Coolant re-route - deleting front coolant neck - why or why not?
 

Hello all

Is a blanking plate sufficient for the front coolant neck? Would you delete it if you could?

My engine is out for a rebuild so the cambelt is removed and access isn't a problem

Along with a clutch, forged engine kit and a radiator I've ordered the skidnation coolant reroute along and opted for the coolant neck delete option, but I'm having second thoughts and can change my order if I want to.

What say you?

thanks

Sam

You need the freeze plug that they sell and for reassurance you can make a small plate that covers that plug.

Yeah I figured I'd need to freeze the plug, but adding another plate on top just seems like it would be easier to just plate off the coolant neck and be done with it?

Put the freeze plug in the freezer, put some gasket goo on the side of the plug and just tap it in with a socket that fits in the inside of the freeze plug. Then just get a steel strip and bolt it over the freeze plug and you're done.

Your option is to make a thick plate and gasket that fits in that space. The coolant neck uses an oring to seal so you can't find a standard gasket. If it fails you need to remove everything again to fix it...

Option 1 sounds a lot simpeler to me.

I made an aluminum plate and used RTV to seal it. No freeze plug. It's been fine for.... 4 years now?

I also left the rear timing plate thing off, so it's really easy to get to if it ever leaks (left the plate off since this engine chews through cam seals for some reason, so I wanted to keep and eye on them).


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...78b8ffcd76.jpg

I made a plate with a port for the turbo and return from the oil cooler with no core plug.

https://supermiata.com/supermiata-qm...ate-small.aspx

They include this w/ the reroute kit, but looks like Emilio-bro sells it separate too.

Thanks guys. The Skidnation kit I've ordered comes with the freezeplug and blanking plate. I just wasn't 100% on deleting the coolant neck. Having seen some of the replies and dug into more threads where people have done it, I'm on board now.