Ford Repair: Oil pan plug, oil pan plug, aluminum pan

Question
When I took my '01 Escape in for an oil change, they found out that the oil plug threads were stripped. When they tried to screw it back in after changing the oil it would not tighten up. Fortunately, they had a "universal" plug that they were able to put in. It's an expansion type bolt with a gasket on it. You probably already know that, though.
They told me I should try to get the threads re-tapped and a slightly larger plug put in. It is an aluminum pan, which is why it stripped out so easily, and it has 150,000 miles on it , so after that many oil changes it was bound to happen, I think.
My Question is:
Can I just live with this "universal" plug? It seems like it is doing the job just fine. As long as I keep an eye on it, will it be OK to use?
Thanks,
Dave

Answer
Dave,

Yes the universal plug is fine for now, but the next time you change your oil it may give you problems. There is a company which makes a really neat valve that threads into the oil pan and replaces the drain plug. They cost about $20. I would order it in the OS1 (over size 1) from the factory size your truck takes. I'll try to get you a website were they sell them. Then you will not have to ever worry about drain plug threads again.