Freeze plugs

I have a freeze plug weeping. I am going to pull the oil cooler and reseal it while i have it off. I planned on using a dish plug to replace it. That being said I have run into a couple guys that I trust and know they do things the right way and swear by the rubber expansion plugs. I have always had the opinion they weren't worth using.

Are these guys on to something or just getting lazy?

Search. Freeze plugs have been discussed many times. There is only one proper plug that will reseal and stay, and that's only if it is installed properly. I have ran for years with a rubber expansion plug in my block heater hole due to the block heater falling out one night. Eventually the rubber one will fail again and need to be replaced

Our freeze plugs are a stainless steel disc. They REQUIRE a special tool to install them. Our blocks have a special lip where they seat in the block holes. the tool spreads them out to cut into the sides. The tool is specially designed to spread the plug the correct amount. DO NOT TRY ANY PUNCH OR SOCKET TO DRIVE IN THE PLUG. It wont work right. Also use ONLY the factory plug. Any other plug like steel or brass will not stay in the block. Our factory freeze plugs are sold in packs of 7 to do a complete engine block. you can purchase them from Ford or International. Your guys have never installed freeze plugs in any idi thats for sure...I guarantee you this.. If you short cut this method of installing this plug you will have it fail. I have had them fail on an engine at 2 miles. I caught that one but then at 5200 miles another failed driving up the I5 Grapevine grade. No coolant.. No temp reading. Oil temp reached 330 degrees on my gauge when it locked up. The shop that rebuilt my engine was at fault for using a punch with brass plugs.. So when I tell you I know.. Its the truth. But you'll do what you want and feel is right.

Learn from Gary's pain.

Don't put glorified butt plugs in your block.

OEM plugs installed with the correct tool.

Heath

Thats funny Doc...

Odd this came up. I called a machine shop here local. He did he wouldn't touch my motor vehicle with out pulling the freeze plugs. Going to have it bored and hot dipped. He said he can't properly clean the channels out with them in.

Said he doesn't buy that cheap Chinese crap! Lol

3Kp said:

Odd this came up. I called a machine shop here local. He did he wouldn't touch my motor vehicle with out pulling the freeze plugs. Going to have it bored and hot dipped. He said he can't properly clean the channels out with them in.

Said he doesn't buy that cheap Chinese crap! Lol

Click to expand...

Well then please ask him to show you the CORRECT tool to install our very special freeze plugs. If he shows you the door you dodged a bullit. Our blocks do not have the common cupped plugs. Ours are concave.They sit in a tiny lip and then they are hit in the center causing the plug to expand and bite into the cast iron block lip. They are stainless steel too and they sure do bite into the block. The really sad part is the ONLY way to be sure they are in right is to remove them. Not what anyone wants to hear either. Factory used a sealant on them too. I used permatex aviation cement. Others used Hylomar. Just use something. I designed plates to block off every coolant passage on the outside of the block. I can pressurize the block and use Snoop Leak Detector around the plugs checking for leakers. I went to 35 lbs of air but now feel water with air pressure would have been safer. A bad install could sent a plug rocketing out into your face or privates. There is no need to test to higher than 35 lbs when our running coolant pressure is only 12 lbs.

The thing is I'm not sure what the tool looks like. He could hold up funky tool and say its it. Anyone have any idea what this special tool looks like?

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OLDBULL8 was selling some a while back. Here is his ad and there are pictures..... http://www.oilburners.net/threads/freeze-plug-driving-tool.66704/

So im in the process of tearing my engine down to reseal it. Planning on having the heads magnafluxed and hot tanked. Will the freeze plugs need to come out for this?

CDX825 said:

So im in the process of tearing my engine down to reseal it. Planning on having the heads magnafluxed and hot tanked. Will the freeze plugs need to come out for this?

Click to expand...

Are you just doing the heads. Then No.

My block has to be bored due to a big pit I have in it. So the shop I talked to said he going to bore it and hot dip it, To be sure the channels/ports are free of debris is if he pops out the freeze plugs otherwise he will not do the job.

Here is the link to pictures of my block

http://www.oilburners.net/threads/which-is-better-to-build-and-why.79404/page-2