Freeze plugs
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 62
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From: Bay Point, Ca
Freeze plugs
Hello everybody I got another question, About two months ago I replace the freeze plug on the rear passenger side head and had to put in one of those rubber plugs in because I couldn't get the right angle to push/hammer the brass one in. Has anybody replaced one of those before? If so how did you do it? I found that the edge of the access and the a/c hoses prevented me from using the a long extension and hammer to pound it in. Any ideas?
Hector.
P.S. I found out yesterday that rubber plug was leaking so I gave the bolt a couple more turns. I hope it works.
Hector.
P.S. I found out yesterday that rubber plug was leaking so I gave the bolt a couple more turns. I hope it works.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 435
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From: Corpus Christi, Tx. 78418
Hector,
I'm just posting to move this back to the top of the list so someone else may see it and respond. I haven't had to replace freeze plugs yet, so I can't help you there. Maybe someone else can.
About the only thing I might suggest is to remove the head from the van to gain better access to replace the freeze plug.
Ron
I'm just posting to move this back to the top of the list so someone else may see it and respond. I haven't had to replace freeze plugs yet, so I can't help you there. Maybe someone else can.
About the only thing I might suggest is to remove the head from the van to gain better access to replace the freeze plug.
Ron
Last edited by rlmdad; Feb 11, 2004 at 02:59 AM.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 500
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From: laurel springs NJ
I have done both on the front. Basically removed everything from front of the engeine to get to those suckers. I also replaced a rear freeze plug. I believe it was passenger side. I was going to do drivers side since I was already there, but had same problem with getting my big meatty hands in there.
I guess as the previous post stated, you might have to remove the head to get it out. Sounds like an awful lot of work. But if it has to be done.........
Good Luck
reever
I guess as the previous post stated, you might have to remove the head to get it out. Sounds like an awful lot of work. But if it has to be done.........
Good Luck
reever
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Bay Point, Ca
Thanx rmldad and reever,
I was afraid of that, I tightend the rubber one and it seems to be holding for now
I'll wait until I have to burrow in there for something else or the rubber one doesn't hold (knock on wood).
Thanks again.
Hector
I was afraid of that, I tightend the rubber one and it seems to be holding for now
I'll wait until I have to burrow in there for something else or the rubber one doesn't hold (knock on wood).Thanks again.
Hector
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 435
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From: Corpus Christi, Tx. 78418
Hector,
Sorry...been busy for a while...if the rubber plug is leaking already, I'd recommend that you remove the head and change to the brass plug ASAP. You don't want to get caught out on the road miles from nowhere without coolant.
Ron
Sorry...been busy for a while...if the rubber plug is leaking already, I'd recommend that you remove the head and change to the brass plug ASAP. You don't want to get caught out on the road miles from nowhere without coolant.
Ron
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Orland USA
tomucen:
I got mine from NAPA Auto Parts. Just buy them as singles they were only like 50-75 cents each.
The Block uses 5 of them that are 1 1/2"
2 at the back of the engine, I on the drivers side, 2 on the passengers side.
The Heads use 4 of them that are 1 1/4"
1 in each end.
I got mine from NAPA Auto Parts. Just buy them as singles they were only like 50-75 cents each.
The Block uses 5 of them that are 1 1/2"
2 at the back of the engine, I on the drivers side, 2 on the passengers side.
The Heads use 4 of them that are 1 1/4"
1 in each end.
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From: Orland USA
AeroBay:
When you put in those rubber plugs you also have to make sure you put a washer on the back side of the plug. Most just come with a bolt through the rubber with a washer on the front side with a nut.
With a washer on each side it will make the rubber plug squeeze out more for a tighter fit. I had a rubber one I did that to that was in the van for 5 years with no leak.
It was one on the side of the engine. Replaced it when I rebuilt.
When you put in those rubber plugs you also have to make sure you put a washer on the back side of the plug. Most just come with a bolt through the rubber with a washer on the front side with a nut.
With a washer on each side it will make the rubber plug squeeze out more for a tighter fit. I had a rubber one I did that to that was in the van for 5 years with no leak.
It was one on the side of the engine. Replaced it when I rebuilt.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: northern BC
freeze plug alternative
here's a thought from wwaayy up north where it's damn cold and we use a thing called a block heater which is a metal cup with an o-ring and a bolt and butterfly set-up which you install with a 1/4 drive ratchet. And I have used these to replace a blown out frost plug where access is limited. Oddly enough I am going to check mine in the morning as I have an antifreeze leak in that area!
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Bay Point, Ca
Thankx everybody!!
I thigtened the rubber plug and it hasn't leaked yet!!
Maybe I didn't tightened it enough the first time around. I'm going to wait until I have less things to do to the van and then I'll attack it
Oh and here is my to do list and not to mention what I've done already:
Replace upper and lower control arm bushings (driver side).
Replace upper intake seal.
oil change and lube.
Install front heater valve.
Replace sparkplug wires.
Check sparkplugs.
Turn front discs.
Replace trans rear oil seal.
Install new cd/cassete deck w/speakers,amps and dvd player.
Replace differential oil.
Replace leaking power steering hose.
Replace leaking rear engine seal.
Sigh......In between I have a kids room remodeling project my Boss...ejem... wife has lined up for me. or maybe to hell with it and I'll just take my telescope out and watch the stars
Most of the things I've done and I'm about to do I've learned here from you guys and gals so thanks for for sharing your knowlege
Hector
P.S Hey JT how's that second engine comming along?
I thigtened the rubber plug and it hasn't leaked yet!!
Maybe I didn't tightened it enough the first time around. I'm going to wait until I have less things to do to the van and then I'll attack it Oh and here is my to do list and not to mention what I've done already:Replace upper and lower control arm bushings (driver side).
Replace upper intake seal.
oil change and lube.
Install front heater valve.
Replace sparkplug wires.
Check sparkplugs.
Turn front discs.
Replace trans rear oil seal.
Install new cd/cassete deck w/speakers,amps and dvd player.
Replace differential oil.
Replace leaking power steering hose.
Replace leaking rear engine seal.
Sigh......In between I have a kids room remodeling project my Boss...ejem... wife has lined up for me. or maybe to hell with it and I'll just take my telescope out and watch the stars
Most of the things I've done and I'm about to do I've learned here from you guys and gals so thanks for for sharing your knowlege
Hector
P.S Hey JT how's that second engine comming along?
Last edited by AeroBay; Mar 4, 2004 at 09:28 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Orland USA
AeroBay:
Compleatly stripped and waiting for the parts to show up so I can take the Block and heads to be hot tanked, Heads to be shaved, new cam bearings to be pressd into the Block . Oh and new pistons have to be pressed on the old rods.
Been cleaning brackets and such to get them painted while I wait.
Compleatly stripped and waiting for the parts to show up so I can take the Block and heads to be hot tanked, Heads to be shaved, new cam bearings to be pressd into the Block . Oh and new pistons have to be pressed on the old rods.
Been cleaning brackets and such to get them painted while I wait.
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for what it is worth i had a leaking freeze plug on the drivers side and i steel woolled the outside of the plug , around the block and fill the old freeze plug with steel epoxy puddy. so far so good and a really easy fix. i got the stuff at home depoe.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 500
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From: laurel springs NJ
Hey Lasher,
You do know the reason for the Freeze Plugs, don't you?
Sheeesh......
Please tell us you didn't epoxy the plug to the block, and filled in where the plug is. Sounds like you glued the whole thing to the block......
You do know the reason for the Freeze Plugs, don't you?
Sheeesh......
Please tell us you didn't epoxy the plug to the block, and filled in where the plug is. Sounds like you glued the whole thing to the block......
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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i filled the old freeze plug in the block with epoxy puddy. Freeze plug is not going to just pop out.it has the old plug to support it. The holes for the freeze plugs are casting holes from casting the block.They had to fill the holes so they pounded in steel plugs. when it froze and you had water in the block the plugs would pop out. this is were the the name freeze plug came from.
A freeze plug will not guarrantee you will not crack you block.
Old ford v8 flat heads did not even have freeze plugs.
They were able to cast this block without them.
i will see how long my patch last. the worst is it will start leaking again and then i will replace it
A freeze plug will not guarrantee you will not crack you block.
Old ford v8 flat heads did not even have freeze plugs.
They were able to cast this block without them.
i will see how long my patch last. the worst is it will start leaking again and then i will replace it