Freeze Plugs

[Dick Steinkamp]

A couple of the freeze plugs on my '60 wagon (259) are weeping.

What's the best way to pop the old ones out and put in the new ones?

What size are they (so I can pick them up ahead of time).

These would be the old style freeze plugs (not the cup type).

Thanks!


Dick Steinkamp
Bellingham, WA

[JDP]

Suggestion: Don't try to replace with the factory style in the car. Use the Dorman brass, expandable jobs. They expand with the turn of a wrench and last forever.


JDP
Arnold Md.
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[bams50]

I just punch it in towards an edge till it twists in, then grab the protruding edge with vise-grips and pull it out.

Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1

[41 Frank]

Dick I usually use what us mechanics call a pinch bar or other instrument with a sharp point to puncture the center of the offending frost plug and after getting yourself cleaned up from the antifreeze bath you got <g> then pry it out, I think the dish type frostplugs are 1 1/2" but if no one else replies I can go and check the parts book.

[41 Frank]

Parts book says 1 1/2" Dick

[Roscomacaw]

Robert - your way would work with later Stude V8s as they used the cup type plugs. Earlier car's have the disc type and the holes for them have an inner lip for the edge of that disc to seat against. You'd take a chunk out of the block if you tried to make the disc spin from it's edge!
I just drive a pointed tool thru the center with a hammer and then twist it out. I DO like the two-piece copper ones with the acorn nut to tighten them. They're carried by Dorman but I don't know the Dorman number for them.
I've also used the rubber expando type and will say that they go in easy too and will seal and hold alright. But after having them in an engine for a few years and then removing one - it was ugly-lookin'. Not that it leaked, but the rubber part was all gnarly-lookin'. Didn't look like it was a long-term fix.

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[bams50]

Huh; learned something new today![8D]

My way should still work with the disc though; I put my chisel on the flat area; just off center so it'll flip an egde out.

Another point: I've read about sludge, crap, and even casting sand in large amounts clogging the water jacket... so don't forget to pull them all and clean it all out with a coat hanger and water pressure!

Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1

[Dick Steinkamp]

Thanks, guys. I'll pick up a couple of the Dorman plugs this morning and knock out the old ones.


Dick Steinkamp
Bellingham, WA

[Dick Steinkamp]

Here's the plugs I picked up today. I believe this is what JP was talking about...






Dick Steinkamp
Bellingham, WA

[Roscomacaw]

Yup! I've got one sitting here right next to the keyboard. I just didn't get around to taking and posting a photo.[B)] Of course, now I don't have to!

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[gordr]

quote:Originally posted by bams50

Huh; learned something new today![8D]

My way should still work with the disc though; I put my chisel on the flat area; just off center so it'll flip an egde out.

Another point: I've read about sludge, crap, and even casting sand in large amounts clogging the water jacket... so don't forget to pull them all and clean it all out with a coat hanger and water pressure!

Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1

Robert, I'd respectfully suggest that you NOT try to remove the disc-type frost plugs that way. They set up against a ledge in the hole. Hammer hard enough near the edge of the disc, and you MIGHT knock the ledge off the inside of the hole, making it nearly impossible to seal a new plug in there.

Either use a pointed tool to pierce the plug and pry it out as Biggs suggests, or if the plug is old and thin, you can simply hammer in the center of it with a blunt punch and turn it inside-out, and it fall out on its own.

Those Dorman plugs look really nice. I haven't had to use them yet, but I think I'm going to order a few and keep one or two in each vehicle I drive. If a frost plug fails on the road, you could fix it on the spot with simple hand tools.

Even the rubber expandable plugs would work in that situation.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[CHAMP]

Those copper plugs would look good if you polished them up.

GARY H 2DR.SEDAN 48 STUDEBAKER CHAMPION NORTHEAST MD.

[bams50]

Makes sense, Gord; just the type of thing I come here hoping to learn!! [^]

Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1