Late Model Bilge Plug Substitution

[Bill Connelly]

Just for the List's archival record, I've finally placed the following bilge
plug substitution item on the Amphicar.net "Parts Tips and Info" page at
http://www.amphicar.net/partsinfo.htm .

If you know of similar parts substitution or other tips, please feel to post
them there too!

~Bilgey~

Owner: Bilgey
Owner_Website: http://www.amphicar.net
Original_Amphicar_Part_Name: Bilge Plug (Late Model)
Original_Amphicar_Part_Model_or_Type: Substitution for "O-Ring Type Bilge
Plug"
Original_Amphicar_Part_Number: 11-34-13a
Replacement_Part_Name: PIK-A-NUT
Replacement_Part_Model_or_Type: Quick-Seal Rubber Expansion Plug (also know
as a "bung hole plug"!)
Replacement_Part_Number: Item No. 24011 (2" / 50mm)
Manufacturer_or_Source: LBC Autoparts Warehouse
Street: 135 South Fifth Street
Phone: 888-3DORMAN, 800-382-1322 or 717-567-7711 / Fax: 717-567-7061
City: Newport
State: PA
Zipcode: 17074-1009
Country: USA
Email: lbcautoparts@tricountyi.net
Website: http://www.lbcautoparts.com
I have actually used this part
Price: $5-10?
Price_from_Gordon: $31.77
Date: March 09, 2003


Modifications_Needed_or_Other_Comments
I have been using a PIK-A-NUT brand 2-inch rubber expansion plug instead of
the standard "O-Ring Type Bilge Plug with Cross Bolt or Clip" setup since I
got my late model '67 Amphi in '95. Unlike many owners, I almost always pull
the bilge plug after a swim, so my plug has gotten a lot of use. I only just
replaced it in 2002 after the center tightening nut began stripping...The
factory sent me a free replacement! (which explains why no exact price is
given above). Unlike the standard late model type setup, with the plug held
in place with a crosspiece, this expansion plug works by tightening a nut at
its center, which expands the plug itself. For a diagram, see
<http://www.motormitedormancatalog.com/itemimages/QsealRubberExpanPlug.jpg>
while a photo of my old plug can be seen at
<http://www.amphicar.net/library/plug.jpg>. Although my late model Amphi has
the wide-mouth smooth bore bilge plug hole, it occurs to me that folks with
the smaller early model threaded type brass plug might benefit from such an
expansion type plug, albeit a smaller diameter one, as an easy cure for
stripped threads.

 

[Bill Connelly]

As an "off-list" response to my March 9th posting about a substitute bilge
plug, I received the following message and a photo from John Friese about
his own substitution, which he has no objection to my resposting here for
the group. A photo of John's plug can be seen at
http://www.amphicar.net/BilgePlugJohnFriese.jpg . Except for the two set
screws on the sides, a wing nut instead of a hex nut and the fact that my
own plug's top metal flange runs quite flush with the plug hole at its
circumference (i.e. with no overhang), John's appears pretty much the same
in principle. Since I've been running my plug (see
http://www.amphicar.net/library/plug.jpg) for several years without the
least hint of mishap, real or potential, I imagine John's solution would
also work just as well.

For easy reference's sake, I've reproduced my original posting to the List
far below.

~Bilgey~:


----- Original Message -----
From: "John Friese"
To: "Bill Connelly"
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2003 1:02 AM
Subject: Revises Bilge Plug


Hi Bill,
I noticed your listing for a different bilge plug for late Amphicars and
thought you might like to see what I came up with. It's a modified 2"
plumbers test plug. Since there is a slight outward taper to the bilge
hole, I was concerned that the plug might come out under stress. I
added a couple of self tapped screws into the rubber section of the plug
that push out when the plug is tightened and lock the plug in using the
existing holes. I also added a rubber washer to the outside, to keep
water out of the plug, and used a smaller wing nut than it originally
came with. I was afraid that the large nut could be more easily snagged
by something hitting it. Just for good measure, I had the steel parts
powder coated. Actually, I'm still finishing up the car that uses this
plug so I haven't yet tried it in the water but it seems like it will
work just fine. Unlike the original plug, it goes in very easily and
it even looks pretty good.

John Friese

White 67 (CA, I FLOAT 2 )
Red 67 (CA, I SWM 2 )

----------------------------------------------------------------------------


BILGEY'S 3/9/03 POSTING:

Just for the List's archival record, I've finally placed the following bilge
plug substitution item on the Amphicar.net "Parts Tips and Info" page at
http://www.amphicar.net/partsinfo.htm .

If you know of similar parts substitution or other tips, please feel to post
them there too!

~Bilgey~

Owner: Bilgey
Owner_Website: http://www.amphicar.net
Original_Amphicar_Part_Name: Bilge Plug (Late Model)
Original_Amphicar_Part_Model_or_Type: Substitution for "O-Ring Type Bilge
Plug"
Original_Amphicar_Part_Number: 11-34-13a
Replacement_Part_Name: PIK-A-NUT
Replacement_Part_Model_or_Type: Quick-Seal Rubber Expansion Plug (also know
as a "bung hole plug"!)
Replacement_Part_Number: Item No. 24011 (2" / 50mm)
Manufacturer_or_Source: LBC Autoparts Warehouse
Street: 135 South Fifth Street
Phone: 888-3DORMAN, 800-382-1322 or 717-567-7711 / Fax: 717-567-7061
City: Newport
State: PA
Zipcode: 17074-1009
Country: USA
Email: lbcautoparts@tricountyi.net
Website: http://www.lbcautoparts.com
I have actually used this part
Price: $5-10?
Price_from_Gordon: $31.77
Date: March 09, 2003


Modifications_Needed_or_Other_Comments
I have been using a PIK-A-NUT brand 2-inch rubber expansion plug instead of
the standard "O-Ring Type Bilge Plug with Cross Bolt or Clip" setup since I
got my late model '67 Amphi in '95. Unlike many owners, I almost always pull
the bilge plug after a swim, so my plug has gotten a lot of use. I only just
replaced it in 2002 after the center tightening nut began stripping...The
factory sent me a free replacement! (which explains why no exact price is
given above). Unlike the standard late model type setup, with the plug held
in place with a crosspiece, this expansion plug works by tightening a nut at
its center, which expands the plug itself. For a diagram, see
<http://www.motormitedormancatalog.com/itemimages/QsealRubberExpanPlug.jpg>
while a photo of my old plug can be seen at
<http://www.amphicar.net/library/plug.jpg>. Although my late model Amphi has
the wide-mouth smooth bore bilge plug hole, it occurs to me that folks with
the smaller early model threaded type brass plug might benefit from such an
expansion type plug, albeit a smaller diameter one, as an easy cure for
stripped threads.