Trouble with Missing Freeze Plug
6th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,469
From: AR
I assumed it was called a freeze plug. I can see that a freeze plug would only pop out due to frozen engines, but if this plug came loose due to air pressure or just random bumps on the road, it might be possible that it fell inside. Does anyone know if the metal is magnetic? or would having to get a snake with a camera on it be the best route?
The plug will probably be galvanized steel, a magnet will grab it.
The only way I see it coming out of there is if it didn't fit well to begin with...
or maybe a strong backfire might blow that thing out? That theory kind of makes sense, Those I-6s seem to backfire quite a bit...
Not that I am necessarily recommending this, but in a pinch, a thin plate and a little JB Weld would probably take care of that hole....
Last edited by JMD; Jun 15, 2011 at 12:44 PM.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,100
From: Texas Hill Country
Yeah, freeze plugs work down here. It does not get very cold, but they save racers who are running straight water and forget to drain their blocks. I know two blocks that were saved this past year when it stayed below freezing for 4 days in South Texas. I am sure they are used for what you are saying too. I have not heard that but is good trivia.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,946
From: Colorado
I’m not surprised that the plug popped out of that hole. That hole is not meant to take a freeze plug. The way to plug the hole is to take a piece of plate steel, I would use ¼” plate, and build a block of plate using the two bolts that are in the manifold on either end of the hole you are plugging. Use an EGR gasket or make your own to fit the plate and bolt it over the hole. As far as finding the old freeze plug. That is up to you. I would think that if it went into the engine it would have sucked itself down into a cylinder right away and you would know it from the noise it would have made. It would be a good idea to look for it if you access to a bore scope. I don’t think you will find it inside the manifold.
Foghorn Leghorn
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,923
From: I reside in a near constant state of amazment.
I saw a freeze plug work on a Case tractor. The morning after a hard freeze the freeze plug was still stuck to a 6" long chunk of ice hanging out the side of a block like a frozen pecker.
6th Gear Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,232
From: PA
I’m not surprised that the plug popped out of that hole. That hole is not meant to take a freeze plug. The way to plug the hole is to take a piece of plate steel, I would use ¼” plate, and build a block of plate using the two bolts that are in the manifold on either end of the hole you are plugging. Use an EGR gasket or make your own to fit the plate and bolt it over the hole. As far as finding the old freeze plug. That is up to you. I would think that if it went into the engine it would have sucked itself down into a cylinder right away and you would know it from the noise it would have made. It would be a good idea to look for it if you access to a bore scope. I don’t think you will find it inside the manifold.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,027
From: NJ
Yeah, freeze plugs work down here. It does not get very cold, but they save racers who are running straight water and forget to drain their blocks. I know two blocks that were saved this past year when it stayed below freezing for 4 days in South Texas. I am sure they are used for what you are saying too. I have not heard that but is good trivia.
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