Oil drain bolt size

[Redman]

Trying to do first oil change - but simply cannot get socket or spanner onto bolt head. Have tried all tools I have available. Beginning to think PO somehow used different bolt..... Could someone kindly confirm size? Thanks.

I also noted that previous owner(s) / workshops have completely mangled the picture frame by using it unreinforced as jacking point. It looks beyond salvation. Is it simple enough to remove the 4 visible boots and slide a new one in?

Thanks.

Gordon

[bitsobrits]

Gordon,

A "picture frame" replacement is a very large task indeed, as it would involve removing the bonnet, radiator and associated plumbing, and of course the front suspension.

Are you perhaps referring to what some call the bonnet frame? I.e. the round tube assembly on which the bonnet pivots?

[Allrand]

There are quite a few more than 4 bolts attaching the picture frame, & a number of components to remove:
Bonnet & support frame;
Header tank & supports;
Fan motor;
Radiater support brackets.
Upper & lower wishbone pivots;
Upper shock absober mounting bolts;
Steering rack & mounts;
ARB mounts;
Flexible & rigid brake line attachment brackets & clips;
4 way union & brake light switch;
Wiring harness cable ties.

I'm sure I've missed some, and you probably have to unload the torsion bars or the wish bone pivots will be difficult to re-attach.

Have fun.

[Redman]

I only need to remove/ replace the bottom "U" shaped piece that many on this forum recommend using as a jacking point (with wood insert to keep it from collapsing as mine has). Appears to have 2 bolts either end ......

[mgcjag]

Sump plug size shown on the SNGB website....use an adjustable spanner.....S3 picture frame sides and base is one part......you cant just replace the bottom.......use a hammer and dolly and other tools to straighten as best you can...Steve

[bitsobrits]

I only need to remove/ replace the bottom "U" shaped piece that many on this forum recommend using as a jacking point (with wood insert to keep it from collapsing as mine has). Appears to have 2 bolts either end ......

It's all one welded assembly. If you don't have a parts manual yet, that would be a very useful tool going forward as it includes drawings of most all parts of the car.

[Redman]

Thanks for advice on frame - one learns more every day. As to the bolt size being on the sngb parts listing that's news to me - I thought they (and all other usuals) deliberately did not show sizing detail for fear that potential customers would simply order elsewhere. I'll have another look.

[MarekH]

It's all one welded assembly.

It's not like a single piece s1 or s2 picture frame. The s3 picture frame is a two part assembly. The top bar comes off very easily with just a few bolts, but the bottom three sides are a very heavily braced "U" shape and will need a substantial amount of work to remove - as listed.

All of the bolt sizes are listed in the Parts Manual. David ("Heuer") Jones has typed up somewhere on another thread what the decode is for the bolt numbers:- it tells you the pitch, length and other bolt parameters from their part number/names.

kind regards
Marek

[mgcjag]

Bolt sizes arnt a secret.......a few suppliers list the size.....Steve

[Craig Balzer]

Could someone kindly confirm size?

Sump Plug, 5/8"-18 UNF
https://www.sngbarratt.com/English(US)/ ... 20DRAIN%60

[mgcjag]

Hi Craig..yes correct..pletry of info here on the forum if you search sump plug...
Steve

[Redman]

Just to close this off: finally loosened sump plug (and I had been searching oil drain plug not sump plug) which PO/ workshop appear to have tightened way OTT given warnings in this forum about stripping threads etc. Had to jack up car, get spanner on to it, brace against ground and then lower car to use that weight to assist. Anyway, job done.
And as for straightening the picture frame I think that's going to need rather more than a hammer and dolly. Mangled at one end beyond recognition. Will see what local workshop can do idc.
Thanks again for your patience.
Regards
Gordon

[DWW]

BTW, Moss Jaguar (Angus) sells the correct piece of hard wood to precisely fit under the picture frame to prevent damage in the event of jacking.

[Craig Balzer]

Hi Craig..yes correct..pletry of info here on the forum if you search sump plug...
Steve

I had been searching oil drain plug not sump plug

Provided you know the precise terms on which to search.
It took seconds for me to post a direct response to the OP's original question

[Jack the lad]

Hi Gordon, the re-shaping of the bottom of the picture frame is an easy job with a bit of preparation. My cars have all come with this section damaged and I made a heavy duty tool to fix them. It consists of two pieces of metal about 1" X 1" square and about 3" long welded together with a gap between the two pieces just slightly wider than the thickness of the picture frame, it has a similar appearance to a tuning fork. This is then welded to a round bar some 18" long to form a handle/lever. By placing the tuning fork over an undamaged edge of the lower picture frame it can be driven along by hammering onto the damaged part and will straighten as it goes along. Any part that is VERY badly damaged may need to be heated to dull red prior. If my description is not clear I can provide a photo of my tool (not that one perv.) This tool has also been useful in other areas for straightening damaged edges of sills, door skins, bonnet edges etc. cheers John.

[MarekH]

I'd echo that. If a car one ton car is jacked incorrectly, then roughly one ton of force, judiciously applied, should undo the damage. The tricky bit is clamping it and tightening it up so you can apply the force where it is needed.

kind regards
Marek

[Jack the lad]

Hi Marek, I have managed to straighten several of these without removing the frame from the car, total job about 1/2 hour per side. cheers John.

[Redman]

Thanks for the frame advice. But I think better to have car on a lift rather than have me hammering away with it on axle stands..... No rush, but I will have a go idc.

[Jack the lad]

Yes axle stands are not the best for this operation, I have the use of a car inspection pit which is totally safe, probably more so than a 2 post lift and some 4 posters too. You will be amazed how easy this operation is when you make an attempt at it.