Exhaust Manifold Plugs

[TJCallahan@domain.elided]

I have to pass on my experience to date with the head gasket replacement on 
my 77 Alfetta. As usual, the scope of the simple head gasket replacement 
project grew, it now includes removal of the air pump and the plugging of the 
exhaust manifold holes (amongst other things).

I asked at my local (generic) parts house about plugs that might fit the 
holes (for off-road use only, of course) and was told, in all seriousness, 
that the threads were a special size and pitch, that the size and pitch 
patent was held by federal regulators, and that it is highly illegal for 
anyone other than approved manufacturers to make anything with this size and 
pitch thread and that I'd probably go to jail for even asking.

I asked Zach here in Redmond what he did on his Alfetta. His response was to 
the effect of "Dunno, the PO did the air pump removal and there's regular 
looking bolts in the manifold holes. Want to borrow one and see if you can 
match it?" (This Zach guy is waaaay cooooool. :-)

Encouraged by the real world answer, I toted my air pump pipe to a few local 
hardware stores to see about matching the size and threads (Zach's Alfetta is 
running again, I didn't want to take it down or make it noisy). 

Turns out, if my generic parts place guy is correct, that the feds own the 
patent on a 14mm x 1.5 thread pattern, but they're not being too careful 
about enforcement since I found bins of them in the hardware store and no 
National Guard types anywhere. :-)

Now, if I can find four bolts that are 14mm x 1.5 x 16mm long, I'll be in fat 
city.

Did I mention that I'm now searching for a new generic parts place?

Tom
Seattle
10123
11615
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