Air Compressor Drain Plug

[DewittMotorsports]

The air compressor I bought today is missing the drain plug, its a 1961 tank so i highly doubt I will find an original one, do they make replacements or a good substitute for one or am i just SOL

 

[wellstig1]

I can almost guarantee that it will be pipe thread. Measure it and go to your local hardware store to get a pipe plug for it.

 

[Indy_500]

i just brought home a super old air compressor today too, i went to harbor freight and found the same exact part your looking for.

 

[DewittMotorsports]

I flipped it over and looked earlier but I couldnt see any threads, I'll take another look

 

[TheDukeofDeere]

Yep, find a close ****** pipe that fits then attach a simple ball valve for quick drains without the effort of unscrewing a plug all of the time.

 

[DewittMotorsports]

Ok I finally got around to taking the pump and motor off to flip this over and take a look again, it does not have threads and the outer edge is jagged metal like the head of the plug or bolt has been broke off. What do you guys think? (Not the best pics but kinda shows what i'm talking about)

If it is a broken plug how do I get it out of there, probably an EZ out?

 

[mikevango]

yea the petcock is broke off in there

 

[mikevango]

spray it with penetrating oil. heat it up. use a hammer and small chisel to back it out. tap tap tap with the hammer after the chisel grabs it

 

[Indy_500]

your "****" not trying to be funny here that is what it's called broke off. same thing happened to mine. and seriously i'm not trying to be funny i just don't know of any other way of putting it.

 

[Indy_500]

yea the petcock is broke off in there

dang ya beat me to it!

 

[ZRX61]

Just drill it out to the next size up. Tap it for pipe thread. Fit a L (90deg) & ball valve.

 

[DewittMotorsports]

spray it with penetrating oil. heat it up. use a hammer and small chisel to back it out. tap tap tap with the hammer after the chisel grabs it

Dont have anything to heat it up with, next best solution?

Thanks

 

[mikevango]

go buy a small propane torch. you'll need it again someday

 

[mikevango]

drilling it will help get it hot too. drill out the middle till there is only a little bit of the petcock remaining.

 

[DewittMotorsports]

That I could probably do with out having to buy things lol this method shouldnt damage the original threads should it? that is if its done right

drilling it will help get it hot too. drill out the middle till there is only a little bit of the petcock remaining.

 

[Scout Driver]

Start drilling it out with left-handed drill bits. As you progressively start using larger bits, chances are that the bit will "bite" the broken petcock and turn it out. Then you can use a thread chaser or tap to clean up the threads. If you don't already have a set of left-handed bits, get some. You may not use them often, but they are a life-saver when they are needed.

Scott

 

[DewittMotorsports]

I dont have any bits at all so I'll have to pick up a few sets

Start drilling it out with left-handed drill bits. As you progressively start using larger bits, chances are that the bit will "bite" the broken petcock and turn it out. Then you can use a thread chaser or tap to clean up the threads. If you don't already have a set of left-handed bits, get some. You may not use them often, but they are a life-saver when they are needed.

Scott

 

[Scout Driver]

I dont have any bits at all so I'll have to pick up a few sets

You can always use more tools! Best of luck with your compressor.

Scott

 

[89MustangGX]

Before getting too far into this, try basics first. I had the exact same situation with an air compressor I bought. I pounded on a big screwdriver a few times to seat the tip into the rest of the fitting (it's probably brass so the screwdriver will seat into it). Then, I just unscrewed it. It came out pretty easy.

Adam

 

[Tatersalad]

Before getting too far into this, try basics first. I had the exact same situation with an air compressor I bought. I pounded on a big screwdriver a few times to seat the tip into the rest of the fitting (it's probably brass so the screwdriver will seat into it). Then, I just unscrewed it. It came out pretty easy.

Adam

TOOL ABUSE!!! J/K Sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do!

 

[gary41276]

use a internal pipe wrench thats what there made for.

.

 

[DewittMotorsports]

Got a picture of the this drain set up looks like?

Just drill it out to the next size up. Tap it for pipe thread. Fit a L (90deg) & ball valve.

 

[atari]

You don't want what came from the factory, It was a little wing nut looking thing with a hole in the middle. Its a pain to get to when your trying to drain the tank. Figure out what size the hole is and get a 90 degree fitting and a ball valve. You could even get the appropriate sized piece of pipe and make the ball valve stick out a little so you don't have to reach under the tank. I also put a 90 on the outlet of the ball valve so the water sprays down to the floor and not all over me.


Tank
L___________ball valve

 

[Zrexxer]

You could even get the appropriate sized piece of pipe and make the ball valve stick out a little so you don't have to reach under the tank. I also put a 90 on the outlet of the ball valve so the water sprays down to the floor and not all over me.


Tank
L___________ball valve

Kind of like this:

 

[ZRX61]

I pounded on a big screwdriver a few times to seat the tip into the rest of the fitting .......
Adam

Let me guess, you own a Harley?

 

[ZRX61]

Got a picture of the this drain set up looks like?

Similar to Zrexxers... I have the 90deg elbow (called a *Street L*) a 6in brass bib & then the ball valve.

Crack the valve a tad & hose water across the floor...

Then mop up...

Saves the excitement/grief of reaching under the tank & ******* off a Black Widow...

 

[Flathead Red]

Similar to Zrexxers... I have the 90deg elbow (called a *Street L*) a 6in brass bib & then the ball valve.

Crack the valve a tad & hose water across the floor...

Then mop up...

Saves the excitement/grief of reaching under the tank & ******* off a Black Widow...

Why didn't I think of that earlier. Great idea! I'll be putting that in this weekend. Thanks

Red

 

[larry_g]

Why didn't I think of that earlier. Great idea! I'll be putting that in this weekend. Thanks

Red

While your at it get some hose and run it outside and you will save the mopping step. Use clear hose and you can see when it blows clear.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ZRX61]

While your at it get some hose and run it outside and you will save the mopping step. Use clear hose and you can see when it blows clear.

Or use a longer bib & just run it through the wall with the valve on the outside..

 

[Zrexxer]

While your at it get some hose and run it outside and you will save the mopping step. Use clear hose and you can see when it blows clear.

The first time you crack that valve and that hose starts flying around like a demonically possessed bullwhip, you might re-think that idea. Don't ask how I know this.

 

[ZRX61]

The *L* that screws into the tank drain hole looks like this:

Then you add a 6in bib & stick the valve on the end...

 

[DewittMotorsports]

The *L* that screws into the tank drain hole looks like this:

Then you add a 6in bib & stick the valve on the end...

Is the female end threaded? I was going to get a male end elbow like you have there and thread a 5in pipe into it with a elbow on the end

 

[ZRX61]

Yup, the thread you can see goes into the tank, the female end takes the 6in bib (male thread on each end)..

Here's a shot under my tank:

 

[Zrexxer]

Is the female end threaded? I was going to get a male end elbow like you have there and thread a 5in pipe into it with a elbow on the end

The part pictured is called a street elbow. And fwiw, a bib is usually a faucet or a valve, such as you would connect a garden hose to. The six inch part ZRX61 is referring to is properly known as a pipe ******.

 

[ZRX61]

The six inch part ZRX61 is referring to is properly known as a pipe ******.

You're correct....dunno WTF I was thinking.... I usually fixate on *******...

 

[Todd.Brock]

I finally got my IR compressor rebuilt and running a couple weeks ago. I was waiting for it to explode, but the only thing that happened is the pet **** leaked. I really didnt want to buy a new one. This is great info, I have been meaning to post this for a week now. Maybe I can take the petcock to Lowes to match up the thread diameter. Thanks!

 

[polo2k]

This thread inspired me a bit so I went out and got some bits and bobs:

that little black handle just wouldnt do!

old and new

All imstalled

Works quite well, I was thinking of adding a length of pipe with a flattened end so that it will "air sweep" the garage when I drain the tank