P.S. We can wait for the updates.

 

Rut Row!!

I was just going to take the CC out for a drive when I noticed a very small puddle of coolant on the garage floor. On further inspection I found 2 freeze plugs are leaking. One just above the starter and the other behind the motor mount. (Go figure)

Its a slow leak but I could see the freeze plugs have corroded and don't look very good. However the drivers side plugs look great. What could have caused this? The engine is only a few years old and I only run Antifreeze.

Looks like I might have to pull the engine to fix this one. While I'm at it I might as well replace my clutch with the correct flywheel and fix the HVAC blower.... Awe heck, just rebuild the thing since access will be easy. Oh and maybe a cam?

Its still derivable and in fact since my Saturday drive there are only a few drops on the floor so its not a rush but I will need to move this to the top of the "To Do" list.

 

Wow. That's really odd. Are they brass or steel core plugs? Lemme know if ya need a hand and I'll check my schedule.

It is sometimes possible to replace them in situ with the proper tools... Google for a kit with a long driver with a ball end and driver plates.

 

Here is one... S & H Industries 77756 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

 

Thanks HIO! I was thinking about hitting up my Snap on guy but how often would I use a freeze plug tool kit? Also thanks for the offer bud! It might be in the spring time at the same place fork lift and all!

 

No problem. Btw, check with Autozone to see if they carry the kit as a loaner. Ya never know...

 

Those freeze plugs seem to be a 385 series thing. Same plugs blew out in my 460 before the cummins swap. Maybe it's a hydraulic erosion problem.

 

I had the same thing happen with 2 plugs in the 390 in my 67 galaxie 500. They were fairly new, with clean antifreeze. Steel freeze plugs. When I replaced them, there was alot of rusty sludge hiding behind the plugs. It may be because it isn't driven often enough? I dont really know.
I was lucky enough to get to do it twice, replaced one, didn't think any others were bad, then a month later, another one was leaking. It took 3 months to clean up all the antifreeze and kitty litter. Oh, and antifreeze showers are awesome too. Have fun changing them.

 

Another car show event. This one only a few miles away from home. I didn't take home any trophies (Not the reason why I do this sort of thing anyway) but I did walk away with a couple of raffle ticket goodies.



I am a total Snap On tools junkie so this was a great score!




After the show I go home and have a nice cold beer and enjoy the view.



Hey look! I made the car show brochure!

 

It's mainly age and acidity. I had to replace two of mine on both sides of my engine after I bought the truck. Our trucks are roughly 40 years old or more.

Get good brass replacement ones if you re-do your engine.

 

Yeah defiantly doing the good brass plugs. Especially if I have to go through all the trouble of pulling the engine out to do something that should only take about 30 minutes to do.

 

They are a real pain to replace with the engine in the bay. Perfect time to do the engine up if the funds are there for it.

 

Life just isn't fair for the rest of us Steve

One lucky guy

 

It's doable in the truck. If you don't mind awkward positions and the possibility of coolant in your mouth and/or eyes

 

There's a tool for that: