Freeze plug problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crm318 · 10-15-2009, 10:04 PM

I was about to make a 150 mile trip today. When I pulled in for some gas (In town thank God), I noticed that there was a thin stream of water pouring out of my starter. I drove the truck home and dropped the starter and just as I suspected, the freeze plug behind the starter had a pin hole leak in it. What does suprise me is that I just put all new ones in a year ago. I also pressed a screwdriver on the hole to see if it would go through it (to see if it was a rust hole) and it didnt. The way the headers are set up theres not even enough room for me to take the thing out much less hammer a new one in. I know it sounds shoty, but if I find that it is just a small pin hole, whould JB weld suffice? What do yall think I should do? I dont want to have to take the engine out again.

chevybuldr · 10-15-2009, 10:14 PM

Are the steel plugs? do you run coolant/antifreeze? I would not trust the JB weld. Brass plugs and never deal with it again.

cdowns · 10-15-2009, 10:27 PM

cant you just drop the header for clearance/ passenger sides have alot more room to work than driver side// i'd take it out and do it right

**LockDoc** · 10-15-2009, 10:34 PM

-
Rubber expansion plugs are available for emergency repairs, or if removal is easier than installation. Do not use sealant on rubber plugs.

http://www.automedia.com/Article/ima...0401fp_s05.jpg

If you go this route be sure and get one at an auto supply store not a hardware store.

LockDoc

**fine69** · 10-15-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
Rubber expansion plugs are available for emergency repairs, or if removal is easier than installation. Do not use sealant on rubber plugs.

http://www.automedia.com/Article/ima...0401fp_s05.jpg

If you go this route be sure and get one at an auto supply store not a hardware store.

LockDoc

I have used these with great success.

Great for those hard spots.

westofb · 10-15-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

cant you just drop the header for clearance/ passenger sides have alot more room to work than driver side// i'd take it out and do it right

X2 I know it is a pita too change it, but dropping the header and fixing with a brass one is the best advice. While at it I would change them all on that side of the block while the header and starter are off.

unclewatts · 10-16-2009, 12:13 AM

X3

sleepertruck72 · 10-16-2009, 02:50 AM

Although this is of no help, I could not help but share this... My instructor at school will get pretty upset if you call them freeze plugs, instead of core plugs. He made us watch 2 or 3 old videos of engine casting and made it a point he never wanted to hear "freeze plug" again because they are called core plugs in the videos, and that's what they are...
He's very detail oriented

Good luck with your freeze plugs

wHATANERD · 10-16-2009, 10:52 AM

If the hole is small enough have you thought about using Bar's Leak?

hayhauler71 · 10-16-2009, 09:20 PM

I have used the dorman copper expandable core plugs with great success. I would recommend one of these before rubber if your not going to replace with a brass core plug.

crm318 · 10-16-2009, 10:21 PM

I thought the ones on the side were freeze plugs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_plug). I guess I could drop the header and see what I can do. I asked Oreillys if they had the brass plugs and they didnt. Who would carry them?

unclewatts · 10-16-2009, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crm318

I thought the ones on the side were freeze plugs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_plug). I guess I could drop the header and see what I can do. I asked Oreillys if they had the brass plugs and they didnt. Who would carry them?

It's a fairly common part commonly used by anyone who rebuilds engines. I would try any NAPA auto parts store.

chevybuldr · 10-17-2009, 12:01 AM

Just go to your local machine shop. 1 5/8 deep cup.

mr48chev · 10-17-2009, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crm318

I thought the ones on the side were freeze plugs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_plug). I guess I could drop the header and see what I can do. I asked Oreillys if they had the brass plugs and they didnt. Who would carry them?

O'Reilly's has them online and the store should be able to get them in the next freight order.
http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductD...e=1022&PTSet=A

A lot of parts houses stock Dorman products and may have that part number or single Freezr, core, expansion or soft plugs depending on who your auto shop teacher was. By rights and regulations they are "core" plugs though and never were intended to pop out when the water in the block froze.

NAPA parts numbers listed here. http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...=10&SubCatId=4 Page 9

pritch · 10-17-2009, 10:38 PM

A boat shop will carry brass plugs, but they will be like 8 times more expensive 'cause there for a boat

10-15-2009, 10:04 PM	#1
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Freeze plug problem I was about to make a 150 mile trip today. When I pulled in for some gas (In town thank God), I noticed that there was a thin stream of water pouring out of my starter. I drove the truck home and dropped the starter and just as I suspected, the freeze plug behind the starter had a pin hole leak in it. What does suprise me is that I just put all new ones in a year ago. I also pressed a screwdriver on the hole to see if it would go through it (to see if it was a rust hole) and it didnt. The way the headers are set up theres not even enough room for me to take the thing out much less hammer a new one in. I know it sounds shoty, but if I find that it is just a small pin hole, whould JB weld suffice? What do yall think I should do? I dont want to have to take the engine out again. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

10-15-2009, 10:14 PM	#2
chevybuldr Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Livermore ca Posts: 699	Re: Freeze plug problem Are the steel plugs? do you run coolant/antifreeze? I would not trust the JB weld. Brass plugs and never deal with it again.

10-15-2009, 10:27 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Freeze plug problem cant you just drop the header for clearance/ passenger sides have alot more room to work than driver side// i'd take it out and do it right __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-15-2009, 10:34 PM	#4
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,331	Re: Freeze plug problem - Rubber expansion plugs are available for emergency repairs, or if removal is easier than installation. Do not use sealant on rubber plugs. http://www.automedia.com/Article/ima...0401fp_s05.jpg If you go this route be sure and get one at an auto supply store not a hardware store. LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - Last edited by LockDoc; 10-15-2009 at 10:36 PM.

10-16-2009, 12:13 AM	#7
unclewatts 70 Chevrolet=Obsession Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nice ca Posts: 1,067	Re: Freeze plug problem X3 __________________ I'm Just like my truck. Old, Ugly and Grouchy. Except my truck starts easily in the morning and doesn't smoke! IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! -Kermit the frog 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Longbed Stepside : 350, Muncie M20, 3.08 GM corp. positraction Forest green exterior/light green interior(Where all my money goes) 1996 Toyota Corolla (Parts runner)

10-16-2009, 02:50 AM	#8
sleepertruck72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Turlock California 95380 Posts: 2,075	Re: Freeze plug problem Although this is of no help, I could not help but share this... My instructor at school will get pretty upset if you call them freeze plugs, instead of core plugs. He made us watch 2 or 3 old videos of engine casting and made it a point he never wanted to hear "freeze plug" again because they are called core plugs in the videos, and that's what they are... He's very detail oriented Good luck with your freeze plugs __________________ 72 C20 Longbed 05 1500 Z71 Last edited by sleepertruck72; 10-16-2009 at 02:51 AM.

10-16-2009, 10:52 AM	#9
wHATANERD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Uvalde, Tx Posts: 407	Re: Freeze plug problem If the hole is small enough have you thought about using Bar's Leak? __________________ 1969 C/10 Longbed undergoing rebuild. Old Chevy's Never Die, They Just Rust Around The Edges

10-16-2009, 09:20 PM	#10
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: Freeze plug problem I have used the dorman copper expandable core plugs with great success. I would recommend one of these before rubber if your not going to replace with a brass core plug.

10-16-2009, 10:21 PM	#11
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Re: Freeze plug problem I thought the ones on the side were freeze plugs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_plug). I guess I could drop the header and see what I can do. I asked Oreillys if they had the brass plugs and they didnt. Who would carry them? __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

10-17-2009, 12:01 AM	#13
chevybuldr Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Livermore ca Posts: 699	Re: Freeze plug problem Just go to your local machine shop. 1 5/8 deep cup.

10-17-2009, 10:38 PM	#15
pritch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hoytsville, Utah Posts: 3,365	Re: Freeze plug problem A boat shop will carry brass plugs, but they will be like 8 times more expensive 'cause there for a boat __________________ '68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green



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