Need freeze plug advice Bad!!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Need freeze plug advice Bad!!!!
I was filling my brand new blown 406 small block with coolant and noticed a slight leak in a freeze plug on the block. Figuring I didn't seat it enough when I installed it I took a socket and gave it a few taps. To my horror it went into the water jacket. I can put another one in its place but does anyone know of any potential problems with cooling? I am worried about hot spots in the no. 5 and 7 cylinders if the old plug is just cruising around in there. No way I can think of to get it out short of pulling the engine and trying to dice it up with a dremel and take it out in pieces.
Thanks, Rob
Thanks, Rob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
If you can fish it back up to the hole, you can grab it with vise grips and start bending. Fold it up until you can get it out.
I can't see it as being a real problem thinkng of the volume of water that moves around in there. If it was at the top of a cylinder I'd think about it maybe more, but at the bottom I can't see it as a deal.
FWIW: A thin coat of #2 Permatex or Indian Head will help seal the OD of a freeze plug.
I can't see it as being a real problem thinkng of the volume of water that moves around in there. If it was at the top of a cylinder I'd think about it maybe more, but at the bottom I can't see it as a deal.
FWIW: A thin coat of #2 Permatex or Indian Head will help seal the OD of a freeze plug.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Just use a magnet to get it over to the hole and turn it sideways so it's starting to come out and do like Tim says, grab it with vise grips or get a heel bar hooked in the lip of it. It will come right out.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Fla. 6 months- New Middletown, Ohio 6 months
I have found plugs in water jackets but never seen it as a issue. Not saying that it could not cause a restriction. Bottom line is that if you do not remove it you will always worry about it!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 13
From: Kingman AZ
If its brass I dont know how well a magnet will work. Brass is non ferrous. 66 percent copper and 33 percent zinc...????
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 0
From: Cut n Shoot TX
Years ago I did the same thing. I also thought no big deal. Well to make a long story short, my temp gauge also was shot, and the plug settled in where it was restricting the flow of coolant, and next thing you know, it was time for another motor... 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 6
From: North of the Bay California
