Anti-seize compound on engine block drain plugs

[Donald H.]

As I am restoring my 66, I want to correct things that are wrong. The block had Allen head block drain plugs and I purchased the correct square head plugs. I also need to change the smaller plug on the front of the block.

I had a hard time getting the Allen head plugs out this morning. I finally had to resort to using my propane plumbers torch and heating for quite a while. This may have been my fault. I purchased the car about 4 years ago and thoroughly drained and flushed the block with water. When I reinstalled the plugs I think I used Permatex thread sealer, I am wondering if this made removal of the plugs more difficult?

I am now thinking of using an anti-seize compound on the plugs. I have a product call Kopr-Kote anti-seize lubricant.

I there any harm in using this on the block drain plugs? Any recommendations for or against using it?

Thanks,

Don

[Larry M.]

Re: Anti-seize compound on engine block drain pluts

As I am restoring my 66, I want to correct things that are wrong. The block had Allen head block drain plugs and I purchased the correct square head plugs. I also need to change the smaller plug on the front of the block.

I had a hard time getting the Allen head plugs out this morning. I finally had to resort to using my propane plumbers torch and heating for quite a while. This may have been my fault. I purchased the car about 4 years ago and thoroughly drained and flushed the block with water. When I reinstalled the plugs I think I used Permatex thread sealer, I am wondering if this made removal of the plugs more difficult?

I am now thinking of using an anti-seize compound on the plugs. I have a product call Kopr-Kote anti-seize lubricant.

I there any harm in using this on the block drain plugs? Any recommendations for or against using it?

Thanks,

Don

[Donald H.]

Re: Anti-seize compound on engine block drain pluts

Thanks,

I find the Locktite 565 sand try it

Don

[Gary R.]

Re: Anti-seize compound on engine block drain pluts

Hi Don
I use Permatex high temp thread sealant on steering boxes and head bolts. I used to use it on pipe plugs I fit into differentials for draining the oil. I had a couple of guys call me to say the plugs were very hard to remove. I had to remove an adjusting nut on a box one day after using the thread sealant and sure enough it was very tight to remove. I stopped using it on the diff drain plugs and just use good ole #2 Permatex.

[Donald H.]

Re: Anti-seize compound on engine block drain pluts

Hi Don
I use Permatex high temp thread sealant on steering boxes and head bolts. I used to use it on pipe plugs I fit into differentials for draining the oil. I had a couple of guys call me to say the plugs were very hard to remove. I had to remove an adjusting nut on a box one day after using the thread sealant and sure enough it was very tight to remove. I stopped using it on the diff drain plugs and just use good ole #2 Permatex.

The Permatex high temp is the stuff I used. I actually broke two socket head Allen wrenches trying to get the plugs out. One I heated the block around the plug and got it to break loose they came right out. Threads are very clean and no corrosion, but they sure didn't want to break loose.

[Joe L.]

Re: Anti-seize compound on engine block drain pluts

The Permatex high temp is the stuff I used. I actually broke two socket head Allen wrenches trying to get the plugs out. One I heated the block around the plug and got it to break loose they came right out. Threads are very clean and no corrosion, but they sure didn't want to break loose.

Don------


These block drain plugs are NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT to remove. If they've been in place for a long while, it can be near-impossible. While it's never happened to me, I've heard of folks that actually cracked the block trying to remove them. For me, I use anti-sieze compound on these threads. I've never had the slightest problem with sealing using this.

[John H.]

Re: Anti-seize compound on engine block drain plugs

As I am restoring my 66, I want to correct things that are wrong. The block had Allen head block drain plugs and I purchased the correct square head plugs. I also need to change the smaller plug on the front of the block.

Don -

Those bottom drain plugs for the block are steel, threaded 1/4" NPT, and have 6-point HEX heads; the small plug above the timing cover has a square head and 1/8" NPT pipe threads. I've found that anti-seize works fine on those tapered pipe threads.

[Donald H.]

Re: Anti-seize compound on engine block drain plugs

I did get hex head steel plugs for the lower block drains. I thought they were square, but I just looked at them again. The smaller one is a square head.