1 5/8" Brass freeze plugs needed

[Bobacuda]

Seems like no one in the San Antonio area stocks brass freeze plugs for the flathead 218 or 230 anymore. I hate rebuilding an engine and putting steel freeze plugs in.

The brass plugs are Dorman 560-023.

I was able to find three at different part stores, so I still need 6 (or I am stuck with steel plugs). I have checked online with no luck, either. I orderd some from AutoParts Express, but they recently refunded my money and said they did not have any.

Anybody have 6 brass 1 5/8 freeze plugs they want to sell? I have several extra 1 3/8 brass plugs to trade or sell if anyone is looking.

Thanks.

[Don Coatney]

Did you google Dorman 560-023? I just did and got 82 hits including the Dorman webpage.

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=Dorman+560-023&aq=&aqi=&aql=&oq=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=999deff09172bf35&biw=1276&bih=608

[Bobacuda]

I Googled Dorman 560-023. Some of the sites that came up had other Dorman brass freeze plugs, but not the concave brass ones. Some sites listed the information, but they did not have any for sale nor did they want to get any to sell me when I tried to order them. The Dorman site directed me to try their authorized dealers - Autozone, Advance, NAPA, and several other chains - but none of them carried the plugs or wanted to order them.

That's why I came on here asking for help. Hopefully someone here has 6 extras to spare/

Thanks.

[desoto1939]

i just went to www.go2marine.com they have them listed

If you live near a marina go there they should have them most boat engines use brass so it does not rust. Give this a try.

As people ask questions members will also find other areas to locate items

Hope this helps.

rich Hartung

desoto1939@aol.com

[Bobacuda]

...and they have 1 5/8" cup type brass freeze plugs. Our old Mopars use concave freeze plugs. Still looking.

[Don Coatney]

Did you google Dorman 560-023? I just did and got 82 hits including the Dorman webpage.

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=Dorman+560-023&aq=&aqi=&aql=&oq=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=999deff09172bf35&biw=1276&bih=608

So all 82 hits failed? Amazing. The few I tried could get them. I dont understand why you cannot find them.

[Bobacuda]

Don, I'm sure someone out there is selling them and I am looking, but I haven't found them yet. Did the sites you looked at have brass, concave 1 5/8" plugs? If so, cut me a break and tell me which sites, please.

On several days, I have gone through 11 + pages of responses with no luck. I have hours of time invested in this search. Several of the sites I went to listed them, but when I tried to order them, I could not because the online store said they were no longer available, or they were only available at their local store and I should check there. I did, no luck.

Google and the other search engines send me to the best match they have. The sites I have gone to have dish (not concave) 1 5/8" plugs. The marine engine sites are dish type plugs. When I specifically search for brass concave, I still get sent to the steel type sites, as well as brass, dish sites. Some of the sites have full kits for various engines, but nothing for 218/230's. By checking so many sites using all kinds of relevant search criteria, I have learned that some Chevy's use the brass 1 5/8" shallow dish plugs, but that really doesn't help me.

Auto Parts Express did allow me to place an order and I ordered one 1 3/8" brass, concave plug along with seven 1 5/8" brass, concave plugs. I paid everything, including about $9.00 shipping and handling. Three days later, I get an email telling me the 1 5/8" plugs are no longer available and they are refunding the charge for the 1 5/8" plugs. They did not refund any shipping and handling, however. So, I bought one 1 3/8" plug for about $11.00. And so it goes.

This might give you a little better idea of my frustration.

Anyhow, thanks for reading the posts and for looking. Hopefully, I'll ether find a vendor or someone with extras.

Bob

[dontknowitall]

Hi, try http://www.vintagepowerwagons.com/

go to the parts place and browse trough all the car / truck parts listed there.

[Frank Ollian]

Rock Auto. $1.25 each in a 10 pack.

[ggdad1951]

you could also call up Wagamon Brothers here in the Cities, they did mine. I'd think they'd sell ya a set. Their number is 763-789-7227 ask for Jeff.

[Don Coatney]

There are 96 possible vendors within 10 miles of San Antonio, TX. If it were me I would call them all until I found what I was looking for. Why will none of the vendors you talked to not order them for you? Every parts house in my area will do special orders for me.

http://hosted.where2getit.com/dorman/index.html

[Bobacuda]

I just placed an order with Rock Auto. I tried their website before, but I entered the type of vehicle - not many parts available that way. This time, I went to vendor and then part number (without the hyphen). I am more than happy to order ten plugs and have some extras.

As for the 92 vendors in the area, they are the chain stores - Autozone, Advance, O'Reilly's, NAPA, Pep Boys and Carquest. They all sell Dorman products, just not the product I needed. Several places (Autozone, Advance, O'Reilly's) told me their computer and parts book did not list them. I tried the websites, I called and I visited stores. I don't know why they did not want to order the plugs, but I suspect they felt it was more trouble to them than it was worth.

Anyhow, if Rock has the plugs, problem solved and I thank everyone for their help and input.

Bob

[Young Ed]

Bob when I needed new grease plugs for the top of my kingpins my Napa was able to order them once I found the dorman # online. Its ashame your guys won't work with you. And now they got what they deserve which is your business going to someone else.

[TodFitch]

...As for the 92 vendors in the area, they are the chain stores - Autozone, Advance, O'Reilly's, NAPA, Pep Boys and Carquest. They all sell Dorman products, just not the product I needed. Several places (Autozone, Advance, O'Reilly's) told me their computer and parts book did not list them. I tried the websites, I called and I visited stores. I don't know why they did not want to order the plugs, but I suspect they felt it was more trouble to them than it was worth....

Bob when I needed new grease plugs for the top of my kingpins my Napa was able to order them once I found the dorman # online. Its ashame your guys won't work with you. And now they got what they deserve which is your business going to someone else.

This is one reason I try to buy everything I can from "my local better auto supply store" even if the price might be a bit higher: They are willing to paw through the old paper catalogs and they are willing to special order parts for me. So I want to help keep them in business. Happens to be a CarQuest place.

Anyway, I encourage everyone to find the store local to yourselves that is willing to go the extra distance for you and then send them all of your business and direct your friends there too.

[Mike@DRH]

We use "Pioneer" brand products for most all of our soft plug needs in our shop.

For what it's worth our supplier has sixty 10 packs on the shelf right now.

[Plymouthy Adams]

our Carquest stores in our area years ago..miss them..they did try to help..our Advance store still has the books and it can be a bother at times to get them to let you look at the book..but a couple of the "older guys" know what you need and will happily let you scan the hardbounds..of the two NAPA stores, one will happily help while the other will happily show you the door...

I think a PS may be needed here...the one that is a bother has the contract for the county vehicles and school bus fleet..who needs to bother with peons..

Edited June 8, 2011 by Tim Adams