Frost Plug Question...

[Lighthorseman]

One of the frost plugs in my 383 fell out or disintegrated or something - and I was wondering if I can just replace it "in situ", rather than having to pull the motor out of the car, and even worse, tear the engine apart to fix this. I can get at the plug hole, so can I just tap a new one in?

The frost plug that fell out came from the passenger side lower block - just above the oilpan. Hope someone can help.

Thanks!

 

[MercuryDon]

They just pound in. I use a socket 1/8 in smaller than the inside of the cup to keep the socket from getting stuck. I also put permatex 3H aircraft sealer on the edges before installing. Also if one is bad I would check the others. I recomend the brass plugs as they do not rust !

 

[Lighthorseman]

Perfect! Thank you!

 

[greenmonsta79]

I had to interject, Frost/Freeze plugs are actually core plugs, the holes in the block were results of the casting of the engine block they had to get the sand out of the water jacket cavity so the holes were cast there to get the sand (that made the water jackets) out! And they were just plugged! over the years people had the concept that they were there so when the block froze they popped out and saved the motor (had a guy tell me this once and I just laughed!) So they are technically CORE plug! and I usually use a 1/2 drive wobble extension with a 1/2 drive socket that fits snug inside the plug and re-install, pretty easy SOME can be a pain in tight spots, Matco tools sell core plug install tool that actually attaches to a air hammer and has a swivel end to make them a real cinch to install.