I noticed a slight oil weep at the bottom of my Rapide timing side crankcase yesterday, and it appeared to come from the small plug at the bottom of the crankcase below the oil pump plug and behind the end of the right side front engine plate. After I removed the plug to seal the threads I noticed that it has a conical point. When I put it back in its drilling it went in about 3/16 inch beyond flush before beginning to tighten up in the threads and felt like it was becoming thread bound rather than seating its point. I stopped at this point even though it felt like I could have continued a bit more. I did not want to strip the threads in the case. My question is whether this plug should be installed tight in its hole or just flush with the outer case surface? I assume this drilling connects in some way with a sump passage in communication with the oil pump and I would not want to obstruct oil return by blocking the passage. By the way, is there a cutaway picture anywhere of the oil circulation passages in this area? That would answer my question.
Ron
Ron