The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Block crack or freeze plug at rear?

Been trying to get Ernestine running. Unfortunately no luck so far. During all the cranking I have noticed that I have water leaking out the flywheel cover. Any ideas of what might be back there that would leak? Please, only easy fixes. I'm being a pessimist and thinking crack in the block.

Rusted out freeze-plug? (we hope)

There should be a drain hole in the bellhousing cover already, but they do tend to plug up with grease. You would be amazed at how much rainwater can collect in there.

I just noticed the same thing on my 216, runs great but lately i have noticed rusty water under teh back of teh engine and the radiator is low, is this a cracked block?

Probably not. There is a freeze plug in the back up the block behind the bell housing. It's a bugger to change, though. You need to drop the tranny, remove the flywheel and bell housing to replace a fifty cent part.

I'd try a can of stop leak first, use the powdered aluminum or copper type.

1. I had one guy tell me to drill a hole through the firewall....



2. Me too.

Now that's scary. Was he selling pencils out of a tin cup?

Sounds like I may have a rusted freeze plug. The flywheel cover is draining quite freely through the hole in the bottom. The only time it runs is after cranking the engine, so I don't think it's rainwater. Does the stop leak really work without causing any damage? I know we used to use it on our old tractor's back on the farm, but I was not concerned about long term effects. The stop leak sounds like the easy way out until I feel like pulling the tranny and flywheel to replace that 50 cent plug.

Depends....

Most mechanics I've ever talked to about it know rage against the stuff. They say it clogs up the radiator. However I have had some success with it in a variety of cars. I think the concern about clogging up the radiator is when the radiator is already pretty clogged up with rust anyway.

How's the rest of your cooling system?

That's why I recommend the powder, either aluminum or copper. If your radiator is clean you'll be okay using it. Don't use the "guaranteed to work" formulas, they will plug up a good radiator. I had it happen.

Now, for all the naysayers about stop leak, are you aware that the auto manufacturers put stop leak in every new car built?

Stay away from that stop leak crap. If you have a leak, probably that freeze plug, fix it. You will be better off than trying to get by with a band aid, when the thing could blow at any time and loose an engine. It's a lot of work, but you'll be better off.

Dumpy, Conklin Products of Shockopee, Mn. makes a stop leak called Dike. It will not clog up the radiator or heater core. It will stop leaks, really well. It will drain out of the system when you drain the coolant. I have used this product for over 20 years in everything from cars to 1710 CID V12 Cummins in dozers. Fixing the problem is the best solution, but we don't always have the option of downing a machine at a moments notice. conklin.com, I think. Mike

Thanks. Never heard of that brand before.

Do you buy it at your local auto parts store?