One or more of the freeze plugs should have popped before cracking the block. But stranger things have happened. Good luck...

 

Not necessarily. #1, that's not what those are supposed to do (they're called core plugs...part of the molding process), #2 it's very possible for it to freeze somewhere in the block where it has nowhere to expand except to crack the block.

 

They are called many different things. They may be used as part of the molding process, but that doesnt mean they don’t also have an alternate purpose. Yes, they are supposed to pop when/if the coolant inside freezes. I’ve seen it first hand. As water freezes it expands and takes the path of least resistance. Freeze plugs, which are only press-fit into the block, will usually pop before the block.

Yes, anything is possible, which is why I said “should” in my first post. But for the block to break, most of the coolant within the block would have to freeze. As it freezes it takes the path of least resistance. Pushing the liquid coolant out of the motor and/or popping the freeze plugs is usually a lot easier then cracking a cast iron block. If the freeze plugs are jammed or rusted in some way so that they don’t pop easily then yes the block would crack.

 

Hello SWATsqad,

Welcome to the forum! My name is Deysha with Ford Service. I recommend you bring your vehicle in to your Ford dealer for diagnosis. Your Service Manager is in the best position to look into this for you. He can check into any assistance, Recalls, or Customer Satisfaction Programs that may apply to your vehicle.

Deysha

 

i run straight antifreeze in my cars and trucks. i mix it heavy, not 50/50. that way i am garranteed to cove the temperature.

 

100% antifreeze freezes at a higher temperature than a 50/50 mix. The highest percentage of antifreeze you should use to prevent freezing is 70%. If you run 70% in hot weather, you could have an overheating problem, because that mixture does not remove heat as well as 50/50.

 

100/0 coolant/water will boil at a lower temp then 50/50, so you’ll overheat pretty quick. The highest percentage should be 70/30 and only when the weather is coooooold. When the weather is warm, you want 50/50.

 

Deysha. Didn't you read his place of residence. He is in Lithuania, not main street USA. He probably has the only Mustang in the country of this vintage. They ( if there is a local Ford dealer???) may know the Cologne engine, but would probably freak over a Mustang. lol

 

haha! That is correct, I love mustangs (american cars in general), and I HAD to have one as my first car, so I shipped it from the United States, and it was an epic pain in the *** to get it certified to European standards. Though I saw a 2012 gt driving around last week, so I guess that makes two. The service I took it to was ford certified, they didn't freak out, but that was probably their first mustang. That service was not certified for american vehicles sadly, but they did a good job for a reasonable price. In the winter I drive a mazda tribute that also has an american 3.0 ford engine, so if I ever need oem parts I'm screwed.

 

I sure did overlook that, akdoggie…

However, SWATsqad, you can contact our Ford Finland Customer Relationship Center at +358 (0) 9 3517 0100 for further assistance.

Deysha