Tips for Removing Cylinder Head Core Plugs?

[Eddie]

Atop the '55 259 V-8 head casting are (2 per head) 3/4 or 1-inch NPT-threaded pipe plugs, inset with what looks to be a 3/8" square.

Those guys are in there; I've burnt up a large cylinder of propane, been dousing 'em for month with penetrating fluid, used lots of bad words in two or three languages, bent a 3/8"-drive bar, and blown up a Craftsman rachet so far.

And advice?

Just out of curiosity, if I do wind up drilling these guys out, how far below the bottom of the plug do I have before I drill head casting metal (the kind I don't wanna hit?)

Thanx, Eddie

[Alan]

Need some pics, never seen anything like what you are talking about in 50 years.

[allstateguy]

if those are like the ones in SB F@rd heads, they DON'T come out, they just LOOK like they will . . .

Reviving an early Lark

[Mike Van Veghten]

I've also never seen anything like this in a Stude head.

E-mail me a picture.

Mike

[Tom Bredehoft]

Between the first and last pair of cyls, inboard of the middle row of head bolts. They are very probably cast in core holes for the removal of sand from the finished casting. They are then drilled, tapped, and plugged. No reason to remove them unless you wish to really clean the coolant passages.

[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 510 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[Dwain G.]

I think those plugs only exist in 1951-54 heads for 232 engines. Can you find some numbers above the center exhaust port?


Dwain G.

[Tom Bredehoft]

The heads on my 55 are pretty rusted but the numbers definitely end with 876. Engine No. P13822. I can't find them on Bob Johnson's Head number page.

[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 510 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[Mike Van Veghten]

Eddie -

You don't need to remove them anyway..
A complete and proper job of cleaning the heads without removing them.
Acid dip and shot peen. That's how my heads are done....very clean, new looking.

Mike

[64V-K7]

The heads on my 55 Pres are 1537555, just it says on the page for 55-61.....

Bob Johnstone

http://www.studebaker-info.org

55 President State Sedan
64 GT Hawk
70 Avanti (R3)

[Eddie]

Cast-in part number atop center exhaust port is 535876, (goin' by [gasp] memory[:0], here) listed in the various serial number charts as a '55 head.

When I wasn't able to get the plugs out, I fingered it was karmic force telling me, in fine Zen fashion, not to remove those things; besides, the heads need those things in place when they go to hospital to be pressure-tested. That, and I know all about those fake SBF plugs...I couldn't get them out, either.

I'll put up some pics just as soon as I can find my digital camera. "Not me" has it, don't ya know.

Me: "So, who hid my camera?"
Not me (my Teenager): "Not Me."

Eddie