It's always something...

[Jim Saraceno]

So I got my '35 back on the road after replacing the fuel line and cleaning the fuel pump and now a freeze plug fell out.

When I rebuilt the engine, the machine shop took it upon themselves to install the freeze plugs, a task that I was planning on doing myself. Now I'm wondering about the rest of them. I have no idea what made this one fall out. I did notice there was sealant on the inside and they are all dimpled on the outside.

Anyone have any opinions on this?

[Don Coatney]

I installed all of my own freeze plugs when I rebuilt my engine and one of them developed a pretty good leak so I had to replace it. As the saying goes stuff happens. Stick a new one in and keep an eye on them. I carry spares with me now.

[47heaven]

How ironic...one of my freeze plugs came out partially yesterday when I had just gotten onto the freeway to test my new overdrive. Luckily, I looked at the temp gauge and saw it climbing pretty quick, so I got off of the next exit and pulled over. Some passerby pointed out the front of the car and when I got out to look I saw steam coming out. So I naturally thought it was the radiator, but when I opened the hood, I then saw the stream of water coming out of the freeze plug. Needless to say, it's back up at the mechanic's being repaired....and it's such a nice weekend to be out driving the car.

[david lazarus]

Jim. a long time ago an old mechanic told me to spread the new frost plugs by resting the ball end of a ballpeen hammer against the plug and firmly tapping the "hammer" end of the ballpeen with another hammer. He described the desired deformation as been a broard and gentle depression in the frost plug. In your photo yours look like they have been hit with a screwdriver.

Others may confirm or correct the above method, but if my engine arrived like that I would pop all of the frost plugs out and do them again.

Rgds

Dave

[BobT-47P15]

I was thinking along the lines of what David just said. One tap, not beat to heck. Maybe some sealant along with correct installation.

[Merle Coggins]

The technique that David mentioned is pretty much how I learned to install core plugs, and is how I still do it to this day. I also use some sealant, usually #9 Permetex called "Tack and Seal" It stays flexible and is quite sticky. It is my favorite gasket goop.

Merle

[Jim Saraceno]

Thanks for the advice. The plug did have a sealant on the inside. I'll take a look at the other plugs and see if they have the shape of a ballpeen hammer or not. Of course setting new plugs would be a piece of cake if the engine was still out.

In the mean time, after all the work I put into her and the way she has been treating me, I think I'm going to let her sit out in the detached garage and ignore her for a couple of weeks and see how she like that! (I'm sorry Bluebelle, I didn't mean it. You know I could never stay mad at you for long.)