Freeze plugs |
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Bigdawgchallenger ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: September-26-2020 Location: Chardon Ohio Status: Offline Points: 15 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posted: October-07-2020 at 9:08pm |
I got an engine that has a few freeze plugs missing. No one knows the history of it.
If the block has frozen, do the freeze plugs “sacrifice” themselves to save the block from cracking, or is it in addition to the block cracking? If that makes any sense. I thought about putting the temporary rubber freeze plugs in and blocking all water ports and putting water pressure into the block to see if it leaks. Has anyone done this? Its $250 to have it pressure tested at the local machine shop and I figure this would give me a quick cheap answer.
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1984 Ski Natique
1969 Barracuda SS 1999 Donzi 38 ZX Daytona |
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James T Brockma ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: November-02-2007 Location: Indian Wells CA Status: Offline Points: 120 |
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They are not freeze plugs and are not designed to “sacrifice” themselves. They are core hole plugs. The hole allows the sand to be removed from the block and heads after casting. The plug keeps water/antifreeze from leaking out of the block and heads. The plugs will pop out in the event of freezing of an improperly winterized engine. The block and heads need to be checked for freeze damage. However, in rare instances, and hopefully yours, you get very lucky and no damage has occurred. If so by a lottery ticket.
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Jim '06 216
'98 SN 176 |
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KENO ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11186 |
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Sure, it'll tell you what you're trying to find out. ![]() A freeze can pop the plugs and cause internal cracks at the same time. I'd hook up a hose and also have an outlet for water to flow out of and turn the hose on and see if you start getting water in the oil pan. I'd just drain the oil and leave the drain plug out before turning the water on and if it's cracked internally you'll see water coming out the drain hole. You might also see water coming out from the back of the engine where the flywheel mounts. Some brands have plugs in the water jacket back there, others don't and will crack externally. There are other plugs in the front and back of the cylinder heads, that will leak externally if the engine was really full of water and froze. No need to pressurize it to full garden hose pressure with all outlets blocked off, water flowing through will find any escape paths..
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8122pbrainard ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() ![]() Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Mike,
Is this the engine out of the SS? I don't recall you mentioning what engine you have. What is it?
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SNobsessed ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
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The metal 'core plugs' are pretty cheap & are not hard to install, so you may want to just put those back in instead of the rubber expansion plugs.
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“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
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Bigdawgchallenger ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: September-26-2020 Location: Chardon Ohio Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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Going to test it this weekend.
It's a ford 302 interceptor. Not really sure what was in the Barracuda, but it’s probably what will be going in it. Im told that these boats came with the ford or the Chrysler poly?
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1984 Ski Natique
1969 Barracuda SS 1999 Donzi 38 ZX Daytona |
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Bigdawgchallenger ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: September-26-2020 Location: Chardon Ohio Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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![]() Found some water in the velvet drive also. I dont think it was in there long because there is very little rust and it was mixed with the fluid, not separated. Any thoughts on this?
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1984 Ski Natique
1969 Barracuda SS 1999 Donzi 38 ZX Daytona |
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KENO ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11186 |
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Being a SBF there are no plugs in the water jacket in front of the flywheel so if you see a leak there, you probably have a big crack back there.
![]() You can probably flush and clean all that oil and water and put it back together and be OK on the transmission. But............since you don't know the history of the transmission a rebuild kit would probably be a good idea while it's apart right now. Around 150 bucks for the kit. It looks like it had engine oil in it since everything is kinda creamy coffee looking. Over the years they changed to ATF. What does the tag near the dipstick say as far as the Model number? |
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Bigdawgchallenger ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: September-26-2020 Location: Chardon Ohio Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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![]() Its AS1-70C
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1984 Ski Natique
1969 Barracuda SS 1999 Donzi 38 ZX Daytona |
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8122pbrainard ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() ![]() Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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289 or 302?
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