plugging holes?

[astrohog]

I am trying to clean up my engine compartment ('71 240Z). When I bought this car, there were all kinds of lines that were plugged with screws (looks like an octopus having spaghetti for dinner!) A buddy of mine came over with his '73 and all his holes were neatly plugged with pipe plugs? or bolts? So I took the lines off today and went on a search for plugs.

I am not sure how to explain what holes I am plugging, but I will give it a try. Two of the nipples are the same. One was plugged when I got the car, so I do not know what it was, the other (which is the same size) feeds the "throttle closer delay diaphragm". These two holes are REAL close to 1/8" NPT (pipe thread), but just a hair smaller. I tried 1/8" pipe plugs and they would engage MAYBE one thread and that was all. the other hole I want to plug is to the left og the PCV valve and was plugged when I got the car. It is soooo close to 1/4" NPT, but again is a hair smaller.

I work in the fastener industry and have checked metric bolts to match the threads and again, they two smaller ones are sooo close to 10mm X 1.00 (very fine) thread, but are just a hair smaller in diameter.

I am thinking they are all metric pipe thread, but cannot find any local vendors that have metric pipe. Am I barking up the wrong tree? Anybody know where I can find some plugs for these holes?

Regards,

Astrohog

[hls30.com]

A little JB weld putty goes a long way, and can be shaped to look just beautiful...if you can't find a better suggestion.Will

[Arne]

I have heard they are BSP - British Standard Pipe threads. Try asking for that.

[Craig Lovegrove]

In the engine bay I actually purchased some black rubber grommets to push into the holes. I gues they could be glued in. This is a temporary measure to stop any unwanted fumes coming into the **** pit. I will weld them in when the engine is out next time and do a nice paint job. Around the rear of the car I found about 10-15 holes large and small. Because of fume problems I decided to plug them all. I did it a cheap and easy way from under the car by cutting small pieces of aluminium plate (1mm) and glueing them over the holes. Even around the bolt holes near the rear shocker towers which open to the road. As such she is now air tight and no more fumes for me. Just some cheap and easy ideas for what it is worth.

[Arne]

Regarding the larger one, if you can scrounge a spare balance tube from another car, the fitting that plugs the port on the end nearest the firewall is the same as the larger one.

Or you could do it with a welder and grinder.

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=15081