freeze plugs
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
freeze plugs
Freeze plugs are the plugs for the holes on the side of the block. These holes were there for casting purposes and really won't normally save your engine if it ever freezes but that's what they decided to call them.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 110
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From: Tulsa usa
freeze plugs
You are right on, the "freeze plugs" are actually core plugs that are used to plug the holes that are used to remove the sand from the block after it has been cast. That is why heavy duty engines have screw in Core plugs.
New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Chaplin, CT
freeze plugs
That is good news. right side rear plug rotted out on my 92
F-150. Very solid clean truck, but now i need any tips on how to proceed. i assume some long bent or hooked tool to pierce and twist out the old one and a cobble up device to lever a new on into place? Better from under the engine to reach this or from the top with the hood removed for access?
thanks
Paul
F-150. Very solid clean truck, but now i need any tips on how to proceed. i assume some long bent or hooked tool to pierce and twist out the old one and a cobble up device to lever a new on into place? Better from under the engine to reach this or from the top with the hood removed for access?
thanks
Paul
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 8
From: Brea CA
freeze plugs
Paul, you got the right idea. When I did it, the vehicle was on a lift and from underneath I used a long bent prybar to knock it in and then a hooked thing to fish it out. That was the hardest part but to be honest it's been so long I can't remember how I got the new one in. Maybe you could cheat and use one of those expandable ones you don't hammer in. I do remember coating the new plug with some sealer to help it slip in. Good luck!
Barry
Barry
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Montana
freeze plugs
Paul, use a large diameter round drift punch, place the end of punch next to outer rim of freeze plug. Tap with hammer just enough to make the freeze plug rotate. With the tapped on portion of the freeze plug inside the block, work the opposite rim outside the block, and grab it with a large pair of vice grips and pry it out. DON'T get to western beating on the punch. I saw a guy knock the plug out with a hard blow, only to have the punch/pry bar hit that thin cylinder wall backside, leaving an 1/8 inch bump the piston now has to pass over. Very bad day for that guy. Had to sleeve the block. Going back in I clean the block good. Coat rim of new freeze plug with permatex and tap in place using a socket that fits the rim, not inside the rim. I've had them leak by fitting socket to inside the rim, must not expand the rim correctly. Tap the plug in until its flush with block like other plugs.
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