Freeze Plug Blew Out
#22
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 410
Total Cats: 1
I tried popping in the new freeze plug and ended up finding the previous one that popped out. I couldn't tap the new plug in because there isn't enough swinging room for the hammer with the radiator/fans there; tried using a swivel socket to resolve that and still no go. The old plug taps in fine but one edge is always further in than the other sides. I don't have confidence that one would stay in again even with the hard-setting sealant.
#23
Cpt. Slow
iTrader: (25)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 14,184
Total Cats: 1,134
Mine wouldn't go in what so ever until I used a 5lb sledge hammer and removed the radiator. Your coolants already drained anyways. Sounds like I'll be putting a strip of metal over it though for extra protection.
#24
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Manassas, Virginia
Posts: 1,242
Total Cats: 57
Curly,you used a 5lb sledge to remove the rad or removed and then hammered? Sometimes when I'm working on parts that just don't seem to install like they're sposed to I find that a hammer always seems to be the appropriate tool... till I cool down and realize I made more work for myself. Anyway when yall are talking about putting a plate on the hole do you mean in addition to the plug or just a plate with sealant?
#25
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 410
Total Cats: 1
Curly,you used a 5lb sledge to remove the rad or removed and then hammered? Sometimes when I'm working on parts that just don't seem to install like they're sposed to I find that a hammer always seems to be the appropriate tool... till I cool down and realize I made more work for myself. Anyway when yall are talking about putting a plate on the hole do you mean in addition to the plug or just a plate with sealant?
#26
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 410
Total Cats: 1
What are peoples thoughts/experiences on the rubber expansion plugs? When I got the first one the guy at the auto shop showed me the ones with a rubber seal but I got the steel one instead. Has anyone used these?
#27
Those have worked for me in the past and hold up for a long time. I would be worried about the rubber deteriorating but it would take years.
I was told to clean the freeze plug bores with brake cleaner and use Permatex No. 1 or locktite on them. Unfortunately for me this was after I already installed all of them using Ultra Copper. I hope they stay in...
I was told to clean the freeze plug bores with brake cleaner and use Permatex No. 1 or locktite on them. Unfortunately for me this was after I already installed all of them using Ultra Copper. I hope they stay in...
#28
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,593
Total Cats: 1,259
Rubber ones are only temporary. They'll degrade, and you'll have to replace them.
+1 on the Indian Head laquer sealant. It's what my dad used, and one bottle will last just about forever. I used his 30+ year old bottle last time I did a water pump, and no leaks.
+1 on the Indian Head laquer sealant. It's what my dad used, and one bottle will last just about forever. I used his 30+ year old bottle last time I did a water pump, and no leaks.
#30
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 410
Total Cats: 1
I got some aluminum stock yesterday. 1/8" thick, 2" wide and 3 ft long. I'm wondering if that would be thick enough to use as a plate over the freeze plug. BEGi uses 3/16" thick aluminum on their water neck cap-off. Should I go to 1/4" or should I stack two 1/8" plates together?
#31
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,493
Total Cats: 4,080
you want aluminum that is thick enough not to flex/bend with you tighten it down.
since it's an odd shaped oval with a bolt hole on either end, it's possible that it wont seal if too thin of stock is used.
I chose to use Utlra Grey as a gasket for my plate as well. Pretty sure I used 1/4".
I traced the water neck outlet for my template.
since it's an odd shaped oval with a bolt hole on either end, it's possible that it wont seal if too thin of stock is used.
I chose to use Utlra Grey as a gasket for my plate as well. Pretty sure I used 1/4".
I traced the water neck outlet for my template.
#32
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 410
Total Cats: 1
you want aluminum that is thick enough not to flex/bend with you tighten it down.
since it's an odd shaped oval with a bolt hole on either end, it's possible that it wont seal if too thin of stock is used.
I chose to use Utlra Grey as a gasket for my plate as well. Pretty sure I used 1/4".
I traced the water neck outlet for my template.
since it's an odd shaped oval with a bolt hole on either end, it's possible that it wont seal if too thin of stock is used.
I chose to use Utlra Grey as a gasket for my plate as well. Pretty sure I used 1/4".
I traced the water neck outlet for my template.
#34
Cpt. Slow
iTrader: (25)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 14,184
Total Cats: 1,134
5lb sledge was used for the freeze plug once the radiator was removed. Anything else just bounced off.
If you already have a freeze plug in, I don't think you need a 1/4" plate, just a strip of ~1/8" to keep it from backing out.
If you already have a freeze plug in, I don't think you need a 1/4" plate, just a strip of ~1/8" to keep it from backing out.
#38
Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fredericton, NB
Posts: 1,186
Total Cats: 4
I reused an oil freeze plug off a old escort motor.... put RTV around it and shoved it in.
I saw it backing out a little and made a plate... Its about the easiest plate to make in the world... you need a drill bit and a grinder and a thin piece of steel.
....All hacked up my backplate so I can remove it when i don't need to check timing.
I saw it backing out a little and made a plate... Its about the easiest plate to make in the world... you need a drill bit and a grinder and a thin piece of steel.
....All hacked up my backplate so I can remove it when i don't need to check timing.
#39
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 410
Total Cats: 1
Weird, I thought my post went through but I guess not...
I put the old plug back in but with Permatex hard-setting sealant. I then fabricated two 1/8" plates and affixed them with sealant to the head and then bolted them in. I haven't driven her yet due to other events this weekend but I had to dremel out part of the timing plate so I could bolt in the aluminum plates.
Photos: http://s389.photobucket.com/albums/o...nderKnife/d13/
I put the old plug back in but with Permatex hard-setting sealant. I then fabricated two 1/8" plates and affixed them with sealant to the head and then bolted them in. I haven't driven her yet due to other events this weekend but I had to dremel out part of the timing plate so I could bolt in the aluminum plates.
Photos: http://s389.photobucket.com/albums/o...nderKnife/d13/
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
StratoBlue1109
Miata parts for sale/trade
21
09-30-2018 01:09 PM