Hey guys, so I may have done something dumb . I just finished doing the timing chaing, new water pump etc etc and was down to just putting in a missing bolt on an engine mount to get the Stang running. The hole wasn't quite linning up so I was using a pry bar to move everything just enough to line them up. I was doing this from the underside with the pry bar between what I thought was the block and the mount. All of the sudden it starts leaking antifreeze. I think I may have had the pry bar resting on the center core plug and moved it?? I can't see it really well from any angle. Could I have put a hole in it or just rotated it somehow to allow the antifreeze to leak out.

If I did damage it, how hard is it to replace that? Does it require pulling the engine or can I just get a new plug and put it in? Sorry for the ignorant question.I'm just at my wits end with this thing because the whole project started out as just a broken dip stick tube (long story) and the further I got into this thing the more had to be replaced until I was down to the block! [:@] I suppose if it needed to be done, it needed to be done though.

 

Sounds like you either punctured or displaced a freeze plug. If you're lucky, maybe you can replace in the vehicle depending on which plug you tweaked. Likely, you'll be pulling the engine to get good access for the repair. Don't beat yourself up, $hit happens. I once had a bolt fall in the starter hole in the bellhousing. That little sucker somehow wedged itself in so tight that I had to pull the tranny and bellhousing to get it out. [:@]

 

Thanks for the encouragement. It's been one da** thing after another and I start thinking I shouldn't been working on cars anymore between the broken screwdriver tip in the oil pan and now this. I guess once you hit rock bottom and break everything there's only one way to go though right? [&:]

I just talked to a shop and they mentioned something about a rubber plug with a nut in the middle that, when tightned, would expand to fill the hole?? What da hell? Is that normal or even effective? They said it was for areas that they couldn't get their "soft plug" tool to reach. This one is the center one on the right or passenger side behind the motor mount.

 

i know people that use the rubber expansion plugs in their whole engine i personally use brass with some hi-tac or aviation sealant

 

It sounds like they are recommending a well-nut type plug. I'm with Brandon, I'd replace it with a brass plug if possible. If you have a hoist, you could have the engine lifted high enough for the job in 2 to 3 hours.

Just remember to go slow and do whatever it takes to get the job done right and you'll be happier in the long run. FWIW, my biggest bonehead move (that I can remember ) is when I was doing my first engine swap in a Mustang at 19 years old. While installing the pressure plate (with used bolts), I snapped one of the bolts off. I figured no big deal since there are five more, so I buttoned everything back up. When my dad found out he made me tear it all back apart, easy-out the bolt and reinstall with new bolts. Live and learn.

 

Do you think it's safe to drive this to a shop with that plug tweaked like that or should I just bite the bullet and get it towed (I think this kind of a job is out of my league for now)?

 

It's ok dude, crap happens. I snapped a watter pump bolt in the block, and it was one that went through the timing cover and then into the block.... my dad and I tried tapping it out and watnot but to no avail. Sooo we had to load the engine in the truck and take it to this machine shop to get it out. That was our 160 dollar bolt....

Don't use stainless steel bolts! You might think they're hardened, but they're not.....

 

Stainless is brittle so it tends to snap without yielding like regular bolts. You shouldn't need hardened bolts for a water pump anyway, so I'm guessing that it was either and old bolt, overtightened, or just plain bad luck with a cheap bolt.

As for driving it to the shop with the leak, it all depends on how fast it is leaking and how far you are driving. If there is any doubt, tow it.

 

I blew a freeze plug and replaced it with the rubber one with the nut in the middle to tighten it down in the hole. It worked great, and I didn't have to pull the engine. This was in a 1956 Pontiac Chieftain. I drove that car like that for 5 more years and it was still holding when I sold it.

 

Thanks guys. I think I'll just tow it (better safe than sorry) and get the rubber plugs put in. They're cheaper I guess because the shop said they can get to them with the rubber ones without having to pull the engine (saves me a lot of $ in labor). I guess there's some sort of tool they use for the brass ones that they wouldn't be able to fit in otherwise. Then...between the plugs, new control arm, new front end, new this new that and everything else that had to be replaced it should be ready to drive! Until, that is, I find out it's the ONE remaining seal I didn't replace yet that needs it. HA... C'est la vie!