440 engine was in a chassis car last year with external oiling, putting it in my Duster for this year with standard pan and pickup. Went to remove the pipe plug and found it was real tight. Put a good 5/16 hex bit into it and tugged hard with an 18" breaker bar, hex socket stripped out.

Motor is all together and I'm thinking of ways to get this plug out. Maybe stuff the insides with rags and drill it out?

well if you would not of mess up the hex.. I would of try some heat. is any of it sticking out ? if there is you could weld a nut on it. If not drill a hole that you could put a easy-out in. and heat it. heat first then put easy-out in. Good thing is that passage only go to the pump and with it off you clean it out.Is it for a 1/2" pickup or 3/8 ? If 1/2 need to be careful it gets thin on the block.

If there is enough of the plug threads showing you might take a small chisel and hammer and try to back it out. If not maybe grease a drill bit and use nipple extractor or ease out.

Vern, motor is all together and has residual oil everywhere, heat or welding might not work well...

Weld a bolt on?

It is a 1/2" pickup, hammer and chisel might be worth a try unless the blocks are known to crack in this area.

O heck all it will do is smoke a little ! make a little tin shield to go around that area.

That's a short passage in the block if I remember right. Take the pump off. Stuff passage with rags and drill it pretty big then start grinding it out with a drimmel tool and carbide burr. If its that tight an ez out will just break. I like to grind it pretty thin then fold it in with a punch. Just tape off the crank and rods.
Good luck!

Being that the short block is already assembled no matter what method you use its going to need a real good cleaning and maybe even taken apart. It may be a good time to buy and use a static pick-up in the oil pan. just a thought.http://store.440source.com/Oil-Pickups/products/59/

Thanks for the tips, guys. Pitts, I like that static pickup

weld a bolt, like mentioned. the heat from the welder helps too

Drive a slightly oversize Torx bit into hex, heat with propane torch and remove. If that does not work, weld a nut on.

Is the plug cast or steel? if cast that welding trick probably won't work

If it was installed with loctite, you can spay some good carb cleaner on it a few times through out the day, and usually it will let go. I had this happen to me a few times. It won't work good unless it has a chance to obsorb.