core plugs again

[Ray Stewart]

Just read tomnoller's post and replies. I am working on a 57 SH 289, engine is back from the shop with new freeze plugs, mounted on the frame, and exhaust is installed. Filled radiator and did the 20 minute brake-in running (very pleased with the sound of the engine) only to find all the freeze plugs seeping slightly. No leak when engine is off...just when running. Examined the steel plugs (now that I have read the forum entries and got educated on core plugs)and they simply have a "goose egg" knocked into them. Can I now take a socket extention or something with a flat surface and flatten out the concave in order to try and get them to seal per Studerich). I can see that the machine shop did use a permatex type sealer on them. I know I will need to drop the exhaust system & starter to get to them all. May even need to raise theengine a bit.
THANKS to one and all. Over the past year I have had several questions answered and found many answers searching the forum.
MERRY CHRISTMAS

Ray Stewart SDC
51 pick-up
57 silver hawk
62 lark

[Chucks Stude]

Are they cup type, or flat? If the flat type, use the back side of a pretty good sized socket and put the extension in backward, to get them to seal. Cup type, you might have a problem. On mine, the holes are egg shaped (slightly)and only the rubber ones work in the car. Will have to wait untill next year to take the engine out, and do it the right way.

[Ray Stewart]

They are the flat type.

Ray Stewart SDC
51 pick-up
57 silver hawk
62 lark

[Flashback]

If you can get to them put a small ball pein hammer
against the center of the freeze plug (ball against
plug) and hit with another large hammer, brass if you
have it, is safer. Always works for me.

Tex E. Grier

[jackb]

remove the plugs and re-seal with a good permatex or equivalent. Then reinstall and drive home as above with fresh sealer. Otherwise expect more seapage forever.....unless you are very lucky...what does jimjim say: do it right the 1st time...

[Lothar]

I agree with Jack. If they are concave (bowed in) the machine shop pushed them too far. They will seep until you (or they) replace them.

1950 Champion 4 Dr.
Holdrege NE

[StudeRich]

That's interesting, when you say they are "goose egged" and you want to tap them in more, I have to assume that they are convex, bulging OUT!

That sounds like they Permatexed them, and just "dropped" them in! [xx(]

That is how they look off the shelf, so they would have made very little if any, effort to tighten (flatten) them to properly install and seal them! [:0] [:0]

If you do the right (difficult) thing, and replace them, get the rustproof kind...BRASS! [^]

StudeRich

[Chucks Stude]

Can you send a picture, and clear all this up.

[studebakerkid]

At least you just have it installed on the frame because you better pull the trans and flywheel cuz they probably put that plug in wrong too.

If you car is ugly then it better be fast.....

65 2dr sedan
64 2dr sedan (Pinkie)
61 V8 Tcab
61 Tcab 20R powered
55 Commander Wagon
54 Champion Wagon
46 Gibson Model A
50 JD MC

[StudeRich]

quote:Originally posted by studebakerkid

At least you just have it installed on the frame because you better pull the trans and flywheel cuz they probably put that plug in wrong too.

There are no "wet with coolant" core plugs in the rear of the engine, so if your oil pressure is strong, and no oil is leaking at the rear, it should be fine. [^]

StudeRich

[Ray Stewart]

Update. The freeze plugs look like #1539038 page 167 SI and they are convex (studerich was correct...they are not concave) and they were installed bowed out (properly) and then hit with a ball-peen hammer (the dent from the hammer was refered to as "goose egg"). After reading some prior forum posts I thought I would try to flatten out the plugs a bit (back of a socket) and try that first...there is a lot of the convex (bow out)still there. I will figure out the posting pictures. I have taken pictures during the restoration process and plan to post sort of a step-by-step.

Ray Stewart SDC
51 pick-up
57 silver hawk
62 lark