Engine Performance This section is for discussion on all engine building related questions.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: KPower

Will a brass freeze plug suffice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-27-2020, 01:44 PM
  #1  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
Gvit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 8
Total Cats: 0
Default Will a brass freeze plug suffice

Deleting coolant neck for a re-route. Will a 30mm brass plug be enough or should I make an aluminum block off plate also? Not that big of a deal if I have to but I'd rather not. Thoughts?


Gvit is offline  
Old 02-27-2020, 02:10 PM
  #2  
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
concealer404's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,917
Total Cats: 2,201
Default

SHOULD suffice. Would suck to be wrong over 4 cents' worth of aluminum though.
concealer404 is offline  
Old 02-27-2020, 02:29 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
msmola2002's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Norwich NY
Posts: 635
Total Cats: 322
Default

I did the same but my 949 kit included the plate, so stuck it over the top of teh brass plug to retain it for safeties.
msmola2002 is offline  
Old 02-27-2020, 03:03 PM
  #4  
Elite Member
iTrader: (8)
 
bahurd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,381
Total Cats: 314
Default

Originally Posted by Gvit
Deleting coolant neck for a re-route. Will a 30mm brass plug be enough or should I make an aluminum block off plate also? Not that big of a deal if I have to but I'd rather not. Thoughts?
I just got a pc of flat aluminum 3/4” bar from Home Depot and drilled it for the 2 bolts just for pc of mind. Don’t overthink it...
bahurd is offline  
Old 02-27-2020, 03:31 PM
  #5  
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Midtenn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Murfreesboro,TN
Posts: 2,045
Total Cats: 265
Default

Will work. Works great as a safety when you run a motor hot and ruin a head.
Midtenn is offline  
Old 02-27-2020, 04:31 PM
  #6  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
Gvit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 8
Total Cats: 0
Default

Went ahead & made a block off plate. Turned into a 3 hr project but I can now move on to the next thing. Thanks!



Gvit is offline  
Old 02-27-2020, 05:44 PM
  #7  
Retired Mech Design Engr
iTrader: (3)
 
DNMakinson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Seneca, SC
Posts: 5,009
Total Cats: 857
Default

I personally would have skipped the plug, bought a gasket, and put it under the plate you made. But you're good.
DNMakinson is offline  
Old 02-27-2020, 05:48 PM
  #8  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
Gvit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 8
Total Cats: 0
Default

I installed a gasket under the plate also - should be good.
Gvit is offline  
Old 02-28-2020, 09:14 AM
  #9  
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Midtenn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Murfreesboro,TN
Posts: 2,045
Total Cats: 265
Default

Originally Posted by DNMakinson
I personally would have skipped the plug, bought a gasket, and put it under the plate you made. But you're good.
I tried that once and it eventually developed a small leak. I added a plug and then did a belt-and-suspenders method and sealed the plate on top of it.

You don't have to make a shaped plate, you can just make a "strap" over the plug to hold it in if you're concerned.
Midtenn is offline  
Old 02-28-2020, 11:30 AM
  #10  
Elite Member
 
x_25's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: NorthWest NJ
Posts: 1,821
Total Cats: 141
Default

I did mine with a plate with RTV, but no plug. Is holding up well.
x_25 is offline  
Old 02-28-2020, 03:10 PM
  #11  
Elite Member
iTrader: (6)
 
ryansmoneypit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: A cave in Va
Posts: 3,395
Total Cats: 456
Default

Ok, just for next time it goes like this:

Freeze plug, rtv, gasket, rtv, block off plate, two 6mm screws.

We running uranium through this ****? This is insane.
ryansmoneypit is offline  
Old 02-28-2020, 05:06 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
themonkeyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 552
Total Cats: 75
Default

Originally Posted by ryansmoneypit
Ok, just for next time it goes like this:

Freeze plug, rtv, gasket, rtv, block off plate, two 6mm screws.

We running uranium through this ****? This is insane.

That junction is meant to have an o-ring seal, which everyone seems to have overlooked.
themonkeyman is offline  
Old 02-28-2020, 06:00 PM
  #13  
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
concealer404's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,917
Total Cats: 2,201
Default

Ok so: Freeze plug, RTV, o-ring, gasket, rtv, block off plate, two grade 8 m6x1.0 bolts?

This sort of thing is a new mystery for the community and i want to make sure i got it right. This solution isn't available off the shelf to take cues from, so we're all flying blind.
concealer404 is offline  
Old 02-28-2020, 06:05 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
themonkeyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 552
Total Cats: 75
Default

Originally Posted by concealer404
Ok so: Freeze plug, RTV, o-ring, gasket, rtv, block off plate, two grade 8 m6x1.0 bolts?

This sort of thing is a new mystery for the community and i want to make sure i got it right. This solution isn't available off the shelf to take cues from, so we're all flying blind.

Hmmm, might wanna go 12.9. Ya just never know...
themonkeyman is offline  
Old 02-28-2020, 06:25 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
boileralum's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 1,105
Total Cats: 229
Default

Wait! What flavor loctite? I think the green tastes pretty good.
boileralum is offline  
Old 02-29-2020, 05:04 AM
  #16  
Newb
 
iti_uk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 15
Total Cats: 3
Default

I thought the whole idea of freeze plugs was that if the coolant freezes and expands, the plug will pop to relieve pressure in the casting which should stop the casting itself popping.

If you're going to the lengths of fabricating and sealing a blanking plate, why bother with the plug?
iti_uk is offline  
Old 02-29-2020, 06:57 AM
  #17  
Elite Member
iTrader: (6)
 
ryansmoneypit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: A cave in Va
Posts: 3,395
Total Cats: 456
Default

Because. Just because. Dont be stupid.

You have vape juice on your chin.
ryansmoneypit is offline  
Old 02-29-2020, 11:33 AM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
LeoNA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Central Commie Land
Posts: 611
Total Cats: 55
Default

The main reason the hole exists is for the removal of the core material after casting. Core plug would be a more correct term. They will not save an engine from the freezing of straight water. FWIW zinc plated steel is a much better choice then brass.

Originally Posted by iti_uk
I thought the whole idea of freeze plugs was that if the coolant freezes and expands, the plug will pop to relieve pressure in the casting which should stop the casting itself popping.

If you're going to the lengths of fabricating and sealing a blanking plate, why bother with the plug?
LeoNA is offline  
Old 03-02-2020, 11:17 AM
  #19  
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Midtenn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Murfreesboro,TN
Posts: 2,045
Total Cats: 265
Default

They will pop out if you overheat the engine, but they will not save the head.
Midtenn is offline  
Old 03-02-2020, 08:06 PM
  #20  
Junior Member
 
hks_kansei's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 298
Total Cats: 44
Default

Originally Posted by iti_uk
I thought the whole idea of freeze plugs was that if the coolant freezes and expands, the plug will pop to relieve pressure in the casting which should stop the casting itself popping.

If you're going to the lengths of fabricating and sealing a blanking plate, why bother with the plug?
That's more just a bonus feature.

As mentioned, the holes are actually just leftovers from the sand casting process, where the core needs to have some parts leading out so that it remains centred when the molten metal is poured in.

The brass plugs are pretty much just a cheap and reliable way to block off the holes left afterwards. (which btw only seem to be called freeze plugs in the US, outside of the US they seem to be more commonly called core plugs, or welsh/welch plugs)

hks_kansei is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
.one lane
General Miata Chat
3
12-27-2016 04:32 PM
PetrolPiglet
General Miata Chat
5
07-05-2014 06:10 PM
flydaddyskidz
General Miata Chat
3
06-18-2011 11:39 AM
RavynX
Engine Performance
38
04-25-2011 11:51 AM
Uncle Arthur
General Miata Chat
3
08-12-2007 11:03 AM



Quick Reply: Will a brass freeze plug suffice



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:42 AM.