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Old 01-10-2011 | 11:15 AM
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Default Freeze plugs

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?
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Old 01-10-2011 | 12:03 PM
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Not a good sign, sounds like it froze at some point. Get it checked.
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Old 01-10-2011 | 12:06 PM
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Ohh yea, it definatly froze on the one side. Water level was about half drained though.

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Old 01-10-2011 | 12:21 PM
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if the plugs pushed out, they did their job.
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Old 01-10-2011 | 08:53 PM
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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.
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Old 01-10-2011 | 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Griswald
if the plugs pushed out, they did their job.
WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 01-10-2011 | 09:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 1BIGJIM
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.
X 2 What jim said
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Old 01-10-2011 | 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by jeffswav
I am going to have it magnifluxed, what do you guys think?
Good idea. You can also have them pressure tested. Man that sucks.
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Old 01-10-2011 | 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by picklenjim
Good idea. You can also have them pressure tested. Man that sucks.
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.
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Old 01-10-2011 | 10:40 PM
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Pressure test will tell the story fast , and easy to do. If it will not hold pressure it will have to come apart anyway. good luck
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