Primary Drain Plug Sealant

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Sep 2, 2024 | 04:13 PM

#31

Dan89FLSTC

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

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From: South Carolina

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Sep 4, 2024 | 09:26 AM

#32

carlgrover

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Joined: Oct 2007

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From: Decatur, Alabama

I just ordered timesert kit TS-0127. There is enough clearance between the side of the primary and the OD of the timesert countersink (confirmed with the timesert folks). The timesert OD is 9/16" and a 7/16" socket OD (fits the drain plug I'm using from my post above) is .650" so I'm good. I'll post up the results after I get the kit in and do the job.

I'm posting all this in case anyone else can benefit from it when their threads are completely chewed to pieces like mine are. I figure if I buy a new primary cover I'll just have the same crap to deal with down the road. The timesert fix should be a better/stronger approach.

Carl

Sep 4, 2024 | 10:44 AM

#33

Yankee Dog

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2007

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From: Brighton, MI

Take some pics of the process and post those as well!

Sep 26, 2024 | 11:02 AM

#34

RoofDude

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 114

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From: USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlgrover

Have you done this repair..? I'm asking because I have a similar issue (stripped out my primary drain plug), and am considering the same fix.

Sep 26, 2024 | 04:50 PM

#35

carlgrover

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Joined: Oct 2007

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From: Decatur, Alabama

Not yet. I have the time sert kit but just haven't done the job yet. If it rains all this weekend I might get time to do it.

carl

Sep 30, 2024 | 05:33 PM

#36

carlgrover

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Joined: Oct 2007

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From: Decatur, Alabama

Drilling out the threads. I use tap magic to make it easier to drill and leave a cleaner finish. Did this by hand when I realized I couldn't get it under my drill press.

Tapping the outer threads. The thread fit was a little loose. I only had to break the tap back twice. The tap handle is homemade from vocational school when I was a kid! Again I used tap magic for aluminum. The tap handle barely cleared the derby cover (too lazy to remove it).

Insert installation. I had to make up an "out in the county" fix to get the handle to clear. I used the oil from the kit on the installation tool and loctite 262 on the outer threads. I wish I would have used more 262 when I remembered it was also a sealant and not just a thread locker.

Final product. The insert top is just below the primary surface. There is one other step in this process I didn't take a pic of: countersinking the hole for the insert. This is done before tapping and the countersink has a pilot so it's a no brainer.

The sealant has to cure so I'm letting it sit for a day before I put the primary cover back on. Also have to clean the inside cover out and buff the mating surfaces. I don't know whether it will hold or not but I'm fairly certain there will be no leaks. That fancy plug I bought is designed to bottom out right on the insert so it should work better than stock.

Carl

Last edited by carlgrover; Sep 30, 2024 at 05:36 PM.

Oct 2, 2024 | 03:46 PM

#37

carlgrover

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Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 8,852

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From: Decatur, Alabama

So it's all buttoned up and had it's quart of oil. We'll see if it leaks. The only thing I thought was strange was that the fancy new plug I bought sticks out a good 1/4" from it's bottom. .I expected it to bottom out down to the head and thought they said that on the website. I took another look and realized that later models had straight threads instead of tapered. Those plugs also have an o ring on them. The fit on this plug is nice and it tightens up real good as well. The original setup with that headless plug was so bad I could screw it in almost all the way down into the primary. It felt bottomless.

carl

Oct 2, 2024 | 05:09 PM

#38

Soundman5000

Tourer

Joined: May 2017

Posts: 372

Likes: 320

From: Coastal Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnod

97flhtcui

What do you guys use as a sealant on the drain plug?
I've been using teflon tape.

On my EVO I have always used that Permatex ( or whatever brand ) small tube of liquid Teflon white thread sealant ( the less you use the better it works ) I always clean the plug with parts cleaner, or carb cleaner or electronic cleaner first. I have used teflon tape but its a pain.

On my new M8 I could tell the dealer used something on the threads at my first 1k service but I decided to move away from thread sealant on my new bike. Some folks say its not needed. So, I cleaned all traces of goo on all (3) plugs and this time only used new o-rings and torque to spec and now 400 miles later not a drip!