Freeze plug options on engine rebuild
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Freeze plug options on engine rebuild
I am currently in the middle of building a 7.3 IDIT for my 86'. The block is bare, fresh from the machine shop. It has the original freeze plugs in it as far as I can tell. I'm thinking since the engine is already out and bare, I might as well replace the freeze plugs just for the sake of not half assing anything on this particular engine.
Anyways, I remember nmb2 and I think Anderson too, threaded the holes in the block and used pipe thread plugs instead of OE freeze plugs. What do yall think about this? I mean..if they did it, it cant be wrong right? I live in Southeast Texas so hard freezes are not existent. I just think this would be a simple and reliable means of freeze plugs. Lemme know what ya think, thanks
Anyways, I remember nmb2 and I think Anderson too, threaded the holes in the block and used pipe thread plugs instead of OE freeze plugs. What do yall think about this? I mean..if they did it, it cant be wrong right? I live in Southeast Texas so hard freezes are not existent. I just think this would be a simple and reliable means of freeze plugs. Lemme know what ya think, thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Mi'kma'ki
theres really no reason to reinvent the wheel.just replace the freeze plugs.they lasted you 29 years right? it's imperative to use the correct installation tool.if you don't know what your doing,have someone who does,do it for you.you don't want to lose a plug.
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Point taken. But my main argument is the special tool thing..I found the rotunda and OTC part # on the tool, and as far as I can tell it is an obsolete tool. Instead of buying that tool and dealing with the freeze plugs, I figured pipe plugs might be a cheaper and more reliable route. I don't know if that makes sense, just an idea. But maybe getting my machine shop to do it makes sense too..
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Maple Valley, WA
Andrew, It depends on what you want to rely on.... My bronco has the stock 7.3 freeze plugs, and I never thought twice about them... My IDIT in the IH will have screw in plugs just because I want the piece of mind. In all reality, you will probably be fine with the stockers, the rumors of spitting them out from flexing the block are old school BS, the only time they spit out is if you don't install them right, and I know that first hand... That being said, its your build, do it to your standards...If you want the piece of mind, its easy to mod the block for screw in plugs.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: New Braunfels
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15366977
Hey So. TX this guy is selling the freeze plug tool 200 shipped & insured!!!!
Hey So. TX this guy is selling the freeze plug tool 200 shipped & insured!!!!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
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never understood the concept of a "freeze plug tool"
in my rookie years, i just used a socket to instal them.
now i just grab a piece of pipe of a close diameter.
i mean sure, if youre building engines all day long as a profession, i can see how a 200 dollar tool would be beneficial,
but if youre doing a set a year, not worth the price IMO.
these are what 1.250" plugs? if you had the tap, and want to take the time to thread the cast, sure go ahead, i would just install the expansion plugs and be done with it.
ive heard the ole wifes tail that they are there incase your cooling system freezes over.
with the correct coolant in your engine, this should never happen.
its never happened to me, but i live in a warm climate.
i may be wrong, but the real reason they are there is to get the sand out after casting....
its your truck, either way will work.
in my rookie years, i just used a socket to instal them.
now i just grab a piece of pipe of a close diameter.
i mean sure, if youre building engines all day long as a profession, i can see how a 200 dollar tool would be beneficial,
but if youre doing a set a year, not worth the price IMO.
these are what 1.250" plugs? if you had the tap, and want to take the time to thread the cast, sure go ahead, i would just install the expansion plugs and be done with it.
ive heard the ole wifes tail that they are there incase your cooling system freezes over.
with the correct coolant in your engine, this should never happen.
its never happened to me, but i live in a warm climate.
i may be wrong, but the real reason they are there is to get the sand out after casting....
its your truck, either way will work.
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Senior User
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Thanks for the input yall, Im going to think on it some more and see what I decide. Either way, I think it will work out. And thanks for the link 85idi, Ill look into it
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Maple Valley, WA
This is all the holes are for...to connect the "Core" to the main mold during casting, and that's it.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Newberg Oregon
If the originals are still in there , leave them, they are stainless and dont rust so no need to replace them. Having built many of these engines ill never remove them unless using threaded or block is absolutely full of crap.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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I live in so TX also and have replaced several plugs that rusted thru and started leaking coolant so their not all stainless but I never replaced one on a diesel yet. I have never replaced one that wasn't already leaking.
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