76 Freeze Plug
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 62
From: Houston Tx
76 Freeze Plug
Hi all. How tough is it to change a freeze plug with the engine in the car? The one on the driver side corroded through. Should I go ahead and try to change all of them? Are there 3 or 4 in total on a 76? How well do the cooper Expand-Tite freeze plugs work? Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
There are a total of 8 freeze plugs.
2 on the back of the engine inside the bell housing
2 toward the back of the engine ... just in front of the oil filter and directly opposite on the passenger side.
2 under the motor mounts
2 on the front of the engine
The ones in the bell housing rarely rust out because they aren't exposed to the outside elements and only rust from the inside
The ones on the front don't seem to get too much exposure to the outside elements
The ones under the motor mounts MIGHT have some protection from the outside elements
That leaves the two on the side rear of the block. They are probably easiest to replace without pulling the engine.
2 on the back of the engine inside the bell housing
2 toward the back of the engine ... just in front of the oil filter and directly opposite on the passenger side.
2 under the motor mounts
2 on the front of the engine
The ones in the bell housing rarely rust out because they aren't exposed to the outside elements and only rust from the inside
The ones on the front don't seem to get too much exposure to the outside elements
The ones under the motor mounts MIGHT have some protection from the outside elements
That leaves the two on the side rear of the block. They are probably easiest to replace without pulling the engine.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 62
From: Houston Tx
Thanks My 76 Ray. Very Interesting. I'm trying to figure if it's best to go ahead and change them all since I just had one under the driver side motor mount corrode especially since you made a point that those under the motor mounts are somewhat protected from the elements. Also, any thoughts on the copper freeze plugs? Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Brass, not copper
hgoodwiniii,
I had one (factory, mild steel) go on my Holden V8, and they're the same size as Chev ones. It really is best to replace them all because if one goes, the others can't be far behind. Even if they look good, you'll always be wondering, especially if you go on a long drive or interstate, etc.
If you can reach, try poking a screwdriver or ice pick through the others. If it goes through, then it wasn't very thick and would have failed shortly. If it doesn't, then it's likely OK.
The only way is to pull the engine, drop the manifolds and engine mounts (and bell housing) and do them all. It will take a weekend, but once you fit brass welsh plugs, you'll know that you'll never have to do it again.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
I had one (factory, mild steel) go on my Holden V8, and they're the same size as Chev ones. It really is best to replace them all because if one goes, the others can't be far behind. Even if they look good, you'll always be wondering, especially if you go on a long drive or interstate, etc.
If you can reach, try poking a screwdriver or ice pick through the others. If it goes through, then it wasn't very thick and would have failed shortly. If it doesn't, then it's likely OK.
The only way is to pull the engine, drop the manifolds and engine mounts (and bell housing) and do them all. It will take a weekend, but once you fit brass welsh plugs, you'll know that you'll never have to do it again.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
