freeze plug happy ending

wjytexas · Oct 14, 2016

I couldn't find any freeze plugs around where I live but was in Fredericksburg (TX) yesterday and the Deere/New Holland dealer had 3 and ordered a couple more for me. I made a tool like Hobo, N.C posted pics of and went to work. All needed replacing but the big discovery was the ridiculous buildup of BarrsLeak in the motor. I flushed and dug around for over an hour. After cleaning up the mess set about installing the 3 plugs I had. All went well and the other plugs will be in next week! Thanks to all who responded with suggestions.

Hobo,NC · Oct 14, 2016

i NEVER HAVE DONE A REAR ON ON A fORD BUT THOUGHT IT WAS VERY POSSIBLE (WOOPS CAP LOCK ON) I have got under motor mounts behind exhaust manifolds places you would think impossible with out major disassembly. I have a few drivers in the 6 to 8ft range to go over are down the side of the transmission to get at a plug on the side are rear of a engine. Folks would think its not possible to drive a plug with your tool buts very doable and most of the time drives it with no difficulty.

Cool thanks for the pix...

Steve@Advance · Oct 14, 2016

The black sludge may not all be Bars Leak.

I've seen that in engines I had no reason to believe had ever had Bars Leak in them.

I think it's a mixture of iron oxide, casting sand, and hard water deposits that settles in the bottom of the block. Apparently it is quite corrosive. I've seen the back side of freeze plugs eaten away on the bottom where they were in contact of it, still looked good on top.

It is good to get all of it out you can!

Ever use any of these? They are great where you can't get a swing with a hammer, permanent too!
Copper expandable freeze plug

johnlobb · Oct 14, 2016

Looks like it was a good thing you pulled those...

Hobo,NC · Oct 14, 2016

Steve I value you opinion this is not to degrade you knowledge.

I have replaced my fare share of repair plugs like those I get paid very well to fix it with a drive in plug like it came with from the factory. I luv it when another shop are DIY hacked it with a expandable plug it pays BIG money to fix it like it should be. I have never to my knowledge had to replace a drive in plug I have replaced in 43 years of playing mechanic.

That being said Yes I have tried them they leaked are it would not stay put while I tried to nail it in place

Delawaresurfman · Oct 14, 2016

Hobo, I had a freind that worked as a flat rate mechanic at the Olds dealer back in the day. Some model had freeze plug issues. Warranty work. No one wanted the jobs, had to pull the motor. He would fix one a night after everyone left. It paid way more than 8 hours time. After doing many the Company way he realized exactly where they were located. He'd pull the interior rug, use a wholesaw in the floor and be right at the plug. Goop up the hole, and be done. He was making a killing. The owner finally found out and frowned upon the practice. Good while it lasted,

jeffcat · Oct 14, 2016

What in the world was wrong with that? They used to cut holes in the fender wells to change the blasted sparkplugs. I think he was really smart and a stupid owner!

Steve@Advance · Oct 14, 2016

Guess I've just been lucky, never had one leak or come back.

Now I have seen the rubber ones fail, never used one, never will!

dmbinva · Oct 14, 2016

(quoted from post at 18:58:03 10/14/16) What in the world was wrong with that? They used to cut holes in the fender wells to change the blasted sparkplugs. I think he was really smart and a stupid owner!

Some owners of new automobiles frown on you for cutting a 3 inch hole in the floorboard of a $35,ooo car , I would be one of them But alas I only own $500 cars now

Hobo,NC · Oct 15, 2016

A olds V8 was a freeze plug eater I remember the one behind the dipstick, the dipstick had to come out it was a challenge to get the dipstick out and back in. I made tools to R&R that bugger too.

wjytexas · Oct 15, 2016

I can tell you replacing them on a '58 Ford car with a later model 352 cu in was not a snap.

Steve Brussell · Feb 10, 2022

When I was a mechanic for Pontiac in the 70s, doing a heater fan motor in a Firebird required removing the inner fender. We found out that we could air chisel a flap in the inner fender and save lots of time. The factory found out and then they put a semicircular imprint on the inner fender and greatly lowered their time because they changed the repair to what we found in the field. So owners may not like it but thats what the factory wanted.

freeze plug happy ending

wjytexas

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Hobo,NC

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Steve@Advance

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johnlobb

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Hobo,NC

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Delawaresurfman

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jeffcat

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Steve@Advance

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dmbinva

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Hobo,NC

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wjytexas

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Steve Brussell

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