Yes, that one goes a bit beyond just stopping a leak. It must have frozen solid from top to bottom to do that much damage. What are commonly called "freeze" plug holes are actually there to poke the casting sand out at the foundry- - - -no guarantee at all that they're going to prevent block damage during cold weather! Have you got a medium-sized boat that needs an anchor?
Jerry
That is why GM calls them core plugs. Those holes were made when casting the blocks for the need to wash out the casting sand from the area that makes up the water jacket.
The core plugs is how those openings are closed, seal the water jacket. They were never designed to pop out when the engine coolant was to freeze.
