Hello,
I would first like to thank all who helped w/my flywheel problem. After seeing the price of a new one, I took my old one to a machine shop and had the broken bolt drilled out and the flywheel resurfaced. Everything went back together well, but I discovered a bad freeze plug under the starter. Is there a secret to installing these. I have been unable to put in a new one. Thanks for any help!
James Q

 

So I am to believe you have the old one out? You can buy rubber replacement plugs that have a "spreader" bolt in the center of them. You just pop it in and tighten the bolt until it seals. If you wish to go with brass, then apply some silicone around the edge of the plug and drive it in until it is seated about 1/8" below block level. You need to use a large socket or something round, not big enough to make it to the edges, to drive it in straight.

--Mike

 

The best solution is to replace them with brass or steel plugs.
However, you really need to remove the engine to replace them that way.
However, again, comma, the rubber plugs work great. Be sure to remove all the old steel one, but not overtighten the rubber one. I have had rubber ones in my 352 for over 10 years now.

Remove the weakened plug first by driving screwdriver into it. Be careful not to hit the cylinder wall behind the plug, or you may crack it.
Prise the plug out.
Reach inside with a finger to remove the sludge built up behind the old plug. You don't need it clean, just enough to make sure the rubber plug can seat all the way in.
Install the rubber plug, tighten the bolt and you are done!

 

Thanks for the replies,
I do have the old one out and I did install a rubber expansion plug. The bolt on the expansion plug sticks out too far for me to install the starter correctly! I have to reinstall a steel or brass plug and have not had any success.
Thanks again,
James Q

 

I had exhaust done on my 65 last yr and had had a weeping plug in same location...opted to change them all....easy to get to w/o m/folds on for them...
Their biggest problem was finding the correct size in brass...they did eventually ....the ones that werent leaking look sad bigtime....brass ones were 3 bucks a pop, but easier driving as its softer mat'l....IMHO, while you doing that one at least do the other rear one as the motor leans rearward and all the crud that accumulates in the rear of the block....
I did use one of those rubber plugs....long time ago...not on a Ford though...I decided it wanted to get intimate with the freeway....worst place to go but it did...and at night no less....

I just called my shop I had mine done at...they ended up finding them at a boat repair place locally....they were a royal pain for my shop to find in brass....If you have a shop manual...a Ford issue, the size they list is a weird size...its a something 32nds as I recall....



Hope this sheds a bit of light on the subject...cs65

 

Try a deep freeze plug that is shaped like a bowl, so to speak. It has walls like a bowl that will help pop into place. I have trouble with the flat freeze plugs. You just use a socket that fits inside it and with an extension on it and tap it in. Make sure all the old one is gone and the edge of the hole is clean. Some people use that old Indian Head sealer on them to seal the block edge. Drive it in so you have about a 1/8 or so sticking out. The starter should clear that.

Barry

 

I agree, brass ones are best, but I would prefer to use a rubber plug rather than have potential exhaust manifold troubles for the sake of a brass one. Just my opinion, though.

However, I have replaced the plug behind my starter, it is one of the oldest ones, too. I had no trouble with the bolt length, so something isn't quite right here.
Maybe you need slightly larger rubber plug??
I'm sorry I don't have a better answer.