Elgin (West Bend) question on the coolant drain plug

[Flyzone]

Several years ago I replaced the lost brass NPT drain plug on the engine block (just below the cylinder head) on my 1954 Elgin 7-1/2hp engine. However I recently noted on another engine that the drain plug had a drain hole in it and really isn't a "plug" but a drain. Do all of the West Bend Elgin engines have a drain plug like this? If so, I guess I'll have to drill a hole in it but it doesn't seem to make sense to me. I've used this engine with the solid plug for several years.

 

[Grub54891]

After 3 posts, you can post pics. Any random post will do. Then show us where it is, and we can help. Welcome to I Boats!

 

[Flyzone]

OK. Thanks. (I don't think I've ever had an electrical problem.)

 

[Flyzone]

Here's my 3rd post for pix posting.

 

[Flyzone]

This is the same engine block from a year earlier model (53) which shows a solid plug (red arrow). The plug is actually IN the cylinder head. I am wondering now if the previous owner of my engine drilled the hole in the plug for some reason. Or, was it changed in 54 to have the hole. while taking the pic I noticed the hole may be slightly off center implying that is what happened. Anyway, I would like to know if anyone is familiar with this as a factory change or a good reason to do this on your own.

 

[F_R]

Somebody drilled it to make a pee hole to tell if the water pump is working. Some people just love to see something peeing.

 

[Flyzone]

That would make sense if there weren't already several pee holes elsewhere on the engine block and motor leg. There's just so much peeing one can do.

I am concluding that this is self-inflicted based mostly on my own closer look and comparisons.