LMAO freeze plug above starter leaking

[1low4x4]

Well when I got the free bee motor it had a leaky plug. Replaced it with steel lugs Like a ******* and its leaking again. Block must be scarred. Anyway I bought some brass plugs.

Any tips after I pull the starter and drain the block?

 

[PrairieDrifter]

you should put some sealant around the outside of the plug so it seals good and maybe take some emory cloth and clean off the surface on the block

 

[1low4x4]

I meant has anyone done this and can it be done while engine in truck.

Rtv on freezeplugs is a nono

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Not rtv, I have this really sticky **** I got from my uncle for coolant sealing like for head bolts on some motors or freeze plugs, I don't remember the name but it works great. Probably want to take off your manifolds or headers off, get a hammer and a chisel or a punch and hit the bottom side of the plug and the bottom should push in while the top of the plug comes out then you can grab it with a vice grips and yank it out, if the plug falls into the block you can fish it out with a magnet and try again.

For installation find a socket that fits the inside diameter of the plug put some sealer on the outside ring and pound it in, about flush with the outside lip. But there are two more plugs on the back of the block also that would require removal of the engine, or transmission whichever you would prefer ha

 

[bucket]

It's best to drive the new plug in with a seal/bearing driver. If you install it with a socket, it can deform the plug enough that it may not seal to the block as well. It can be installed with the motor still in the truck.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

if you find one that fits the outside lip it shouldn't cause any problem, just an option for someone who might not have wide variety of tools.

 

[bucket]

if you find one that fits the outside lip it shouldn't cause any problem, just an option for someone who might not have wide variety of tools.

Yeah that works too but it can be a pain to keep the socket centered on the outside lip. If you don't care about the socket, you can carefully grind a ridge around it so it works like a seal driver.

FWIW, I bought a driver set from Harbor Freight several years ago, I think it was around 10 bucks.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Yeah that works too but it can be a pain to keep the socket centered on the outside lip. If you don't care about the socket, you can carefully grind a ridge around it so it works like a seal driver.

FWIW, I bought a driver set from Harbor Freight several years ago, I think it was around 10 bucks.

That's true, I've always had luck with just the biggest socket I could fit inside the plug, haven't had a leak yet but there will be that one day ha just like with anything else you work on.