It’s Too Long

I am wondering what tool you people use to remove the oil drain plug on a vintage CC. I removed mine once and I was apparently more flexible then. Since then I have been using a vacuum device to suck the oil out through the dipstick. My boat has been out of the water since before Ike and the oil is ugly. I would very much like to do a complete drain, refill, and drain again.

Last night my frustration lead me to start thinking about where my 3" hole saw was located so I could bore a hole through bottom of the boat right under the drain plug. I decided I am not good enough with fiberglass to repair it.

I have determined that the drain plug requires a 7/8" wrench or socket. 12 points is a must because of the confined space.

My 1/2" ratchet is too long. My 3/8" ratchet is too short. Anyone try a flexible extension? What about ratchet wrenches?

Whatever it is has to be 12 points and short.

Ideas?

You could lift the back end and replace the plug with an oil drain line. They do make life easier. Do the older boats have the T-handle plug under the engine? If not, please disregard the previous.

I use the box end of the appropriate sized wrench, it involves lying face down on the floor and getting really close with an engine I have just warmed up to get the oil flowing. Those old mustangs are really tight boats to hold a v8... I would vacuum, change, run vacuum and change...

Sounds like a good excuse to purchase a set of Gear Wrenches, then change it over to the hose so you don't have to do it again. Of course you could always pull the motor.

Thanks for the replies. I found that I could just get a 3/8" breaker bar with a 7/8" 12 point socket on it by removing the trans fluid cooler and bracket. I broke it loose with about 10 degrees of movement. Not enough to reposition the breaker bar (sometimes called a drive bar) and move the drain plug any more. But, I could then get my 3/8" ratchet on it and move it enough so I could get the breaker bar back on it. I had to switch back and forth between the ratchet and the breaker bar.

I will not put the plug back in it. I see two different drain hoses on the internet. Has anyone had experience with any of them. I really need one that will work in a small space.

WakeSlayer I have no idea how you got a large crescent wrench under there.

WakeSlayer does your drain hose have the 90 Deg bend on the plug end or is it straight? Are you confident there is room for it to fit?

BTW, the oil looked like tar. Ugh

Thanks Jbear.

Jim_In_Houston wrote: I see two different drain hoses on the internet. Has anyone had experience with any of them. I really need one that will work in a small space. WakeSlayer does your drain hose have the 90 Deg bend on the plug end or is it straight? Are you confident there is room for it to fit. Thanks Jbear.

What thread size do you need on the 90 to the pan drain?

Mine is the kit from Skidim. It has the 90* on it.   For a 289

As far as the crescent wrench fitting, I was able to finagle (sp?) it in there and keep flipping it over to get another 1/8 inch. Took forever. once I put the motor back in and aligned, I can no longer get my arm under there. I may remove trans cooler and try it again, but I am skeptical.

Mike