62 Right Rear Freeze plug install

[John F.]

I just found a leaking right rear freeze plug. Has anyone ever done this while the motor still in the car? Any short cuts and tools to use to get out and replace is appreciated....John

Basic 250hp-327

[Dennis C.]

Re: 62 Right Rear Freeze plug install

I just found a leaking right rear freeze plug. Has anyone ever done this while the motor still in the car? Any short cuts and tools to use to get out and replace is appreciated....John

Basic 250hp-327

John,

I completed this on my '61 283 HP in December. I droped the starter and the exhaust pipe to gain access.

I knocked a hole in the old freeze plug and then pryed it out. While doing this, I placed the new freeze plug in the freezer. I then warmed the block with a hot air heat gun. When ready, I removed the new plug from the freezer, applied some sealant and started driving the new plug in using a bearing race seal driver disc. There wasn't enough room to use the handle.

After the plug was started, I switched to a short brass punch and finished driving in the new freeze plug.

Regards,

Dennis

[John F.]

Re: 62 Right Rear Freeze plug install

I'm starting to tear into the job of getting the freeze plug out and started to get the plug-wire holder out of the way. Does the bolt holding the plug wire-holder thread into the water jacket of the block? The bolt was a little loose. The plug looks ok upon cleaning it up with a rag. Was wondering if water was leaking out around the bolt? If that was the case should I just put some thread sealer on the bolt and see what happens?

[John H.]

Re: 62 Right Rear Freeze plug install

Does the bolt holding the plug wire-holder thread into the water jacket of the block?

John -

That bolt goes into a blind hole - doesn't go into the water jacket.

[John F.]

Re: 62 Right Rear Freeze plug install

Thanks for the responses. Laying on your back under the car you get a little bass ackwards. It is the forward freeze plug and I layed under there to see for sure where water was coming from. Just seeping out of the freeze plug. Tried banging on one end or the other and can't get enough lip to pop out to get ahold of. Can you drive a big screwdriver through it and pry it out. I have the new one from O'Reilleys in the freezer waiting to go in. I gave up for tonight. Will get back at it in the next day or two.

[John F.]

Re: 62 Right Rear Freeze plug install

Thanks for the responses. Laying on your back under the car you get a little bass ackwards. It is the forward freeze plug and I layed under there to see for sure where water was coming from. Just seeping out of the freeze plug. Tried banging on one end or the other and can't get enough lip to pop out to get ahold of. Can you drive a big screwdriver through it and pry it out. I have the new one from O'Reilleys in the freezer waiting to go in. I gave up for tonight. Will get back at it in the next day or two.

Finally got the old one out after driving it into the block by mistake but fishing it out with my fingers and pulling out with vise-grips. New one in the fridge then a little Permatex on the opening. Took a 1/2 inch drive 1x1/16 socket on the end of an extension and tapped it in carefully with a hammer. Water back in and all is fine. Thanks for all the ideas!

[Dennis C.]

Re: 62 Right Rear Freeze plug install

John,

Glad it worked out.

Regards,

Dennis