Removable freeze plug?

[Dante04SRT]

I just bought a short block for my boat to replace my dead 3.0.

Anyway, the most front freeze plug is actually removable, with a bolt from the looks of it.

I've seen these a few times. What is the difference between these and the standard brass-looking ones?

 

[bomar76]

Re: Removable freeze plug?

They are a pretty poor temporary fix for a rusted/popped/leaking drive in core plug.
Replace it with the correct type.

 

[Don S]

Re: Removable freeze plug?

I've seen these a few times. What is the difference between these and the standard brass-looking ones?

If that is what you got for a rebuilt/remanned marine short block, then send it back. It's not usable.
Those expansion plugs are at best a get home, temporary fix. If you bought a short block with one in it, then they are SUPER CHEAP and you should prepare yourself for further problems. If it's a used block, prepare yourself for further problems as well.

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Removable freeze plug?

Can you explain why they are bad? I can understand the temp fix issue, but why is having one on the motor a bad thing? Possible sign of a history of freezing in the block or something? Can I swap back to the standard press in style plugs?

What should I look for and it there anything I can do to "repair" any problems that may exist?

I'm not at a point where I can return the block, so I've _GOT_ to make due with it, there's just no other way financially right now.

The cylinders look great, the pistons/rings look great, the exterior of the block looks perfect all around, everything looks GREAT on this block. Can a machine shop do any type of test on the motor to look for cracks w/o taking it apart?

 

[firehog6305]

Re: Removable freeze plug?

I have never heard of a short or long block that was build with rubber freeze plugs before, Those plugs are used for a quick fix to get you home, they are rubber with a bolt in the center that you tighten like the items you would hang a heavy picture on the wall, it home construction they are like what we call redheads, you sink them into concrete, and when you tighten the bolt, it expands in the hole for a tight fit, if you cant send the motor back, I would replace all the freeze plugs with marine ones, once that motor is in the boat, you wont be able to reach all of them, do it now and save yourself a bad boating day later

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Removable freeze plug?

IMHO Any shop that would send you a "rebuilt" or "remanufactured" engine with an expandable rubber freeze plug in it, is one I might seriously reconsider doing any business with... ever... I know it's not what you want to hear, but I would personally send it back, demand a full refund and be willing to call better busines bureau and do whatever else if they didn't provide a full refund in real time. It's beyond a question of not being satisfied, its an issue of safety. One last thought, and then I'll shut up. If that's the kind of thing that a shop will let slide on the outside of an engine, how well do you trust the work they did on the inside???

good luck, and hang in there!

 

[flashback]

Re: Removable freeze plug?

do a search here on pressure testing the block.. I've never done it but it doesn't sound too dificult.. it would tell you if you have any cracks in the block before you waste any time and money on it...but I would be wary, because original plugs usually don't fall out for no reason...how old is the block if it were an auto block then the original plug may have rusted, but in the marine world those plugs are brass...

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Removable freeze plug?

Any idea what size the 3.0 freeze plugs are?

1 3/4 or 1 5/8?