Sandwich Plate Bolt Size
 

Does anyone know the size of the extension bolt that holds the Mocal sandwich plate in place? I think it's 25 or 26mm, but I'd like to be sure before I start pulling things apart.

Why are you pulling it apart?

I keep having a slight weeping leak from the sandwich plate. Mainly it happens after situations where the oil is very hot (thins out) or the pressure is high (cold starts in the winter). I'm just sick and tired of having a couple cc's of oil making a sheen on my undertray all the time. Mocal suggested removing the sandwich plate, cleaning all the surfaces, +/- using some black RTV on the sandwich plate O-ring, and possibly just swapping the O-ring for a new one. I'm starting at step one which is disassemble and clean. Not thrilled about using RTV and I'll replace the O-ring if I see a defect.

But I don't recall having the right socket for the extension bolt that comes with the sandwich plate. I'm hoping to torque it correctly in case that's part of the issue.

I recall it being something largish but I don't recall the exact size as I happened to have it on hand. I think it would be either 22mm or 24mm as I think that is as large as I have.

I just went and pulled one of the shelf and measured it, since I could not remember myself. You will need either a 26mm or 1" socket. It is just slighly over 25.00 mm (x > 25.40mm).

This is the first time we have ever heard of an issue with a sandwich plate leaking around the seal itself. I would lean towards the fitting not being torqued properly as well. Good luck!

That's customer service for ya! Way to go Dustin.

Repped

Thanks Dustin! I love being prepared before diving into a project. This damn oil cooler has been way too much of a project since I installed it a year ago.

Hopefully it's just the torque. If I recall, when I originally installed the plate I didn't have the 1" socket. So I ended up hand tightening and then screwing on the oil filter which I assumed would tighten it further. Best guess is I just need to get the right socket and tighten her up.

I'll post back how it turns out this weekend. Most problems I run into with this car tend to be unusual and will probably benefit the forum members to hear about :).

No problem guys!

Try Autozone or Advance Auto Parts, most have them available for rent. If anything else, I know for a fact most have the sockets on the shelf available for sale for around $7 to $10 (IIRC). If anything else, CAREFULLY tighten the bolt using an adjustable wrench. I know it is the ghetto way, but atleast you can put some extra torque on it than what you could by hand.

BTW..I stress CAREFULLY so you A) don't strip out the sandwich plate bolt and B) you dont slam you knuckles into the bottom of the cross member, etc.

Sounds good. You just gave me a reason to go to Autozone...always something I enjoy. But I'll come back with $100 worth of wax, interior wipes, washer fluid, etc etc most likely too!

What's the specified torque on that bolt? I thought it was something in the 15 lb-ft range.

Just a heads up...I just read on Racepartswholesale.com stating that the socket size you need is 1 1/8" ??? From what I measured, it was less than that, might go ahead and grab a 1 1/16" while you are at it (take it back when you re done).

As for the torque spec, there really is not a definitive answer. I have been digging around for about two hours looking and from what I can tell, the general rule of thumb is to torque it down roughly the same torque spec as the factory oil filter bolt. I do not have access to the FSM from my house, but I will gladly look it up when I get back in the office.

BTW... I agree with the autozone comment. I always end up getting more than what I needed originally. Thankfully AutoZone has the $20 rewards program, I cash in on that alot!

Dustin, you the man. I'll pick up a 1" and 1-1/16" to be safe. The FSM lists the oil filter torque at 13 lb-ft. Not sure if that's directly transferable to the extension bolt or not though.

You need a 1" socket...sorry, I'm late to the party. I remember the size b/c I bought the socket specifically for putting that sandwich plate on.

Sounds good. Thanks.