Core Plugs

[steven d. ferguson]

I have a coolant leak from one of the freeze plugs (it's located behind
the
engine mount so it's tough to get at without pulling the engine). I've
never had a freeze plug leak before. Any suggestions? I'd like to avoid
pulling the engine to replace the plug.

Henry,
It's a bear with those side mounts, can be done though. Knock the old
one into the block & use a rubber expansion plug to replace it. This is
a common practice for us shadetree guys.
However comma, the real mechanics remove the engine cause they know
that if one is rusted through, it won't be long til they all are and the
engine has to come out for those rear ones. Then replace them all with
good brass ones, just like the machine shop should have.
HTH,
Steve Ferguson
San Diego

 

[steven d. ferguson]

Old fashion way: Grab a handful of oatmeal and toss in radiator.
Not the new fangled instant stuff just the old stuff. Not a real good
cure.

Geeze Arch,
I haven't heard that remedy in a looooong time! I bought a 454 BBC one
time and the guy had mucho engine cooling problems (leaks) so he thought
he'd try that old remedy. He put a lot of oatmeal in the radiator and
when that didn't do the job he thought it was because he forgot to put
something else in there with the oatmeal. His 5 watt light bulb must've
come on because he added eggs to the mess. Man..that block sat
alongside of my house for weeks and stunk everytome the sun hit it! The
guys at the machine shop even asked me what was wrong with that block as
they put it in the hot tank, it liked to have driven everyone out of the
shop. Anyway, I think that old cure quit working when radiators started
having pressure caps. Bar's Leaks works pretty good in an emergency but
if you have an old radiator it sure does a good job of sealing off a lot
of cooling passages.
Pull the motor & do it up right Henry.
Steve Ferguson
San Diego