leaky freeze plug

[ricko700]

I installed 4 new Welch plugs on my 48 8n recently and after the rebuild it ran pretty good till one started leaking a bit..I gave it another well placed whack with a BFH and my long socket extension and it quit but then another one (behind the starter of course started leaking so I took off the starter and whacked it..antifreeze went all over the floor..I took it out and put in another one (6 to a pack from this site) and lubed it up with old indian gasket goop and filled her up...leaking again,,,took it out and put in the last one with black silicon on it but it just doesnt look square in the hole..its 1 3/16" but looks like its too big and doesnt seat rite like the rest of em did?? There is a secind level smaller diameter "ledge" that looks like a much better place for one but can I use that if I find the rite plug?/ I think I'll try one of my bait well plugs from my boat...any othet suggestions as always will be appreciated.

 

[Steve MI]

At Chevy we used a roller. Was a tool in an air wrench that the bit was a snug fit in the inside of the plug. Small cylinders fitted in outside perimeter of tool rolled against the inside of plug basically pressing or mushrooming metal of plug outward into hole as in slightly increasing diameter of plug. Used a snug fit socket once in the same way cocking it to the side and back and forth. Not easy but may work. All plugs are rolled when installed at assembly.

 

[Steve MI]

This is for a plug with walls on the side. I don't know what Ford uses. Mine are so covered with paint can''t see anything.

 

[Dunk]

I may be bad wrong, but I don't think these have walls like a Chevy.

I think they are just stamped concave pieces of steel.

My rocker is rocking...

 

[Hobo,NC]

Steve I know its not N related BUT I shore nuff am interested in what you have to say, any thing that has to do with assembly. I would like to here more of yer tricks, bring'em on. I certainly appreciate them even if it don't apply never know it mite. I shore nuff mite could squeeze a little more in my thinker.

 

[ricko700]

They are stamped..no walls other than the thickness of the plug. Will an expandable boat plug work??

 

[Dunk]

I think it will work, ricko..

But I think it will interfere with putting your starter on.

I may be bad wrong though.

Both ways.

 

[Dunk]

I do think they make some very compact rubber sandwitch ones like that, that will work the same way though.

 

[Steve MI]

Make sure the hole is clean. Burrs from pulling the old one or corrosion paint anything will scar a new plug. We always froze plugs overnight to make sure as cold and small as possible to avoid damage when installing and kept cold till the last second. Some may say not necessary but you want to let it swell in there and reduce the chance of deforming it.

 

[Ken(Ark)]

I have tried a lot of things that didn't work and a few that did , he he .

At your local auto parts store you can get sheets of brass shim stock in different thicknesses or maybe a couple layers of tin fold would work to wrap the plug and make it fit tighter before you swedge it flat .

I recon you could cut a strip of shim stock 1/4 " wide and wrap the edge of the plug then hammer it flat on the front and back side to hold it in place .

A few minutes and a dollar or two is all you got to lose .

 

[Dunk]

Ken, If that will work, so will a strip cut from a Budweiser can.

And I am not at all against the idea.

 

[Ken(Ark)]

Your right , I better do my part and get some shim stock ready to experiment with . Might not work but somebodys got to get the supplies ready to testing .

 

[Hobo,NC]

Use a file and clean the edge of the plug, use the butt end of the file to clean the hole, use 2 hammers one with the ball end again the plug center, hit that hammer with another to expand the outer edge of the plug in the hole, try some lock tite for sealer. Hit the plug 2 much and you roll the otter edge out and its loose. I have the napa # for the plugs iffin you find the need for more.

 

[Steve MI]

Thanks for the understanding. Knew I could be wrong but you don't get a chance to throw in a tip on this stuff very often. I know its for Ns but general knowledge in the back of your head goes a long way. Thought Chevy might stir things up more. I got a thick skin and learn every day.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Not now but when I git ya pined down and kin git a good clean shot I will tell 'bout my 71 chebby motor home 350 engine muck up that started at the engine assembly plant. ever see .0005 rod bearings factory installed.

 

[Bob]

Clean abd dry the hole, and swab a little Locktite around the outside. Install the plug, and bafter it a little to flatten the concave surface, and swell it in place.

It WILL NOT leak.

 

[ricko700]

I got one at Napa today 7/8"..Ill try it and post back..also got several sizes of smaller od(15/16..1 1/16..1 1/8") welch plugs to try to git in the smaller second level ...seems like a better place for them..I think my block has maybe corroded on one side of the plug hole so it wont seal or seat good.

 

[Steve MI]

May be wrong on this applicaation but most freeze plugs are to take sand out of the part in manufacturing. Many can be permanently sealed. They are not true freeze plugs. Is this a JB repair anyone? Brass seals better than most others.
Shim stock could be a good idea .. don't really know but dissimilar metals in a wet environment can cause galvanic corrosion at a later date. Kind of like science experiment of putting a nickle and penney in a grapefruit to measure current or a boat used in salt water will tear up lower unit. Just a thought
We used blue LOCTITE on water jacket , red on everything else. Loctite only works with an air tite seal.