Feel dumb freeze plug questions.

« **on:** April 20, 2009, 08:14:22 AM »

For some reason one side of my block has no water drain, not sure if it's block filler, or cast that way on purpose. So I've taken a freeze plug and threaded a brass drain into it.(also so I have a place for an anode on that side of the block). How do I get the old one out?

Any secrets/ tips on putting the new one in?? Do I use any rtv or??? I figured if I ever get the old one out I'd use a large socket and a hammer to tap the new one in.

« **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2009, 08:53:45 AM »

I dont know what you're working on in my experience with chevys I beat them in, turn 'em sideways and use channel locks to pry 'em out. Get it sideways in the hole grab on the lip with the Cls and use the top jaw as a fulcrum against the edge of the hole to pry 'em out. I've used sealer/no sealer no sillycone, personal preference.

« **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2009, 09:03:20 AM »

Bang on one side to turn it then channel locks to pull the old one out.

I would definately use permatex sealer on the new one. Your plan on the socket is a
good one. Start it that way then just tap around the outer edge to finish it off.

Hard to figure why there wouldn't be a drain on both sides of the block though.

« **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2009, 09:21:42 AM »

I put petcocks in my drain holes this winter, had to poke in one with a punch cuz of the shit settled in the block

« **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2009, 09:28:43 AM »

Thanks guys...not sure I'd have thought of hitting them to get em sideways. I was a little paranoid of knocking it into the block, but it sounds like thats the certified method. Re only one drain, I know it sounds strange, on the drivers side the plug comes out horizontal. On the pass. side(the blocked one) it's parallell to the block and sits an inch or so lower in the block than the drivers side. I can't poke through it what ever it is.

« **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2009, 10:40:19 AM »

i had to use a hammer and philips tip screw driver to break the crap free on my drain plug holes, but then again the entire block was filled with sand lol. What I found worked was use a flatblade screw driver and beat a hole in 1 side of the plug and then tap the same edge so it goes in and then yank it out with channel locks. I found that having a hole in the plug helps it compress when you go to pull it out. The what I did was get some 600 grit sand paper and sand the sides of the freeze plug until its not shiny brass anymore, then stick them in the freezer for an hour so they shrink a tiny tiny bit, then run a thin layer of gray RTV on the edges, like VERY thin and use an inch and a half socket and tap them in until flush :-D worked for me.

« **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2009, 10:41:08 AM »

I'm assuming it's a chevy and your talking about the starter side. I tapped a punch with a hammer and go it to flow. Notice I said "tapped". Or you could try adrill bit to dig the shit out. I continue to drain that side, well both sides, to flush more of the shit out.

« **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2009, 11:19:04 PM »

A Morgan Knocker with a lag bolt tip takes a freeze plug out in about 10 seconds, also called a slide hammer....
Borrow someones freeze plug installer though, makes the job easu and puts them in correctly, you don't want one of those fuggers popping out...

GT

« **Reply #8 on:** April 21, 2009, 12:22:35 PM »

Quote from: GT Jets on April 20, 2009, 11:19:04 PM

A Morgan Knocker with a lag bolt tip takes a freeze plug out in about 10 seconds, also called a slide hammer....
Borrow someones freeze plug installer though, makes the job easu and puts them in correctly, you don't want one of those fuggers popping out...

GT

Pretty much how we used to replace them. Run a lag screw into them with a big washer on it and use a ball joint spreader against a block of wood against the head to pry them out. They always came out!

Ray

« **Reply #9 on:** April 21, 2009, 01:11:39 PM »

Quote from: GT Jets on April 20, 2009, 11:19:04 PM

A Morgan Knocker with a lag bolt tip takes a freeze plug out in about 10 seconds, also called a slide hammer....
Borrow someones freeze plug installer though, makes the job easu and puts them in correctly, you don't want one of those fuggers popping out...

GT

I don't have a slide hammer, but I suppose I could harbor freight me one cheap enough. I didn't really know they made a special tool for putting them in. I guess I'll go to the local vatozone, and see if thats on there free rental dealio. I'll see if my kid will help me put up a pic of the blocked hole tonite so you guys don't think I'm drinking the bong water again.

« **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2009, 01:23:16 PM »

Not a problem putting them in, use an appropriate sized socket, pipe or whatever, (That just fits inside them) and beat it straight in(Clean the surfaces first, forgot to mention that). Use silicone sealant (RTV black is my choice) around it when you do so, you'll be fine.

Can you tell I grew up on the East coast where it actually Freezes? lol

Ray

« **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2009, 10:24:35 AM »

Kreg

The drain hole situation would have been better addressed while the engine was apart, but that crusty stuff should not be too tough to either tap or gently run a drill through to loosen it up. That's normally something that gets done prior to washing the bare block.

I use a certain impact socket for installing bbc brass plugs, and I seal them with aviation permatex, brushed in the block rather than on the plug.

« **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2009, 10:46:15 AM »

So, is the plug broke off in there? That happens a lot.

« **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2009, 10:47:48 AM »

Quote from: obnoxious001 on April 23, 2009, 10:24:35 AM

Kreg

The drain hole situation would have been better addressed while the engine was apart, but that crusty stuff should not be too tough to either tap or gently run a drill through to loosen it up. That's normally something that gets done prior to washing the bare block.

I use a certain impact socket for installing bbc brass plugs, and I seal them with aviation permatex, brushed in the block rather than on the plug.

Ya ya ya, rub it in..lol I'll be pulling the motor in the next week or 3, to do the new oil pan, I'll give the drill bit thing a try then. When I first pulled the plug out it was silver(about the color of anti seize) the rust lookin spot is where I tried to scrape through with a screwdriver, it's solid ,looks like rusty cast metal to me. I'll put up a pic of the shavings(after drilling).

« **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2009, 10:49:38 AM »

Quote from: HDriderTH on April 23, 2009, 10:46:15 AM

So, is the plug broke off in there? That happens a lot.

No the plug came right out fine. I'd swear it's either block filler or it was somehow cast that way.

« **Reply #15 on:** May 02, 2009, 02:19:04 PM »

Feel dumb just turned into I am dumb......Raining today so out came the motor, out came the drill and I struck water. lol Talk about hard water build up. f'n a. The bad news is my drain plug with the anode is worthless on this side, no room under the plug, so it looks like a freeze plug is coming out anyway(unless I can find a better place for it). At least I can drain this side of the block now. Feel free to say I told you so.lol

SLCKREG

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