[C2] How To?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,578
Likes: 334
I just did this a year ago. There was no way I could remove plugs without removing shields. And if the plugs have never been removed, you are in for a job. And penetrating fluid has never worked for me unless you can wiggle the plug.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,787
Likes: 2,395
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
Total buggers to get to, but as stated, a lot of coolant, and potentially a not inconsiderable amount of spalled iron crud gets left in the cooling system.
Also total buggers to get out. If you get to them, use all your best patience to get them out. Do not use an adjustable wrench, they'll just round off. When I had my engine block done, I had the threads chased and the plugs replaced with allen wrench plugs (and yes, I'll suffer any originality deduction
).
Good Luck!
Also total buggers to get out. If you get to them, use all your best patience to get them out. Do not use an adjustable wrench, they'll just round off. When I had my engine block done, I had the threads chased and the plugs replaced with allen wrench plugs (and yes, I'll suffer any originality deduction
).Good Luck!
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Race Director
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From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5,410
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From: Glen Allen VA
Could remove the water pump, but that’s too drastic. I always get them out on the engine stand, but I’m sure not pulling an engine for this. Didn’t see an easy in car solution. FYI, easiest removal on the engine stand is solvent of your choice and gentle back and forwards, 4 point socket on an impact wrench. Just don’t get in a hurry. Hasn’t failed me yet.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 847
Likes: 359
From: Philo IL
It really isn't all that bad moving the shields. The shield above the coolant plug just needs to be pushed up to give you access to the plug, yellow arrow. Note I put a plastic bag over the starter to keep fluid out of it when the plug was removed.
Here's a view from the side. The bag only needs to go over the nose of the starter. Blue tape sealed the bag to the starter. Good luck with it.
Thomas
Last edited by BB767; May 29, 2019 at 12:20 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Pittsburgh
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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2 Years ago.......I actually flushed, and reflushed 4 or 5 times........Used radiator cleaner and flushed again........Engine temps have been great since!! I'm not pulling those plugs until i have to!!!
Last edited by dcamick; May 29, 2019 at 07:29 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,539
Likes: 1,971
From: Temple Terrace Florida
I had to replace the drivers side plug on my small block a few months ago. It was leaking. Before I got the car, someone put some type of sealant in the recess area. The removal of the V shielding was the easy part. The plug was rotted and the allen wrench slipped off as the insert was stripped. I ended up drilling out the center of the allen insert and tapping the hole with a 1/4" pipe thread tap. I finished up by installing a 1/4" brass pipe plug. The V shield covers the plug. I hope your task goes better than mine did. Jerry
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,578
Likes: 334
I had to replace the drivers side plug on my small block a few months ago. It was leaking. Before I got the car, someone put some type of sealant in the recess area. The removal of the V shielding was the easy part. The plug was rotted and the allen wrench slipped off as the insert was stripped. I ended up drilling out the center of the allen insert and tapping the hole with a 1/4" pipe thread tap. I finished up by installing a 1/4" brass pipe plug. The V shield covers the plug. I hope your task goes better than mine did. Jerry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Lake Minnetonka, Mn
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
instead of busting your knuckles and spending a lot of time on this project, locate a shop that has a coolant extraction/evacuation pump that operates off negative pressure that will purge all the coolant in your system. Takes all of about fifteen minutes, with set up taking about three minutes. The other twelve minutes is waiting and watching.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...978C&FORM=VIRE
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...978C&FORM=VIRE
Last edited by Dan Hampton; May 29, 2019 at 10:16 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Michigan
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Fresno California
Anybody that heavy-handed has no business working on cars. Should probably be wearing a helmet and a beacon at all times.