I have the MTFCA engine book and it is quite informative on how to install freeze plugs.
But how does one safely remove the original ones?
Steve -- I drill a hole in them and use a fat drift to "pop" them out. Usually they are very thin and it takes little force to remove them. I always use brass ones to replace them, so they won't rust through.
Drill a hole in the center stick a phillips screwdriver in the hole and pry it out. (That's all their good for according to H.F.) Should come out easily. Their thin.
Deja-vu all over again.
Thanks. I thought perhaps that was the way to do it but thought it best to ask first.
Hammer and a straight slot screwdriver.
Why not do as mechanics have done for 100 years?
Pound a hole in them with a foot long pointed bar and pry them out.
Five seconds each.
Now for all the lame brains that want to tell me how wrong that is and that it breaks the block 100% of the time...don't bother.
I was using Permatex #1 to seal the new ones in but then I started using #3.
I am now back to using #1, the quick hardening stuff.
You can also use RTV or The Right Stuff. Or nothing.
To install easily set the core plug in the hole and hold the ball of aball-peen hammer against the center on the core plug (freeze plug).
Hit the flat hammer part of the ball peen hammer with a 3 lb. hammer a couple of good whacks.
Then put 3 or 4 small dents around between the large one in the center and the edge.
If you don't use brass core plugs you may have to do it again in 100 years. Maybe not.
In one car club I belong to there is a retired teacher that is a pretty fair mechanic.
He has everyone, except me, drilling and tapping two 1/4 inch holes on opposite sides of the plugs and bolting a piece of 1/4 inch flat iron across the core plugs so they can't pop out.
I've seen 'em with holes rusted through 'em, but never saw one that had fallen out. Don't think I will either.
An' if you want to be cool, make 3 buffalo nickels concave using a ball peen hammer, appropriate sized socket and another hammer to strike the ball peen. Clean the 3 freeze plug holes out real good and slam home these indian head nickels. Then you can point to them while on a tour as an early freeze plug repair. Should be able to buy these early nickels cheaper than the freeze plugs.
three freeze plugs(nickels) in my wifes 26 Tudor, never leaks, did RTV after a good clean, then in they went, try starting with 4 or 5 nickels, you may mess one or two up !!!!!