Freeze Plug replacement
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Dallas Texas
Freeze Plug replacement
One step forward, two steps back it seems.
Cranked up the engine this weekend to do a break-in on it. Things were going fine... she hummed along nicely... warmed up.... After about 3 minutes, the driver's side freeze plug sprung a leak like a geyser. Shot out a nice stream, which naturally was aimed perfectly at the header. Made for a nice steam show.
Anyway, this engine was built by a local machine shop and I've been on the phone with them and I'm not yet convinced they're going to replace it, though that remains to be seen. Nevermind it's an obvious "manufacturer's defect" and the engine has all of about 3-4 minutes run time on it.
Anyone replace one of these with the engine still in the car? How difficult of a task is that? It's the driver's side plug, just in front of the bellhousing. About the only thing in the way is the clutch linkage. I have a clear line of sight to it.
Hopefully the shop will take care of this, but in the event they don't I'd like to know what I'm in for. Thanks.
Cranked up the engine this weekend to do a break-in on it. Things were going fine... she hummed along nicely... warmed up.... After about 3 minutes, the driver's side freeze plug sprung a leak like a geyser. Shot out a nice stream, which naturally was aimed perfectly at the header. Made for a nice steam show.
Anyway, this engine was built by a local machine shop and I've been on the phone with them and I'm not yet convinced they're going to replace it, though that remains to be seen. Nevermind it's an obvious "manufacturer's defect" and the engine has all of about 3-4 minutes run time on it.
Anyone replace one of these with the engine still in the car? How difficult of a task is that? It's the driver's side plug, just in front of the bellhousing. About the only thing in the way is the clutch linkage. I have a clear line of sight to it.
Hopefully the shop will take care of this, but in the event they don't I'd like to know what I'm in for. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
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From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
I've replaced a freeze plug with the engine in the car. It was REAL easy to do too. But I'm sure there will be a gazillion people who will rag on me for what I did 
Went to the NAPA parts store and asked the guy for an easy way to fix one. I knew the diameter of the plug, so he worked off that. Came out with a RUBBER freeze plug with a nut in the middle. You put the freeze plug in the hole in the block and tighten the nut. It expands the freeze plug and PRESTO!!!....no more leak. Worked great and never leaked again. This was on a 1971 Nova with a 350. I beat the crap out of that car but that freeze plug never leaked again. Hope this helps
Dep
Went to the NAPA parts store and asked the guy for an easy way to fix one. I knew the diameter of the plug, so he worked off that. Came out with a RUBBER freeze plug with a nut in the middle. You put the freeze plug in the hole in the block and tighten the nut. It expands the freeze plug and PRESTO!!!....no more leak. Worked great and never leaked again. This was on a 1971 Nova with a 350. I beat the crap out of that car but that freeze plug never leaked again. Hope this helps
Dep
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10,153
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From: Texas
I've heard of Dep's method, but Eastwood (and $nap-on) sell a tool for just such a predicament. It's a big angled bar, with a set of various sized plugs for the end. You put the plug on the freeze plug, and then hit the other end with a BFH and it somehow transfers all the energy evenly to the freeze plug and seats it.
http://www.eastwood.com/shopping/pro...rd=freeze+plug
http://www.eastwood.com/shopping/pro...rd=freeze+plug
Last edited by Jeff 6T9; May 2, 2005 at 01:59 PM.
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From: Dallas Texas
I've seen those rubber plugs but am kinda hesitant to use one.
And I'm not about to drop $60 on a tool I'll use one time and likely never use again. I'm wondering if there's a homemade type tool people have used in these situations.
And I'm not about to drop $60 on a tool I'll use one time and likely never use again. I'm wondering if there's a homemade type tool people have used in these situations.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
I'm sure those rubber plugs will work but for some reason I don't like that big rubber stopper holding back my coolant. I have no problem with a rubber radiator hose though so go figure 
I would replace with a brass freeze plug. Use a BFH, short 1/2" extension and a socket that fits plug. Turn the hammer and use the side instead of face. Getting the car high enough to allow you room to move around would help a lot. You can hold the extension with some pliers so you don't whop your hand.
Putting the plug in the freezer may help a tad bit too.
Jim
I would replace with a brass freeze plug. Use a BFH, short 1/2" extension and a socket that fits plug. Turn the hammer and use the side instead of face. Getting the car high enough to allow you room to move around would help a lot. You can hold the extension with some pliers so you don't whop your hand.
Putting the plug in the freezer may help a tad bit too.Jim
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From: Dallas Texas
And for the record, the machine shop tossed out some excuses why they couldn't do it... Don't have the manpower to spare to come out to my place to replace it. Annoying... but not unexpected.
If it were any bigger issue, I'd push it til they folded... But I figure it's just easier to spend a few bucks and minutes of my own than dealing with whiners....
If it were any bigger issue, I'd push it til they folded... But I figure it's just easier to spend a few bucks and minutes of my own than dealing with whiners....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
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From: Florida
Originally Posted by Chumpzilla
Yeah, it's a bit cramped. The clutch linkage is in that area, but there's some room. I'll have to check when I get home.
Jim
edit: Do you have an air chisel? If so, a hammer type attachment might be an idea.
Last edited by jimvette999; May 2, 2005 at 03:42 PM.
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From: Dallas Texas
Obviously not enough.
But I figure not letting them get their hands on my engine to "fix" a problem they don't want to deal with is ample payment for now.
Like I said, if it were anything more significant, their asses would be at my place fixing it, whether they "want" to or not.
But I figure not letting them get their hands on my engine to "fix" a problem they don't want to deal with is ample payment for now.
Like I said, if it were anything more significant, their asses would be at my place fixing it, whether they "want" to or not.
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From: Dallas Texas
Originally Posted by jimvette999
I figured you'd remove that linkage. If you had two people, that would allow you to use two hands on that hammer and get some good blows on it nice and square. Let us know how you do.
Jim
Jim
