I am relocating my dipstick from the front to the side of the block. What type of metal is the plug made of that you are using? The guy at the auto store told me that the copper metal plug I wanted to use would react to the aluminum metal and would rust pretty quickly. Just wondering if you guys had any rust issues?

I've never used a tap before and is having some issues. Did you guy's have to drill out the smaller hole to the same size as the bigger hole to make the tap work? I'm using a (I think you call it) starter tap and the skinny portion of the tap is touching the bottom of the big hole and the 1/4in thread portion isn't hitting the walls yet. Someome told me use a bottom type tap and I wouldn't have to drill out the hole. What's the difference between the two taps?

 

On my swap, I re-used the plug that was there. I simply drove the plug out of my 3.4. Now, this was on a '97 Tacoma engine which still had the hole in the block for the mid-mounted dipstick tube. This was eliminated, apparently, in later block castings.

As for the tap, I used a normal tap and tapped from the bottom up. With the oilpan off, of course. You might need to pre-drill the hole first. Your tap set should tell you what size to drill.

 

Thanks for the response. If you tapped from the bottom up, wouldn't the threads be reversed? Did you tap the bigger 1/4" hole or the smaller 1/8" hole? I have a 98 5vze.

 

I got lucky and already had the hole in the right place. I removed the the fitting and swaped it with the fitting from the 3.0 block as for the whole on the front cover. I dont recall the size but i do recal going to tacoma screw and getting a tap for 1/4 npt i think and got a matching plug. It was in a write up on the 3.4 swaps.... read those. search "tap" and "plug" in the search function and use advanced search and narrow it down to the 3.4 swap section

 

You tapping the front hole correct just to install a plug where the dipstick was originally?

You shouldnt need to tap the new hole where the dipstickis going to be in the middle.

Maybe I am reading this wrong but is sounds like you are tapping the new hole. dont do that.

Check out page 2 of my thread. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f160...ex-cab-196823/

 

I had to drill out my 2001 Tacoma block. Was real easy just sited it and did a pre drill then ran the bigger size up behind it. Then counter sunk the dip stick a little. You kinda sound confused about the tap part. If you have the plug like the guys have said you don't need to drill. If you have a solid block like I did then dril. As for filling up the old spot I used an old bolt I had sitting around from the 3.0 and then used the black form in place gasket to seal all around it. Maybe even used steel weld epoxy.

 

I already installed the union on the new dip stick location. I'm trying to plug the front location. Looking into the hole it's lke a bowl with a small hole in the bottom. Did you guy's have to inlarge the smaller hole to match the bigger hole prior to tapping it? What metal is your plug made of? The guy at the parts store told me that the brass plug might react with the aluminum causing it to corrode.

 

You don't need to enlarge it and it really is just preventing dirt from going in and oil splatter to come out. As for the brass plug I wouldn't use it, just use a steel boltput a nut on the back with a lock washer and sealant like I did.

 

Um, does it matter which way you install a bolt into a nut?

I used a 1/4" plug to seal off the old dipstick hole.