I'm from Illinois and if you didn't add enough antifreeze to your system for winter, these FREEZE PLUGS would blow out instead of cracking your block. Water is the only thing that expands when it freezes. You will find the FREEZE PLUGS blown out and ice coming out of your block from the holes. They might have served other purposes, but people that deal with temperatures that drop below 32° know these FREEZE PLUGS will save them from buying a new block.
I've seen dozens of engines with "freeze plugs" pushed out of block. About as often as not blocks were cracked. Once tried to save a Mercury 410, one of the heads were also cracked.
So my transmission went out nd my first time doing one and all I used was water bc I didn’t care that much so it been like 3 months nd my plug just missing I hope that the case
If one freeze plug is rusted out, I bet the other plugs are ready to rust out too. Never heard anybody use thread lock for a freeze plug... learn something new every day! I usually used Permanent #2 and it worked OK. Thank you for the video, I appreciate you!
Thanks a BUNCH for this video. I don't need to do this job at the moment, but the core plugs on my ancient and original Ford engines can't last forever. I dread the day that they need to be replaced. A tutorial is greatly appreciated.
We just did this operation on a 340LA but the engine was out of the car. we also did all of them and found plenty of debris in the water jackets as well. We went back with brass freeze plugs except on the heads.
I have seen many core plugs pop out from freezing. I think that is why they call them freeze plugs. The proper name is core plug like Jeff says. I use a sealer called high tack sealant on core/freeze plugs. And I have blocks freeze and crack in the lifter valley under the intake.Core/ freeze plugs did not save the block😢
Not bad if you have a car lift. :-) Wouldn't it be beneficial to flush the engine with a water hose while the plug is out to push out any other sand, crap etc.? Another great video! Thanks guys!
Sometimes, I have to call time of death. Cam would have had the whole engine on the floor if I let him. The pervious owner had done the rear drivers side, he seems like the kind of dude to take care of a mild clean out. Unless there was a ton of sand, I would not be concerned.
Okay guys, I live in Oregon AMCs are hot here. There is even a really cool gremlin. And yes I know that is a very wrong thing to say and I feel dirty saying it but it's true.
I have two heater plugs in my 69 F250 390 FE. (My truck is originally from N. Dakota.) They aren't weeping but was wondering if I should replace them. Living on the Gulf Coast I was perplexed as to what the two extension cords were. Ha! Also, why not a brass plug? Wouldn't that be better?
Only real way is to pop the freeze plugs...errr core plugs out and root around with tools. Some applications will be tough to get at the plugs without pulling the engine. My final word would be, if you aren't experiencing overheating, is it worth yhe hassle? We only did what we did because of the popped core plug.
PEAK Final Charge Global Extended Life 50/50 Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant for All Heavy Duty Engine Cooling Systems, Works great with a big block cooling system.
Hey Tom. I still have a tester and use to test before I put the Mustang up for the winter. Just piece of mind i guess Tom. Michigan can get well below zero in late Dec and January. I got to get a natural gas line run to the garage and put in a heater for sub zero days and working on it in winter.
I would’ve grabbed the pry bar from jump, been there don’t that. Yeah, just get the 50/50 mix, I won’t say what I use on these classics either, because I don’t wanna hear all the ISH either.
I looked online. "All center oiler blocks that I've seen have press in plugs. All side oiler blocks have screw in plugs. Did they make some exceptions? Probably. You can install screw in plugs where press in units were with a good machine shop at hand." Maybe you have a 427 side oiler. 😁 If so, there'll be visible bolt heads for the cross-bolted main bearings. Ford sold these screw in plugs as a kit for small block engines. They were also a design feature for the Boss 302.
I'm from Illinois and if you didn't add enough antifreeze to your system for winter, these FREEZE PLUGS would blow out instead of cracking your block. Water is the only thing that expands when it freezes. You will find the FREEZE PLUGS blown out and ice coming out of your block from the holes. They might have served other purposes, but people that deal with temperatures that drop below 32° know these FREEZE PLUGS will save them from buying a new block.
I've seen dozens of engines with "freeze plugs" pushed out of block. About as often as not blocks were cracked. Once tried to save a Mercury 410, one of the heads were also cracked.
@@tombryant1104, I've seen a cracked lifter valley of a 390 in FLORIDA. Happened in the 1970s.
So my transmission went out nd my first time doing one and all I used was water bc I didn’t care that much so it been like 3 months nd my plug just missing I hope that the case
If one freeze plug is bad, time to replace them all. Great video.
If one freeze plug is rusted out, I bet the other plugs are ready to rust out too. Never heard anybody use thread lock for a freeze plug... learn something new every day! I usually used Permanent #2 and it worked OK. Thank you for the video, I appreciate you!
Thanks a BUNCH for this video. I don't need to do this job at the moment, but the core plugs on my ancient and original Ford engines can't last forever. I dread the day that they need to be replaced. A tutorial is greatly appreciated.
They are also called welch plugs in Australia
We just did this operation on a 340LA but the engine was out of the car. we also did all of them and found plenty of debris in the water jackets as well. We went back with brass freeze plugs except on the heads.
I have seen many core plugs pop out from freezing. I think that is why they call them freeze plugs. The proper name is core plug like Jeff says. I use a sealer called high tack sealant on core/freeze plugs. And I have blocks freeze and crack in the lifter valley under the intake.Core/ freeze plugs did not save the block😢
Where I'm from, we've always called them 'Welsh plugs'.
I've just had to do my core plugs, yours was so easy, mine is a 70 mustang with 351c with rrs rack, had to pull the engine.
My ocd is now telling me to strip my block down. Thanks lol
This video was shot amazingly! Put together real good! Miss yall!
Thanks. I got coolant in my hair.
Not bad if you have a car lift. :-) Wouldn't it be beneficial to flush the engine with a water hose while the plug is out to push out any other sand, crap etc.? Another great video! Thanks guys!
Yes, makes no sense NOT to drop it down and flush that block. I wonder what the thermostat area looks like. IMHO.
@@robertclymer6948 Very true!
Yup I've swapped many a motor, ALWAYS knock out the core plugs, flush and replace.
It could but honestly it wouldn't do much. that area of the block is kind of the "end of the line".
Amazon sells an insert for baseball cap called skullerz, a hardhat shell that goes inside your hat. I saw you hit your head on the rack
I agree as many core plugs as easy, both banks, I would have popped out. Flushed big time.
Sometimes, I have to call time of death. Cam would have had the whole engine on the floor if I let him. The pervious owner had done the rear drivers side, he seems like the kind of dude to take care of a mild clean out. Unless there was a ton of sand, I would not be concerned.
Yep, several cases of correct term versus the common term. And I'm guilty of saying "freeze plug".
Okay guys, I live in Oregon AMCs are hot here. There is even a really cool gremlin. And yes I know that is a very wrong thing to say and I feel dirty saying it but it's true.
I have two heater plugs in my 69 F250 390 FE. (My truck is originally from N. Dakota.) They aren't weeping but was wondering if I should replace them. Living on the Gulf Coast I was perplexed as to what the two extension cords were. Ha! Also, why not a brass plug? Wouldn't that be better?
Brass plugs, absolutely
How would you recommend flushing the block to get the sand out? Now you got me wondering how much sand is in mine.......
Only real way is to pop the freeze plugs...errr core plugs out and root around with tools. Some applications will be tough to get at the plugs without pulling the engine. My final word would be, if you aren't experiencing overheating, is it worth yhe hassle? We only did what we did because of the popped core plug.
Is there any need to remove core plugs when flushing the block? Or are they in an area where any junk doesn’t affect coolant flow?
Not normally. Ususally only see this issue on blocks that are original or quickie rebuilds.
Saw the cover image and said "dang it!"
No drain available on the rad? Or are you simply going for the glory shot?
Great video, guys! Thank you SO much! Now, off to swat the plug in my amc 343, lol! Really😅
PEAK Final Charge Global Extended Life 50/50 Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant for All Heavy Duty Engine Cooling Systems, Works great with a big block cooling system.
Interesting. See how I did that? Affermation without tipping my hand.
Thanks domfer2540! I wrote that down.
I always buy 100%, I guess no one has a antifreeze tester these days?
Hey Tom. I still have a tester and use to test before I put the Mustang up for the winter. Just piece of mind i guess Tom. Michigan can get well below zero in late Dec and January. I got to get a natural gas line run to the garage and put in a heater for sub zero days and working on it in winter.
I would’ve grabbed the pry bar from jump, been there don’t that. Yeah, just get the 50/50 mix, I won’t say what I use on these classics either, because I don’t wanna hear all the ISH either.
Sometimes, that pey bar is a helpful hindrance.
@@AutoRestoMod Right!!!??!!!
Some people call cold cuts, lunch meat, are they wrong ? just leave a good thing alone, It's a freeze pump..lol...😅
Hahahahaha. I like sturring the pot.
Help, I know you have replaced a gas tank on a f100, in the cab, we're can I find the video.
Then there is when you need 60/40 for temperature protection. Not to mention your paying $10 a gallon for distilled water.
I was buying a 428 from this fellow, I noticed a block there with screw in plugs. What could it be?
I looked online. "All center oiler blocks that I've seen have press in plugs. All side oiler blocks have screw in plugs. Did they make some exceptions? Probably. You can install screw in plugs where press in units were with a good machine shop at hand."
Maybe you have a 427 side oiler. 😁 If so, there'll be visible bolt heads for the cross-bolted main bearings.
Ford sold these screw in plugs as a kit for small block engines. They were also a design feature for the Boss 302.
Keep in mind that those plugs are also something you can add.
He’s gonna wrap it in a a coat and smack it with a hammer. Name that movie quote.
I got nothing...
@@jwrockets I bet Jeff does……
How bout a little hint????
@@robertclymer6948 think Christmas
@@RealWorldGarage Christmas Vacation with the Griswalds? Oh man I'm digging here! lol
@7:15 Hope that was a wet/dry vac! 😁
If you can go to the store and buy a core plug, why call it that?
I don't know