Hello s2ki, is a pre-tapped girdle replaceable? And how difficult and expensive is it to replace with a new or used one? I've googled with no results. A lot of information about tapping a girdle for FI oil lines and some other info about not swapping girdles due to bore sizes...

But I am purchasing a car that was previously tapped. I would like an OEM look and finish and want to know if the girdle is easily replaceable. Or it is something stuck to a block? Could it be welded shut?

 

I would recommend against it, it would throw the "line hone" off if there was any milling differences and you would eat main bearings. Just put a plug in the hole.

 

Thanks! That's sounds similar along the lines of what I searched and found. Plus it seems like it would be a complete PITA to replace.

Other question, although a plug would probably be the simplest route, could it be professionally welded shut? Can you weld onto that type of material?

 

It could be welded up but a weldwill be just as noticable as a plug. Its just aluminum. Welding id be more worried about the welder getting the metal thats been soaking in oil for 15 years clean enough to get a solid weld

 

Either way it's going to be a PITA to weld or tap for a plug. You're going down a rabbit hole of removing trans/engine/oil pan/crank pulley/front cover/oil pump/windage tray. Just to be able to either drill and tap or be able to clean the back side of it to weld it shut.

If it was me and it had an AN bung welded on it... I would buy an AN cap and screw it on and call it a day. Then you got a turbo drain ready when you wanna have some fun .

 

its thick enough to tap. i have my drain for my turbo going to the girdle. just drilled a hole and tapped it. tossed some thread tape on the fitting for good measure. no issues in 2+ years

if its already tapped just cap it. if your never going to go turbo toss some jbweld at it for good measure. or just hondabond a fitting in. its down and burried not really going to be noticable

 

And unless a major screw up installing a cap, its never coming loose on its own.

This wouldn't be very different than, say, the oil pressure sending unit. Its just threaded into the side of the aluminum block, and we don't see those falling out or leaking.