oil pan drain bolt

[jlylec]

I have a double sump oil pan and the front drain bolt has stripped on me to the point where I can't get it out with regular tools. Is it OK to apply heat via a heat gun or torch (worried about putting fire on the bottom of a pan full of oil!) or is it ok/better idea to grind to sides of the bolt down enough to where I could solidly put a huge adjustable wrench on it?

Fortunately the rear one I was able to get out and that section holds the most oil, but I replace my intake and got coolant in the engine and want to get it all out.

 

[TwistedConcepts]

A heat gun should be fine, I would avoid using a torch on it unless you pull the pan.

If you can get your hands on an extractor kit that would be the easiest. Napa or oriley might rent them.

 

[Apogee]

If you have access to a welder, I would just weld a piece of keystock or flat bar to the head, that way you'll not only get the benefits of heat, but also something to put a wrench on.

 

[jlylec]

Yeah one of these days I'm going to find somebody to teach me to weld and get a welder. I seem to have needed this skill a lot recently! I got it though filing edges down. All is now right in my oil pan world. Thanks!