Bad Freeze Plugs
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Bad Freeze Plugs
Good Day, I have a 1985 Ford F250 HD with a 7.5l XLT Lariat. My issue is the block plugs (freeze plugs) are leaking on each side. Has anyone had any luck replacing them while the motor is in the engine? I believe that there is a plug behind the motor mount on each side. It appears that there is very little room to replace squarely with the engine still in the motor. I don't like the rubber seals, I guess I am just old school. Any help is certainly appreciated. Thanks, RJ
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Pull the motor and do them right.
I have a factory v8 in a small body car that a plug started leaking on.
Till I could pull the motor to replace it with the rubber type I . Shortly after I had another start leaking, rubber plug again and another leaked. Even had 1 in a head leak.
All the rubber plugs were so I could move the car till I had time for a good repair. The time has not come yet and it has been close to 10 years now and the car sits in my garage.
Again pull the motor and replace them all and enjoy the truck.
Dave ----
I have a factory v8 in a small body car that a plug started leaking on.
Till I could pull the motor to replace it with the rubber type I . Shortly after I had another start leaking, rubber plug again and another leaked. Even had 1 in a head leak.
All the rubber plugs were so I could move the car till I had time for a good repair. The time has not come yet and it has been close to 10 years now and the car sits in my garage.
Again pull the motor and replace them all and enjoy the truck.
Dave ----
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
I had to pull the engine in my ranger and replace them. Someone never changed the anti-freeze in it, just kept adding water. It was full of rust sludge, the radiator would not even drain. I finally got it all cleaned out, and that is when the freeze plugs started leaking, one on each side. I tried the rubber expanding plugs, but one of them kept popping out. I barely got those type in place. I finally pulled the engine and glad I did, this 2.9 v6 has a freeze plug behind the bellhousing and it was seeping. You can't change that one without pulling the engine. I have since found out the 6.9/7.3 idi diesels also have a freeze plug in behind the bellhousing area also. Don't know if the 460 does or not.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
The problem I had with the 2.9 v6, there was not enough depth in the water jacket to get the rubber plug far enough into the freeze plug hole. The 460 may have a deeper water jacket and it would work better. If you desperately need the truck, you could try them and see if they work for you.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 26
From: NJ
I've had one leak, then some time after replacing the old hardened o-ring it fell out going down the highway. It was a long run to a nearby NAPA to to get there for a rubber plug before they closed.
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
Not exactly sure how it could fall out as they are captured in place with a butterfly on the back. And a leaking block heater is pretty rare beast. I have far fewer leaking block heaters than freeze plugs. Think I had one that leaked.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: NEW ZEALAND
A good tempory fix . " Seal Tabs " you put them in your top hose whole and they only block the leak where there is oxygen , my freeze plug was leaking badly drip drip and it easily fixed it , changed them about a year later . Took motor out .fitted brass ones !
Last edited by NZCOBRA; Mar 20, 2018 at 02:35 AM. Reason: More info
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 26
From: NJ
The retaining bar on the backside had cracked, judging from the part of it I found.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
Always a risk when you reuse block heaters as they are technically an install one use.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
irvdog63
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Apr 6, 2018 09:02 PM
first today
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Oct 10, 2010 06:57 AM
nissanjon
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Dec 17, 1999 03:58 PM