If it's cross threaded and you can't get a new drain plug to go in the right way get that tap set. Match up the correct tread design and work it into the exhisting threads. They should straighten out good enough that you can use the stock size drain plug. Just use care from now on when putting the drain plug back in. And don't overtighten it.

One more thought, if you do tap the threads, try to get all the metal shavings out of the oil pan before you seal it back up. If you have a wet/dry vac you can rig up some way to suck air through a smaller hose and put it in the drain hole to suck all the bits out.

 

thanx guys the shavings in the pan had occered to me, but anyways keep the suggestions coming

 

I have not had this happen on an ls1, but on a regular 350 truck engine once. I never thought of grinding a notch with a cutting disc and probably would try that before my suggestion but here is what I did after killing my fingers and knuckles with vise grips. I removed the trucks battery cables and attached my mig welder ground cable to the alternator bracket on the engine and welded the head of a bolt to the oil drain bolt head. I then tried to thread on two nuts to the new bolt to act as "jam nuts" but I had too much weld spatter on the threads to allow that to happen. I ground the bolt off and welded another back on with the jam nuts already threaded on and finally was able to twist the sucker out. I believe I used a 3/8 bolt. This will only work if your drain plug is steel and not aluminum (no strength). Do not worry about burning the oil as there isn't enough heat with that small of a weld using a mig.

 

What? No helpful suggestion? It just so happens that when my drain plug problems happened it was because I did take it to be done for me and they overtightened it. More times than not, that's the case. I had a shop overfill my crankcase once by 2-3 quarts and then tell me it wouldn't hurt anything.

Everybody should change their own oil. If not then they should go back behind the mechanic and check everything. I find it hard to believe that someone who has enough coordination and common sense to be able to safely operate a vehicle on the roads wouldn't have enough to be able to unscrew a bolt and pour a bottle in a funnel.

Why not leave the insulting comments out?

 

I hear that, why do some asses waste everybodies time with sarcastic comments. I wish there was some advice for this problem, I hope it never happens to me. Can't you take it back to the guy who stripped the plug?

P.S> I had some jerk post nasty comments on one of my Threads once, BUT for the most part this is a great place to learn about LS1's. and I just ignore the occasionl jerk and move on!

 

I agree with posing useful suggestions as opposed to smart remarks even though it was a minor one compared to some of the others I have read on this board. It would be a great system if/when a member shoots dirt their user id gets a red colour so in the future when they have problems people would know not to reply to them.

 

thanx alot guys, i havent been able to get the bolt out yet, and just for the JERKS information a shop overtightened my bolt. And it was the 1st time that i have ever in my life had a shop change my oil and i guarentee it is the last! And another thing i would like to chew chevy out about is using aluminum drain plugs!!!!!! As of right now i think im going to have to remove the oil pan, anybody ever done this?

 

Ok,I am the idiot.I apologize,seriously I am sorry.You are right everyone should work on their own cars.Anyways having done thousands of oil changes and running into every problem imaginable maybe i can offer some advice.These are kind of last resort methods.You should always use the right tool for the job(a 6 point socket,instead of an adjustable wrench! Try a small pipe wrench or a clench wrench available from Sears.I have gotten out of jams using these.As for removing the oil pan.Before i would do that I would drill a small hole in the plug and try an easy out.If that doesnt work , drill a large hoe in the plug and try to chisel the sides out towards the center.If that doesnt work the pan would have to come out.Maybe one of these suggestion will help...thats what this board is about....Good luck.