or two, and hit the switch to kill the engine. That way there's virtually no oil left in the crankcase to worry about.

Regards,
Ed Cavalier

[ischmitz]

The early-style sump plates with drain plugs are simply NLA (not longer available). Our host amongst others sells aftermarket billet aluminum sump plates with drain plug. It makes life less messy when changing oil.

When I stripped the drain plug in my original sump plate (74) I had to get myself one of those you have. It works.

is