Hey there. So the other day I noticed a mystery liquid under my new '65 F250 with the FE engine swap. After a little investigating I identified the liquid as coolant and after about 20 more minutes of searching, I found the location of the coolant leak (see pic). Let me preface my questions by stating that I don't know a lot about engines, but I'm a quick learner and very motivated to learn more about engine operation and repair. So...

1. Have I correctly identified the leak source as the freeze plug (frost plug, expansion plug, etc.)?
2. Am I correct that, as long as I have access to the freeze plugs, they are not really difficult to replace?
3. Is brass preferable to steel for freeze plugs?
4. Is there anything else I should know about this?

Thanks.


The culprit

 

1 yes, 2 yes, 3 yes, 4 yes.

4: Sealer, yes or no. Google "best sealer for freeze plugs" and find a running argument as old as the internet with for and against (sealer or no sealer) both reporting good results.

I did a brass one dry on a 390--the fun one behind the starter. Didn't leak. One of the few things automotive I did for my dad that worked.

 

Thanks for the quick response. One more thing... I was checking out RockAuto. Am I likely to need shallow cup or deep cup? Or do I just need to wait to see what I pull out?

 

See what's in there. I don't recall what I used. These come right up in any parts search.

 

They also make those rubber ones where you just stick the plug in the hole and tighten the nut to squeezeeee the rubber....

 

I just did the one behind the starter on my 65 352. Spent about two hours cursing the POs that decided it would be a good idea to weld the header collectors to the pipe. Yes, you read that right, one piece exhaust from the head to the chrome tips, with hangers welded to the frame.