Freeze/Frost/Core Plug replacement

[garydan]

I have what I believe to be a 4-bolt main 400ci motor since it has 3 freeze plugs on the side. The freeze plug on the drivers side closest to the front of the motor is leaking. Unfortunately its right behind the motor mount. Will I be able to replace the plug without removing the motor?

 

[toomany]

You should be able to get to it without removing the motor entirely. You will have to raise the motor up with a cherry picker or block of wood and a jack under the pan. Pulling the clamshell of the motor is a given, removing the mount from the frame should give some more room too. The hardest thing will be getting enough room to get a decent swing with a hammer so it goes in straight/square.

Be sure to take the distributor cap off before lifting the motor, otherwise there is a chance it will hit the firewall and crack.

 

[garydan]

Should I be worried about the plug blowing out? Right now the leak is manageable. This is not my daily driver. It has a consistent drip though. I just want to know if I should be worried about a total coolant loss during a weekend drive.

 

[toomany]

I wouldn't worry about it blowing/falling out. Usually they are in there pretty good. I'm guessing it's a steel plug that is coroding away. I'd get it changed as soon as you can, it defently won't get any better on it's own.

 

[BRIAN THOMAS]

use a rubber soft plug, hard to hammer the steel units in when you dont have the room

 

[Capt.D]

To get by for a while I used an expandable plug. It is rubber and has a nut that you tighten to seal it. I gave the motor to a friend when I got a big block and he ran it for a couple years after that...when he blew the motor it was still holding although I would not do it he had no problems...

 

[4X4HIGH]

I would use the brass expandable plug over the rubber. They both work the same way but for obvious reasons the brass is a much better plug.

There is a tool made to install standard expansion plugs in areas that are difficult to reach. Here is a link to one of them. http://www.toolsource.com/freeze-plug-installation-tool-p-50332.html

 

[4xcrazy]

if you're careful, you can use a air hammer, i watched a friend of mine help me replace the passenger side one on mine with his air hammer, easy hits so it doesn't damage the plug, goes right in.

when he did this, i was "that's not right, such cheating" he just started laughing.

 

[garydan]

Good info guys. Thanks! Now I have to work on how to get the engine mount off.