tapping the sump - HELP!
 

hi guys,

i've read and understood the faq, but would like to get some more precise measurements if possible.

i know you want to keep the tap as high as posssibe on the sump , so it's aboove the oil level. but i have a bracket in front of it that holds my aircon on. so the highest i can tap is about 40mm (roughly 1 and a half inches) down from the top of the sump (measured from the inside of the right angle / flange at the top of the sump).

is this ok or am i under oil level there? what is the oil level ? somebody told me they "think" i can go as far as 2 inches down, but i'm not sure that this sounds right.

if you can get about 1" from the top you should be good...
have you seen the pics or what the oil pan looks like inside?

the pic in my faq shows my tap with the a/c condensor in place, you should have no trouble there, just put it as high as possible, which isn't much.

https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/at...4&d=1140491587

https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/at...1&d=1176942972

I don't even have a AC and I put my tap in the exact same position as Brain's FM installation pic. I had no idea that it was supposed to go above the oil line when I installed it.

Never had a problem...

ok thanks guys. i hadn't seen that pic withe the red arrow and explanatory notes before. that helps a lot. cheers.

haven't seen the pics no. would like to tho!

remember kids, when you're about to tap that stump, don't go in without a generously lubed shaft.

And that someone would be me. 2 Inches (5.08cm) down from the top edge of the sump is good. Just make sure you mark the position of the Aid cond bracket on the sump before you remove it. This way you know that the oil return is going to clear the bracket once you re-install the air cond.

Let me know if you want some assistance this weekend, I might be able to drop over for awhile

J
I assume that you are aware that you need to flush the sump after the drilling to clear any possible metal pieces out?

do it on the car, with the bracket in place and you'll never have a problem.

juffa,

mate, i've been to 2 tool shops about getting that tap. they don't have them, but can order one in for me, for $70 :td:

so yeah, if i could get yours, and have your assistance, that would be absolutely grand!

i know you don't have wheels at the moment so i can pick you up from your place. how's tonight, tomorrow night, or saturday for you?

also, i've lost your mobile number. can you give me a call again ? ?

thanks for the offer to help mate, you are a champ.

oh and brian, about doing it with the bracket in place. i thought you want the hole to be angled down a bit, this would be difficult to achieve with the bracket on, wouldn't it? or can you just go straight in horizontally?

Fatty fatty fatty fatty fatty.......

remove the A/C bracket - cut out that straight section visible in the picture so it is effectively a cut out section. Reinstall loosely in place and mark that recess. Drill the tap hole directly in the middle of it and dead straight - NO ANGLE!!!!!

Take your time - do it slow. Lots of tapping compound on the drill bit, then remove, and lots of compound on the tap (which you do by hand or with a spanner).

Remove the oil just before you start to do the drilling - that way the residual oil in the pan will help to draw away any swarf - then once its all drilled and tapped, pour general purpose thinners down a hose placed just inside the hole to wash away any further swarf that may be in the sump.

That way your oil drain is above the oil level and in the right place - same place as I did, Boags did, LM did and others I am sure.

See the attached pic.

So you guys are unmounting the AC compressor from the bracket to do this, yes?

thanks for the pic uncle arthur. i bought an angle grinder today , coz i needed to cut my old exhaust in half to get the old manifold out of the car ( took a long time, but i got it out eventually). so i'll use that to modify my bracket as you did.

so anyway, as of today there is a turbo hanging off the side of my engine. i just popped it on there to make sure everything fits, and then i looked at it and said to myself "HOLY FUCK. THERE IS A TURBO ON MY CAR". it was just one of those great happy moments. i've been building towards this for months, so it was very gratifying . i just can't wait to drive the thing.

Yes - 6 bolts and it's all undone - a little messy greasewise, but makes the process much easier, and there's sweet little room to get a drill and 14mm drill bit in there otherwise to drill a straight (plumb) hole.

You can just see the shiny cut metal in that picture - take out that centre section - it isn't weight bearing anyway so it's no issue.

you guys are making this harder than it is. This takes about 15mins to do. jack the freaking car up, point the drill, push the trigger, and watch a hole appear. (don't take off the a/c, don't measure, dont grind, just grease and release)

if anyone needs a drill bit and 1/2" npt tap, i can send it out to them...just gotta figure out who has it right now ;)

I think it would take more time to fuck with the a/c compressor & its bracket than it would just to reach in and drill the bitch.

im glad i got rid of my ac