SMC Air Dryer: How to plug it

[NotSoSimple]

I have a nice SMC Ambient Air Dryer (Model AMG550). The auto drain was leaking air and I had enough so I took it apart, cleaned all of the oil and put it back together. I ended up snapping the auto drain in half (Do not over tighten plastic nuts). Problem is the aluminum cast housing is not tapped on the bottom, and I do not have a tap big enough.

I have called around and they do not sell the part, you have to buy the entire unit again. I know *legally* I am not supposed to do it with a compressed air product; So mods if this is a no no feel free to shut it down. How can I plug the bottom of this unit to withstand pressure?

 

[MattT]

You could probably put a bulkhead fitting, with a sealing washer, in the hole then screw a ballvalve into the fitting for manual draining.

 

[tonydanzah]

why cant you legally plug it?

 

[weegaz22]

dunno what size the hole is but you could use a tire valve with some silicone if its small enough

 

[larry_g]

You could probably put a bulkhead fitting, with a sealing washer, in the hole then screw a ballvalve into the fitting for manual draining.

This sounds like a good suggestion. Push comes to shove make a large head plug that inserts from the inside and rtv into postion till you can come up with a final solution.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[NotSoSimple]

You could probably put a bulkhead fitting, with a sealing washer, in the hole then screw a ballvalve into the fitting for manual draining.

That seems to be the best option. HD/Lowes have them you think?