Freeze Plug Replacement Motor in Car

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HTMLmopars

HTMLmopars

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What's the best method for replacing a freeze Plug without pulling the motor? My 68 Valiant just chucked one out the the passenger side bank while I was trying to pass someone. I believe it's the middle plug, but I haven't gotten a great look at it yet, since the motor's still hot and I'm waiting for a tow. Any tips and tricks to use to get the new plug in?
 
With engine still in car, go with a rubber expandable one, you'll nor likely be able to get hammer swing to drive new plug in.
 
The rubber ones work. I like these a Dorman expandable copper plugs a little better.

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I'm pretty sure I've replaced all the side/front one's on misc mopars, - in the car. Sometimes it's nec to jack up engine, and remove mounts or starter to get at them. A long 1/2" extension works well as a driver, using the female end on the fr/plug. good luck.
 
So the car didn't completely chuck the plug, but it has a significant hole in it. I'm going to talk to my school's shop manager tomorrow, see if he's got any recommendations or will let me work in a warm shop. For now I've got to get the plug out.
 
inertia said:
I'm pretty sure I've replaced all the side/front one's on misc mopars, - in the car. Sometimes it's nec to jack up engine, and remove mounts or starter to get at them. A long 1/2" extension works well as a driver, using the female end on the fr/plug. good luck.
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I have done them in the car a few times over the years, so I know it can be done with the mount out of the way and reaching in from the wheel well with a bar.
Freeze plug tools work better, but it can be done with a long extension and a big socket.
I pulled them all at once on both sides and the front and connected a section of steel fuel line to a garden hose and rinsed the block out before putting them all back in.
 
I used to have a tapered teak wooden table leg (Danish modern) that I cut off at the exact diameter needed to hold the freeze plug square and drive it in. I trimmed the other half for the smaller plugs and used both tools for years.

I also recall installing one of those rubber plugs at a gas station one night in the middle of a 700 mile road trip. This was after a mile and a half jog to get to the parts store before it closed (and back). Never would have made it but the station attendant called ahead so they would stay open (this was BCP). The plug held up but the water pump seal ate it from spinning dry. Had to add a gallon of water every 30 minutes for the next 400 miles. Replaced the pump in another parts store parking lot the next AM.
 
mvh said:
I used to have a tapered teak wooden table leg (Danish modern) that I cut off at the exact diameter needed to hold the freeze plug square and drive it in. I trimmed the other half for the smaller plugs and used both tools for years.

I also recall installing one of those rubber plugs at a gas station one night in the middle of a 700 mile road trip. This was after a mile and a half jog to get to the parts store before it closed (and back). Never would have made it but the station attendant called ahead so they would stay open (this was BCP). The plug held up but the water pump seal ate it from spinning dry. Had to add a gallon of water every 30 minutes for the next 400 miles. Replaced the pump in another parts store parking lot the next AM.
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I have had trips like that before.:D (not in my Dart though)
On one hand it's kind of fun going through the adventure of it and on the other it sucks.
When we first started taking my Dart on multi thousand mile trips I was a little apprehensive about what if something broke out in the middle of nowhere.
Then I told myself there really wasn't anything I couldn't fix, and I relaxed about it.
It hasn't failed once on one of the trips yet though, and one of them was 17 hrs keeping at 80mph as much as possible.
Once I relaxed and made myself quit listening for every little noise it started getting fun as hell to do those trips.
 
I got this tool over 20 years ago, used it to put freeze out plugs in a 66 Charger with a 383. Use with a air chisel

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Got the old one out and the rubber replacement in. Took all day yesterday, but I had the time, fortunately. I accidentally punched the problem hole bigger with a screwdriver, and then punched a second hole.

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I drove my 71 Honda AN600 300 miles to Vegas on a whim with a buddy. Should have seen people passing me, the must have thought I was nuts...yeah! On the way back we blew a tire and I didnt have the right lug wrench as I had 10" mags in it. Pulled out the spare and it was flat.. Doh! I finally got some air in it and it was the original '71 Bias ply with more cracks in the sidewall than Betty Whites face. it was a long trip home.
 
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