72 Bus Fill Plug From Hell

Drhallster · Post by **Drhallster** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:38 am

Ok I have a 72 bus and want to drain the tranny and refill. I can't get the side plug to come loose.
I have the 17mm lug and a breaker bar.
I have PB blastered the crap out of it.
Hammered. Arms fatigued.
Last night I actually put the end of the breaker bar on the end of the jack and jacked it up 3-4 inches until it looked like the bar started to bend.

Help!!!!
Steve

vwlover77 · Post by **vwlover77** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:42 pm

Stupid question, but I gotta ask..... You are attempting to turn the plug counter-clockwise, correct?????

Drhallster · Post by **Drhallster** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:52 pm

yeah. I woke up this morning and that was the first thought on my mind. One of those panic moments. But yes counterclockwise.
I'm thinking of heating it but worried about damage.
Steve

vdubyah73 · Post by **vdubyah73** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 3:58 am

Use a propane torch. It'd be hard to damage it, as they don't make a whole lot of heat. However the alloy case does heat sink pretty well, the heat will disapate into the rest of the case fairly rapidly. Also try a 2 pound hammer on the 17mm lug while trying to loosen.

Bill

spiffy · Post by **spiffy** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 7:29 am

Sometimes a stubborn nut/bolt will break free if you try turning it clockwise a touch.....sounds crazy but it has worked for me a few times

Drhallster · Post by **Drhallster** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:10 pm

well I finally got it off. I talked to Satchmo who said hit it 200 times with a hammer. Doesn't matter direction, just hit it. Something about disrupting the ionic bonds ... Anyway I did that and .. nothing. So I was just reaching for the torch and thought , OK, One more try. I think the fire scared my bus cuz it very slowly came off.

Man am I glad

Thanks for the thoughts

Steve

Post by **Amskeptic** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:03 pm

Drhallster wrote: Man am I glad

How is it driving?
Colin

Drhallster · Post by **Drhallster** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:43 pm

Soon! Not yet.
Satchmo and I are taking the time to try and fix all the leaks.

As an update, after Colin came and helped me rebuild the dual carbs and then get it back to stock dual carb set up, couldn't get it started.
Borrowed a scope from the medical clinic and found the cam and distributor to be 180 off so switched the plugs and it started right up.
We denied our desire of instant gratification to take off for a ride.
Since then have corrected alot.
New gaskets at the oil filler tube and fuel pump.
Flaps placed in the fan housing.
Thermostat placed and hooked up. (This is so COOL)
Changed oil and gear oil.
Found big leak at the oil sender- probably going to replace with VDO setup. Still looking for that boot.
Found and replaced coil clamp with one with a spring connecting arm.
Heater exchange boxes removed. Mine is leaking from a dent and Satchmo had an extra pair while I repai these.
Engine tins are off and getting repainted.
Bumper straightened then off to my brother for Powder Coating.

Anyway its a cool journey. I'm much more comfortable doing things and spending time under the bus and not feeling totally loss.

Huge amounts of gratitude to Colin and Satchmo

Steve

Itinerant Air-Cooled

Itinerant Air-Cooled

72 Bus Fill Plug From Hell

72 Bus Fill Plug From Hell