Oil Pan Punch For Mustang Gt: Size Guide

If you're looking to punch and tap your Mustang's oil pan, you'll need to decide whether to drill or punch a hole. While some people suggest starting with a small drill bit to create a pilot hole, others advise against this, as it removes metal and leaves less surface for the tap to grip. Instead, you can use a centre punch to create an indentation and prevent the drill from drifting off-centre. You can then follow up with a larger drill bit or a tapered punch to finish the hole. It's important to use grease to catch any metal shavings and prevent them from ending up in your engine.

Use a small drill to start the hole

To start a hole when using a portable electric drill, it is important to determine the size and depth of the hole you are drilling. When working with screws, creating pilot holes is essential to prevent the wood from splitting. The diameter of the drill bit for the pilot hole should be the same as the diameter of your screw, excluding the threads. If you plan on tapping the hole, look up the proper pilot hole sizes for the bolt you intend to thread.

When drilling a large hole, it is recommended to start with a smaller drill bit and gradually widen the hole. This technique helps to prevent the bit from walking and ensures a cleaner hole. Starting with a large bit can result in a sloppy hole and a longer drilling time.

When drilling holes in metal, it is crucial to take safety precautions. Always wear proper eye protection, as metal fragments can cause serious eye injuries. Use clamps to secure the workpiece instead of holding it in your hand, as the drill bit can catch and cause the piece to spin and strike.

To prevent the drill bit from wandering, mark where you want the hole and use a center punch and hammer to create a small dimple. This provides a guide for the tip of your drill bit. If you need to drill a large hole, consider using a hole saw, which can cut bigger holes quickly and cleanly.

When drilling through metal, it is recommended to use a slow speed to reduce heat buildup and prolong the life of your drill bits. Lubricating the bit with cutting fluid or a multipurpose oil can also help reduce friction and heat, making drilling easier.

Now, let's apply these general drilling tips to the task of punching and tapping an oil pan in a Mustang GT:

• It is recommended to start with a small drill bit or a center punch to create a pilot hole in the oil pan. This helps guide the larger bit and prevents wandering.
• Some people prefer to use a punch instead of a drill to create the initial hole, as it provides more control and prevents removing too much metal.
• Use a sharp punch and hit it with a hammer to create the initial hole. You can also use a small drill bit lubricated with grease to catch the shavings and make the metal tear more easily.
• Gradually increase the size of the punch or drill bit to widen the hole until it reaches the desired size.
• Grease the tap to catch the metal shavings and prevent them from falling into the oil pan. Work slowly and carefully to tap the hole straight.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the correct size of the punch or drill bit and the location of the hole in the oil pan.

Use a centre punch to prevent the drill from drifting

To punch and tap an oil pan on a Mustang GT, you will need a range of tools, including a tap, plumb bob, hammer, sharpie, measuring tape, and sockets. The process involves jacking up the car, removing the front passenger wheel, and marking the oil pan before drilling and tapping the hole.

Now, when it comes to using a centre punch to prevent the drill from drifting, here's what you need to do:

A centre punch is a tool used to create a small indentation, or dimple, on a surface to guide a drill bit. This is especially important when drilling into metal, as it helps prevent the drill bit from wandering or drifting off-centre. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a centre punch effectively:

• Choose the Right Tools: Select a solid steel centre punch and a ball peen hammer. The ball peen hammer has a flat face that will strike the centre punch.
• Mark Your Material: Measure and mark the spot on the oil pan where you intend to drill the hole. Use a scribe or a sharpie to make an accurate mark.
• Select a Strong Surface: Place the oil pan on a sturdy surface, such as an anvil, table vise, bench block, or a steel-topped table. This strong surface will help support the metal as you punch it.
• Hold the Hammer Properly: Grip the hammer low on the handle and wrap your thumb around, making a loose fist. This technique ensures that the hammer head falls straight down onto the centre punch.
• Make a Solid Punch: Touch the centre punch point to your mark and hold the tool straight up and down. Give the tool a solid blow with the hammer. It's important to get a good punch on the first try, as rapid blows can cause the tools to jump.
• Register Your Bit: Once you've made the centre punch mark, you can register your drill bit in a drill press and begin drilling. The centre punch mark will guide the drill bit and prevent drifting.

By following these steps, you can effectively use a centre punch to prevent the drill from drifting when punching and tapping an oil pan on a Mustang GT.

Work up from a small punch

When punching an oil pan, it's important to start with a small hole and work your way up. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Tools and Materials:

• 3/8" NPT tap
• Plumb Bob from Home Depot
• Bearing grease or similar
• A few feet of pipe that's slightly smaller than the widest part of the plumb bob
• Hammer
• Sharpie
• Measuring tape
• Sockets and extensions
• Centre punch (optional)
• Drill and drill bits (optional)
• Set of punches of various sizes (optional)

Instructions:

• Jack up the car from the k member and remove the front passenger wheel. Remove the mud shield. Leave the oil in the car as the hole will be above the oil line.
• Crawl under the car and mark the spot on the oil pan where you will be punching the hole. You can use a template provided by the manufacturer or create your own by marking 1/2" rear of the first bolt and 1-3/4" down from the top lip.
• Use a piece of cardboard with an exactly 9/16" hole in it and place it over the marked spot. This will ensure that your hole is in the correct location.
• Take a 9/16" box end and slide it up the plumb bob until it stops. Mark the plumb bob just above it with the sharpie so you know how far to push it into the pan.
• Tightly attach the plumb bob to a pipe or similar object that can be used as an extension for hammering.
• (Optional) Start with the smallest drill bit and drill a tiny pilot hole. This will help the metal tear more easily once there is a hole.
• Place the point of the plumb bob into the hole and have someone hold it in place while you tap the pipe with a hammer from the wheel well. This may take a few tries as the plumb bob has a steep initial taper. Once past the tip, unscrew the tip to prevent contacting anything inside the pan.
• Stop tapping before the black line if you notice the hole tapering inside the pan. Find a deep socket that is exactly 9/16" outside diameter and use it with extensions to finish the job, ensuring that the entire hole is 9/16".
• Grease the tap thoroughly to catch the shavings. Be very careful to tap it straight and follow normal tap procedure. Tap half a turn, then back a quarter turn. Repeat until the tap is just over 1/4" deep.
• Apply Teflon tape and silicone to your fitting and screw it into the hole. Do not overtighten as there are still not many threads in the hole. Drain the oil to wash out any shavings that may have gotten in.

By starting with a small hole and gradually working your way up, you can ensure that you create a clean and accurately sized hole in the oil pan. This method also helps to catch the metal shavings and prevent them from falling into the oil pan.

Use a plumb bob from Home Depot

To punch and tap an oil pan on a Mustang GT, you'll need a 3/8" NPT tap. You can get a tap and die set from Harbor Freight for under $10.

Now, for the "Use a plumb bob from Home Depot" part:

A plumb bob is a weight, usually with a pointed tip on the bottom, that's suspended from a string and used as a vertical reference line, or plumb line. It's a simple tool that's been used for thousands of years to ensure that structures are built straight and true. Plumb bobs are still useful today for a variety of tasks, from checking if something is level to marking a straight line down a wall.

You can find plumb bobs at Home Depot in a variety of materials and weights. The solid brass plumb bobs come in 8 oz, 16 oz, 32 oz, and 24 oz varieties. There's also an 8 oz steel plumb bob. If you're looking for something with a blunt point, there's the Crescent Lufkin 20 oz Inage Solid Brass Cylindrical Blunt Point SAE Plumb Bob. And for a square option, there's the Crescent Lufkin 20 oz Outage Solid Brass Square Metric Plumb Bob.

To use a plumb bob for this Mustang GT project, you'll want to follow these steps:

• Jack up the car from the k member and remove the front passenger wheel. Remove the mud shield as well. Leave the oil in the car, as the hole you'll be making will be above the oil line.
• Crawl under the car and make your mark on the oil pan. The mark should be 1/2" rear of the first bolt and 1-3/4" down from the top lip. You can use a piece of cardboard with a 9/16" hole in it to ensure you mark the right spot.
• Take a 9/16" box end and slide it up the plumb bob until it stops. Make a mark just above it with a Sharpie so you know how far to push the plumb bob into the pan.
• Tape the plumb bob to a pipe or something similar that you can use as an extension to hammer on.
• (Optional) Use a very small drill bit to drill a pilot hole. Lubricate the bit with grease to catch any shavings.
• Have someone place the point of the plumb bob into the hole while you tap the pipe from the wheel well. It may bounce out of place at first, but once past the point, it should go fairly quickly.
• If the tip of your plumb bob screws off, you may want to unscrew it to prevent contacting anything inside the pan.
• Grease your tap thoroughly and tap the hole straight and carefully. Follow normal tap procedure, being careful not to tap crookedly as the metal is thin and can bend.
• Teflon tape and silicone your fitting and screw it in, being careful not to overtighten.
• Drain your oil to wash out any shavings that may have gotten into the pan.

By following these steps and using a plumb bob from Home Depot, you can successfully punch and tap the oil pan on your Mustang GT.

Grease the tap to catch metal shavings

To grease the tap to catch metal shavings, you can use bearing grease or a similar product. Fill the flutes of the tap with grease so that it can catch the shavings. Be careful to tap it straight. It is easier to tap crookedly, and because the metal is very thin, it will bend the metal to the tap and result in a crooked hole.

There are other methods to catch metal shavings when drilling a hole. One is to use a shop-vac to remove the shavings. Another is to use modelling clay behind the sheet metal, which will catch the metal pieces inside. You can also use a magnetised drill bit to attract the shavings.

Frequently asked questions