Magnum cyl head freeze plug replacement

[Cuda416]

Any tricks to doing the plugs on the rear of the heads on a small block, without removing the head, or pulling the motor?

 

[dadsbee]

Fun one is back of the block without pulling the trans!

Self tap siding/roofing screw installed with an air ratchet and then one of those slim jim style crow bars to pop it out.

 

[Cuda416]

Fun one is back of the block without pulling the trans!

Self tap siding/roofing screw installed with an air ratchet and then one of those slim jim style crow bars to pop it out.

Sounds good, what about installing the new one?

 

[dadsbee]

Appropriate diameter socket, steel or wood plate across firewall and an appropriately shaped crow bar to push it into place.. just shootin from the hip here, I've only done the back of the block without pulling the trans all the way out of the car and that was when I was 17... 41 years ago.. lol

 

[Cuda416]

Appropriate diameter socket, steel or wood plate across firewall and an appropriately shaped crow bar to push it into place.. just shootin from the hip here, I've only done the back of the block without pulling the trans all the way out of the car and that was when I was 17... 41 years ago.. lol

ha, well fair enough. We can try riggin' it some how but it's not that bad with a lift dropping the whole thing out. Just looking for a short cut if one exists.

Thanks!

 

[Inertia]

I've used appropriate length nuts, bolts, and sockets to "press" the plug in using the firewall as support to push the freeze plug in .

 

[Cuda416]

Sounds like this can be done, what about sealant? I've read about using Ptex #1 (hardening) and #2 (non-hardening), then I've heard when using brass plugs, don't seal at all. Opinions?

 

[dadsbee]

I put aviation gasket sealer on them. Never had a leak unless they rot out..

 

[MoparLeo]

A good point, why are you replacing it. Corrosion ? If so the others are next to need replacing. If this is something that yourely on, a short cut repair is just that a band-aide. Bite the bullet and do it right, Probably will need more cooling system maintenance. Normal system should be flushed and coolant replaced every 3 years or so. Belts and hoses may be a little long depending on climate conditions and quality of your parts. Number one cause of vehicle breakdowns are caused by cooling system break down/failure. Heater cores are also usually forgotten until they leak.

 

[Cuda416]

A good point, why are you replacing it. Corrosion ? If so the others are next to need replacing. If this is something that yourely on, a short cut repair is just that a band-aide. Bite the bullet and do it right, Probably will need more cooling system maintenance. Normal system should be flushed and coolant replaced every 3 years or so. Belts and hoses may be a little long depending on climate conditions and quality of your parts. Number one cause of vehicle breakdowns are caused by cooling system break down/failure. Heater cores are also usually forgotten until they leak.

This is a used motor so I suspect the plug is simply corroded. We're gonna go ahead and drop the whole thing again and just replace all four plugs on the heads and examine the others as well.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Murray]

Boy, this is an old trick- Chevy 6-cyl pick-ups. Freeze plug behind the head. Replacement required head removable. Not us! We drilled a hole in firewall to get to it and filled the hole with a snap-in metal cap. We sure beat flat-rate.

 

[YY1]

Boy, this is an old trick- Chevy 6-cyl pick-ups. Freeze plug behind the head. Replacement required head removable. Not us! We drilled a hole in firewall to get to it and filled the hole with a snap-in metal cap. We sure beat flat-rate.

I've done that too. Not proud, but saved a ton of time and work.

 

[Cuda416]

Just to button this up and say thanks to everyone in one shot. We did it the "right" way. Dropped the motor/trans again, then installed all four new brass plugs in the heads. The leaking one was so bad, it broke through when I tapped on it. We were able to remove it completely without leaving anything behind. All four are sealed nice and tight now.

Thanks again..

-=C

 

[oldkimmer]

What about the 2 plugs at the back of the block? U gonna pull the tranny after? There is plugs on the side and front of the block also. Kim

 

[Cuda416]

What about the 2 plugs at the back of the block? U gonna pull the tranny after? There is plugs on the side and front of the block also. Kim

For now, we're going to just go with it. The only one of the four we pulled that had a problem was the one that leaked. None of the others show any signs of issues. The boy with be away training/schooling and then probably Okinawa so that's a lot of time to do stuff like that.

 

[Cuda416]

Well, lesson learned..... A plug in the rear is leaking.... Now I know what we're doing this Saturday.

 

[oldkimmer]

Well that sucks. I would just change every plug then u know it’s all good. Kim

 

[Cuda416]

Well that sucks. I would just change every plug then u know it’s all good. Kim

That's the plan