(Coolant) Installing freeze/expansion plugs in the coolant ports to the intake.

 
Old 03-10-12, 02:31 PM
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(Coolant) Installing freeze/expansion plugs in the coolant ports to the intake.

Since this seems to be coming up a lot lately I took some pictures of how I do it. Out of 10+ motors I have only had one leak (previous owner installed plugs and pried them out leaving some pretty nasty grooves).

Get yourself some 20mm freeze (expansion) plugs, I use napa because they seem to always have them in stock. part #381-2151 They should run you about $2.



Clean the ports in the housings well, and check for burrs, or irregularities. A fine grit sandpaper and your finger will smooth out any imperfections quite nicely.

Acquire a suitable installation driver tool, I use a craftsman 6in 3/8 drive socket extension.



A light coat of rtv will act as a lubricant for install and as a sealing agent once they are in.



With a hammer and your socket extension (or other appropriately sized tool) drive them in square to the housing, and just below the surface.



Clean up the errant rtv, and put it all back together. I usually let them cure for a few hours before re-assembly, and overnight before running.




Isaac
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Old 03-10-12, 05:23 PM
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nice writeup Isaac! i don't think it gets any better than that on an install of the freeze plugs! if you want i can sticky this.
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Old 03-10-12, 06:23 PM
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Do with it what you please

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Old 03-10-12, 06:35 PM
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Lol perfect timing. I'm trying to find freeze plugs local. Thank you for the part number. I'll see if napa has them in stock hopefully.
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Old 03-10-12, 07:00 PM
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O'Reilly had the steel ones in stock - I ordered brass ones, on the premise that they'd be less likely to mung the aluminum should I decide to take them back out later.
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Old 03-11-12, 07:09 AM
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thread is stuck!
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Old 03-11-12, 10:05 PM
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Silly question, but are the plugs the same size for 12A housings? I only ask because the pictures show a 13B.
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Old 03-11-12, 11:49 PM
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Yes, all 12a and 13b are 20mm.


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Old 03-12-12, 01:25 AM
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How much of the block would I have to drain in order to take off the manifold without coolant spilling everywhere?
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Old 03-12-12, 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by MiniFoo
How much of the block would I have to drain in order to take off the manifold without coolant spilling everywhere?
About half, drain the radiator halfway first, then use the drain plug on the center iron, drivers side, just above the oil pan. The best reason for freeze plugs IMO is to be able to take the manifold off without spilling any coolant.

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Old 03-12-12, 11:44 AM
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Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. The coolant passages going into the intake manifold are only there to heat it up faster in the winter, right? How much of an effect does blocking them off have on cold weather starts, even if I keep my choke?
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Old 03-12-12, 12:11 PM
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We always forget about the ACV port, don't we?
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Old 03-14-12, 01:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Jeff20B
We always forget about the ACV port, don't we?
I have a block-off plate for the ACV, and since I'd be installing a new intake gasket anyway, I'd be making absolutely sure that I'm getting the right one. Unless I'm missing something obvious...?
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Old 07-25-12, 06:22 PM
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oooooh i just love that you cant make a new thread till you have 20 posts... it has kept me from posting on this site for QUITE SOME TIME NOW!
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