jeffswav

Ok, here is my delima. I have a gen 5 BBC, I have a few oil leaks to work out so I pulled the engine this fall. I have the engine on a stand with the valve covers, oil pan and manifolds removed. I pulled the drain plugs on the block and the water started draining. I assumed it would continue to drain but the right side apparently clogged up. So here is the bad part, the freeze plugs popped out of the right side of the engine, the side with the starter. I am going to have it magnifluxed, what do you guys think?

ThisIsLivin

Not a good sign, sounds like it froze at some point. Get it checked.

jeffswav

Ohh yea, it definatly froze on the one side. Water level was about half drained though.

Griswald

if the plugs pushed out, they did their job.

1BIGJIM

iTrader: (1)

From a previous post. Do a search on this topic.

The term "freeze plug" is wrong. They aren't there to keep the block from cracking if frozen. It just happens that they sometimes pop out when the coolant freezes.
Proper term is 'Core Plug". That's how the foundry gets the sand core out after casting the block.

You are doing the correct thing by testing the block. If you don't see a crack you probably will be good.

picklenjim

Good idea. You can also have them pressure tested. Man that sucks.

jeffswav

Yea, I will probably do both. Problem is the engine is fully assembled, to magneflux you have to use iron dust. Not good for the internals. I was just woundering were the problem areas are.

ezstriper

If it broke you should be able to see it pretty clear along the outside of the block

jeffswav

Outside of the bock is visually not cracked. Someone said the lifter area may crack. How are you guys pressure testing? Do you plug off the water inlets and thermostat housing the run air pressure? I would think about 25-30 psi.

f_inscreenname

I don't think that would happen with one side half full. Look close at the top of the block where the heads bolt on. That's where the last motor I bought had broken at. Sadly it was inside and out.