The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 freeze plug

Anyone out there know what the correct size freeze plug is supposed to be in the front of the block, just below the water pump ?
Mine disappeared somewhere!
Thanks
AM

Well, you don't say what year engine,but likely it's 2" steel.

I guess I should have said that from the outset !
Its a '54 engine, the hole looks like it measures about 1.825", but It's hard to tell looking at it, if its the hole I'm measuring or whats left of the outside rim of the plug, is there normally a step there or is it just machined smooth all the way through the block ?
I don't want to beat on the step if its actually part if the block!
Thanks
AM

Just getting back to stovebolt. It's stepped.

Well its not a 2" plug, anyone else want to guess ?
Think I'm just going to spin a couple up on the lathe and trial and error fit!

Get the whole set from Chevsofthe40s. Then you know you will have the right one and you might consider replacing all you can at the same time.

just head to yer FLAPS for 3 or 4, get one each of close sizes, there's only a certain number of possibilities and they're cheap ... use the one that fits properly

Bill

I did go to my local FLAPS and brought home one of each size in their trays that were close to it, none of them fit.
And I am going to order a whole set to replace them all during the winter, just don't want to get into that big a job during summer driving time!
As a last resort, my next step would be a rubber expanding plug,
But I'm not a fan of Temporary fixes, besides I'm pretty sure the brass one I spun up this morning will work just fine.
I was just hoping somebody off the top of their head knew what size it was supposed to be.
Thanks!

Usually when one goes bad, one or more of them ain't far behind in my experiences. Get a brass set like T'mater recommends.

If You can't find one at flaps, if You have an engine rebuilders shop close by go there they would have them and know the size,I got all of mine from a local rebuilders ,he cleaned the block and the bare head for Me and I had Him install new cam bearings so when I was there I got the freeze plugs from Him,he had a book that had all the sizes in it and He had every size youl'd ever want.

Pete

Thats a real good idea, never even thought of that, thanks!

You didn't say why 2" steel plug didn't fit. Keep in mind that a steel plug gets dimpled in the center to expand its edges for a tight fit.

Drew, the hole is only 1.825 max.
No amount of persuasion would make a 2" plug fit in that hole.
There is no way a steel or brass plug could distort .175" crush.
Thanks anyways
Andy

Andy,

I just measured the ID of the front hole of a 1954 block and it is 1.996 to 2.000". The ID after the step is about 1.85". The Master Parts Manual shows the same size for all 37-57 sixes. Is the remnants of an old plug still in the hole?

Hoyt

Hi Hoyt,
Yes the first step is 2" but the freeze plug goes in the machined bore further in, which is the 1.85 bore, the 2" step is far too shallow for it to hold the plug.
I did at first think it was the outer diameter of an old plug still stuck in there, but after cleaning and sanding it off it looks like cast iron to me.
I'm not going to bash on it in the event it is the block I'm bashing on.
Going to work on it Saturday, so will keep ya posted, thanks
Andy

Andy,

I have used the dished core plugs for the front and rear holes, not the cup shaped plugs. You want to install them with the dished part rounded OUTWARD, and the plug will just about drop into the boss in the block. Then you center a large drift on the plug and give it a coupla taps with a hammer to flatten it out slightly, which makes it seal in the block, as Drew mentioned above. Oh, and I always use a bit of the old-style Permatex sealer on them too.

Hoyt

Really ?
Am I looking for the wrong kind of plug?
I've never used anything other than the cup type, didn't know there was another type?
If thats the case, then I owe an apology to the people here who are trying to steer me straight and I didn't understand why they didn't get it!
Its me that doesn't get it! Haa!! Haa!!
Is the dish type a common plug from FLAPS, they didn't show me any other types other than the cup type.
Thanks!

That is definitely a dished plug. It does sit against the step and I would suggest some locktite to seal it up.

Yes, the flat plug is pretty common, but you'll need to find a FLAPS counter man who actually needs to shave more than once a week. One with a little gray around the temples is even better. Clean the shallow groove thoroughly, maybe with a rotary wire brush in a drill motor, then paint a little brush-on Permatex sealer into the groove. Put the dished plug into the groove with the convex side out, and give it a firm tap in the center with a 3-lb. BFH. The dish will collapse slightly and seal the edge of the plug against the block.
Jerry

Thanks guys, I really do owe an apology to DrewP who tried to send me down the right road but guess I had my head up my ***!
Well the 20year old girl at the FLAPS counter did have that kind of blank look on her face when I asked for the freeze plug.....
You know that little voice in your head that says you wasting your time in this store ? Guess I should have listened to it huh ?

I've ordered a set from chevsofthe40's as FriedGreenTmater suggested earlier, pretty much done beating my head against the wall with the parts suppliers around here, clearly no old gray haired counter people left at the NAPA stores around here!
Will just wait for them to get here I guess, of course its about 90 degrees here today so not a good day to tool around in the truck anyways!
Thanks everyone for your help!
Andy

When I was loking for one of those plugs, I went into a GM dealership to confirm that they would laugh at me because it was more than 10 years old! To my amazement, the guy looked through some catalogs and then sent me down the road to a jobber. The jobber had them in stock. I am ashamed to admit I don't know what a jobber really is or how they fit into the chain. Anyhow, I bought several and that was good because six months later I had to replace the one in the rear.

Hah.No apologies allowed on Stovebolt for seeking advice when you're not sure. Heaven knows,if that were the case, I'd have my own "Mia Culpa Forum'!

Yes but hopefully with time, I'll soak up enough information here and actually heed when somebody gives me good advice instead of jumping to quick assumptions!
Although I do feel somewhat proud of making a posting run for three pages about a freeze plug!!!Haa!! Haa!!
:):):)
Thanks Drew.