Can somebody tell me where the feeze plugs are all located on a 351W HO?I've had to replace the one on the right side of the block and one on the rear of the right side head(viewed from sittin' in the drivers seat).They had rusted thru after 18 years and 155,000 miles.I may as well replace the rest of them before they start leaking while on the road.I'm hoping I wont need to pull the engine out to replace the rest of them.

 

should be 3 on each side of the block, 1 on each end of the heads

 

what does the freeze plugs do accually? i never understood what they do.

 

Don't quote me on this Pete. I believe they are part of the manufacturing process when the blocks are cast.They also help up North in case your coolant freezes.May save the block from cracking by giving the ice a place to expand.Like I said,don't quote me on this but I think it's fairly accurate.Only problem is like in my case where they are the thinnest place for rust to break thru after so many years.To replace them ya gotta be able to get at em' straight with a hammer and that's kinda hard to do with engine still in.I'm not sure there isn't one on the back of the block.If there is I definitely have to pull the engine to replace that one.I was hoping to be able to the job with the engine still in the truck.

 

Dee word of advice when you replace them use the ones used for marine engines they are brass and you won't have the rust problem again. I think the holes were more used to clean the sand out of castings after being cast, as far as freeze plugs I have only seen one pop after the block has cracked around one to relieve the pressure on it. Murphys Law

Good Luck
Skip_T
1934 PU