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Mar 19, 2012 | 02:38 PM

czardali

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From: Texas

Engine Smoke .

Driving down the road i noticed smoke coming out of my hood. I pulled over and heard a hissing sound and immediately assumed it was my valve cover gaskets..header..etc. It turns out to be a little hole withhin that circular groove thats between your water pump and your steering pump. The smoke is white and the contents it leaves on the ground is water and not oil however i'm assuming the oil is just runoff. Any ideas?

Mar 19, 2012 | 03:08 PM

MelWff

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Are you referring to a freeze out plug on the engine block?

Mar 19, 2012 | 03:23 PM

czardali

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From: Texas

yes! thats exactly it. I saw that I have 7 more. should I change them too? thanks for the input. engine information is my latest endeavor.

Mar 19, 2012 | 03:26 PM

scottyp99

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From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!

I'm not trying to make fun of you, so please don't take it that way, but I have no idea what you mean by "that circular groove thats between your water pump and your steering pump." Could you try to describe it another way?

Keep the shiny side up!

Scott

Mar 19, 2012 | 03:35 PM

Easy Mike

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From: Southbound

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Check your coolant level. That was not white smoke you were seeing; it was steam. There is a water jacket behind the freeze plug.

Mar 19, 2012 | 03:40 PM

czardali

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From: Texas

off hand what size freeze plug do i need? Is it a fairly easy job. Looks like I may need a hammer.

Mar 19, 2012 | 04:23 PM

Easy Mike

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From: Southbound

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Quote:

Originally Posted by czardali

off hand what size freeze plug do i need? Is it a fairly easy job. Looks like I may need a hammer.

Buy a freeze plug kit for small block Chevrolet. A hammer is not what you want to use directly on the plug. Put sealant on the edges of the plug, use a large socket on the plug, and tap the socket to seat the freeze plug.

You can buy an actual freeze plug tool, but it's not critical.

Mar 19, 2012 | 04:44 PM

DaveL82

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From: Plano TX

Before you change out the plug are you sure it's not the water pump weep hole leaking onto the block. The weep hole is there to show the seal is leaking internally.

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Mar 19, 2012 | 06:05 PM

czardali

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From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Mike

there are free plugs that have an actual nut on the end. Is that the one I should get so I can set the socket onto it?

water pump weep hole? I am assuming this hole is on the water pump. the steam is comin right from the middle of the freeze plug. I'm looking up how to remove the plug via Google now.

Mar 19, 2012 | 09:30 PM

#10

chonkyapple

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From: townsville q.l.d.

Can you take a photo of it?
There is a little confusion me think.

Mar 19, 2012 | 09:48 PM

#11

czardali

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From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by chonkyapple

Can you take a photo of it?
There is a little confusion me think.

Heres the photo. The the circle/hole where the steam is coming from.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58854115@N03/6852471100/

Mar 19, 2012 | 10:30 PM

#12

chonkyapple

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From: townsville q.l.d.

Yuck

But easy fix,Just lever it out and do what Mike said above.
The other plugs wont be as easy to get at, and you might want to clean that engine before you start

Mar 20, 2012 | 10:03 AM

#13

Easy Mike

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From: Southbound

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Quote:

Originally Posted by czardali

...there are free plugs that have an actual nut on the end. Is that the one I should get...

No.

Quote:

...so I can set the socket onto it?...

My reference to a large socket was to use it in place of the freeze plug installation tool. The socket is not used to tighten a nut. It is used to drive the freeze plug into the block.

Google Replacing Freeze Plugs and see what you get.

Mar 20, 2012 | 11:32 AM

#14

czardali

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From: Texas

Atv gasket maker ok ? Im gonna use the same goo i uae for my valve covers if that is ok

Mar 20, 2012 | 11:54 AM

#15

noonie

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From: Florida

Most pros use Permatex High Tack Gasket sealant or Indian Head.

Chances are high that the rest are in close to the same condition.

There are 2 between the tranny and engine, so keep an eye out.

If you can't drive a new one in, then this type is a permanent solution.

Mar 20, 2012 | 11:58 AM

#16

my 76 ray

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From: Hinckley OH

Here's how I did it on my Jeep.

http://s413.photobucket.com/albums/p...1119165615.mp4

http://s413.photobucket.com/albums/p...1119170024.mp4

Mar 20, 2012 | 04:08 PM

#17

czardali

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From: Texas

I tried to get the freeze plug off and I punctured a hole through it! I tried using needle nose pliers to take it off but to no avail. any suggestions?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58854115@N03/7000903933/