If you go back through these 5 pages I'll bet you find your answers!
Or one of us who has recently read this thread could be courteous and simply answer the question.
The plug can be either aluminum or steel. Loctite the alum one and tack weld the steel one. 15261-96860 aluminum and 15261-96880 the steel one.
I haven't heard (but also am not that familiar with this issue) but...the rear plug doesn't seem to be a similar issue. Your Kubota dealer can probably help answer this question (and Messicks has some of the most helpful technical-experts in the business besides our own NIW.) Give them a call.
As low oil pressure issues go generally (and
other than specifically caused by a mechanical fault such as a missing gallery/cam plug),,,. an engine at low idle can be left alone at 5 psi without harm usually, as long as above idle the oil pressure comes up within normal operating pressures (20 psi or greater). This statement is actually made by most engine mfr's in factory documentation. My aircraft engine mfr'r states it, as does Ford/NH.
At low idle the engine is not doing any real "work" and spinning shafts only need a light oil-film to prevent damage to themselves and bearings. 5 psi is commonly acceptable specifications for hot engines at idle. Taking an engine apart that is old/infrequently-used may not make economical good sense if pressure comes up above idle. It is usually a sign of worn (or improperly-sized-when-assembled) main crankshaft bearings with excessive clearance. As an example, I have personally operated an engine with 5 psi at idle that recovered oil pressure to 20+ psi for as long as 15+ years and then sold that tractor to another owner who continued operating it without repairing that "defect". The only significant adjustment I made was to use SAE 50 aircraft oil rather than the recommended SAE 30 automotive. It would start up and indicate 35 psi...then heat up during work and drop to 20 psi (while pulling a much-too large shredder for the tractor for 6-8 hours a day) and indicate only 5 psi at hot idle as I put it away in the shed.
Not saying that's the ideal...only that for old equipment... it can be reduced to a simple question: "How much do I want to spend to correct a "defect" that makes little difference in actual practice?" I think that the 15 years of service I got out of that little 9N Ford without tearing apart the lower-end was the correct response. So does it's new owner.
