Last weekend I attempted to drain the oil. I had previously ordered the 8mm square 3/8" square socket adapter to get the factory plug out. What I found was the square plug all chewed up from previous mechanics/DIY-ers using the wrong tools.
First I tried to use a hammer to tap the square socket into the plug but this proved difficult if not impossible as the frame lip is just a couple of inches from the plug (thanks DeLorean engineers). Not wanting to possibly destroy a new tool, I took an old lag bolt and got after it with my bench grinder. I was able to create a slightly smaller square plug. Using a pair of vise-grips, I tried to break the plug loose but still to no avail.
Finally I made some very slight grinds on my 8mm square socket and got the socket to fit the plug. From this point I was able to get the plug out and drain the oil. I purchased a replacement plug with a traditional 17mm hex-head on it along with a copper crush washer. Installing the new plug took all of 10 seconds.
My next job was to replace the 2 oil senders. Yes I said 2. This car has a light and gauge, both for oil pressure. Getting the light sender out was a real pain. The catalytic converter from the exhaust was right in the way so a traditional socket and ratchet proved useless, both in the 3/8" & 1/2" variety. I pulled out my 3/8" butterfly impact along with a 6" extension and was able to get it connected just above the cat. It wasn't the easiest to get my hands on it but it was the best thing I could come up with in my garage.
The gauge sender is on the other side of the engine block right next to the oil filter. I removed the old filter, removed the old sender, cleaned the sender surface with some carb cleaner and a shop towel, and then installed the new sender and oil filter. This was much easier as there was more room to work.
With all the engine oil pieces replaced and buttoned back up, all that's left to do now is fill it back up with oil. I picked up some Castrol conventional 20W-50 per spec and community consensus. I'll put 5 quarts in it tonight. It calls for 6 but I'll need to get the engine running first to fill up all the components and check the level again.
Finally, here's a pic of the rear of the car with the newly refurbished rear louvre. It turned out slightly more glossy than I wanted but it is such an improvement at this point, I'm happy with it.
