How difficult is this?? can it be done without pulling engine??

 

Never done it on one of these, but on several other types. It wouldn't be easy, but not impossible. Jack up the engine some, block and brace under the oil pan, remove the motor mount for extra room, and you should be able to. Probably have to remove the front tire too.

 

Never gonna happen correctly

 

X2 what type four said.

 

Oh, trust me, it can be done. No truck shop I know would pull an engine just for a freeze plug. Couple guys I know of had to build a custom driver that angled into nooks and crannies, and was powered by a air hammer, just to do freeze plugs. One was an old 1/2 drive socket with a piece of 3/4 stock welded to it at a 45 degree angle that the air hammer pushed on. You had to drive it one way, turn it on the other side of the obstruction, then drive it the other way. Helped to seal it if they slathered it down in Permatex too.
Those were for the cup-style of plugs. My 6.9 has the flat brass style, so, if they all have those, they would probably be easier.
Didn't say it was the preferred way, but, like I say, no truck shop is gonna let a mechanic yank an engine just for a freeze plug.

 

I can get a cup type in almost anywhere, the disc type are a bitch, in the clear, would you want to warranty that repair.
I have gone so far as to hole saw the frame then weld the piece back in.

Ask nmb2 if they are not done right what happens
and d o not use brass in an idi.

 

I have read that cup type plugs, DO NOT work in these engines,(not sure why) and if I remember correctly there is a special tool that is highly recommended to use on these.
There has been several cases of plugs blowing out of reman engines, that I have read about.

 

Why shouldn't you use brass cup type freeze plugs on the IDI?

 

what about those once u can put in a tighten a nut ??


also it leaking past the block heater also. is my block heater shot or maybe just an o ring?? so much trouble for a small amount of carelessness.

usually it doesn't get cold enough to freeze block til janary of feb but we had 2 days of freezing temps. and in the summer there was 2 days of extreme heat. I lost best friend on that summer day. ugghhh. hate thinking about it.