Freeze plugs
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=49321
Printed Date: March-04-2025 at 5:11pm
Topic: Freeze plugs
Posted By: Bigdawgchallenger
Subject: Freeze plugs
Date Posted: October-07-2020 at 9:08pm
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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. ------------- 1984 Ski Natique 1969 Barracuda SS 1999 Donzi 38 ZX Daytona |
Replies:
Posted By: James T Brockma
Date Posted: October-07-2020 at 9:57pm
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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. ------------- Jim '06 216 '98 SN 176 |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: October-08-2020 at 5:38am
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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Bigdawgchallenger wrote:Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-08-2020 at 6:16am
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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? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: October-08-2020 at 6:38am
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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. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: Bigdawgchallenger
Date Posted: October-08-2020 at 10:43am
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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? ------------- 1984 Ski Natique 1969 Barracuda SS 1999 Donzi 38 ZX Daytona |
Posted By: Bigdawgchallenger
Date Posted: October-08-2020 at 10:56am
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? ------------- 1984 Ski Natique 1969 Barracuda SS 1999 Donzi 38 ZX Daytona |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: October-08-2020 at 12:43pm
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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? |
Posted By: Bigdawgchallenger
Date Posted: October-08-2020 at 1:24pm
Its AS1-70C ------------- 1984 Ski Natique 1969 Barracuda SS 1999 Donzi 38 ZX Daytona |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-08-2020 at 5:05pm
289 or 302? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |