Freeze plug - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Low84 · 10-09-2008, 07:25 PM

When a freeze plug goes out on a motor, what does this usually mean? Reason I'm asking is a used motor I'm planning on buying needs one replaced.

By the way, we DON'T have cold weather down here. What else could it be. Block expanded/warped?

drbyrdman · 10-09-2008, 07:33 PM

you going to rebuild it? if so replace all of them.

Low84 · 10-09-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drbyrdman

you going to rebuild it? if so replace all of them.

I hope not! I'm not planning on it any time soon. But he did notify me about the freeze plug needing to be replaced and when I went to take a look at the engine, I noticed a lot of liquid (couldn't really make it out) on the crossmember lip. The engine is still in the other truck.

Low84 · 10-09-2008, 07:56 PM

I'm just scared to buy an engine that is on it's last leg, and honestly my budget would be wrecked if I had to rebuild a 454.

tvblazer78 · 10-09-2008, 08:23 PM

A freeze plug can be replaced with out rebuilding the motor, you will have to get a freeze plug kit then tap it in. You should be good to go after that...

Albatrossian · 10-09-2008, 08:25 PM

If they're not brass, they're usually steel.. they just rust to pieces. Not a problem.

Low84 · 10-09-2008, 08:36 PM

I can sleep easier tonight. Thanks a lot guys.

84 400 · 10-09-2008, 11:51 PM

yeah I have seen them drop out in the spring on a 500 big block caddy. they just rotted out (they where steel). I would look the block over very carefully. IT is more common then you think but would be a large concern to me.

Low84 · 10-10-2008, 12:29 AM

That's what was concerning me, that the block actually cracked for whatever reason and the freeze plug gave out at the same time.

JonnyTechMech · 10-10-2008, 12:36 AM

When I bought my GMC with a 305, it had set up for 4 years. I had to tap out and replace a corroded freeze plug behind the starter. I drove it for 5,000 more miles with no issues. But when the block froze, it didn’t pop one plug.

Low84 · 10-10-2008, 12:57 AM

Man! That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid. It's a nice built 454 for drag racing, but with all the mods it had a 13.2 sec pass seemed kind of off. It'd be nice to have a fast truck, but I can't afford to buy another engine down the road, I need something that'll last me a while. Thinking of just buying a short block 350 and building from there with all new parts and peace of mind.

84 400 · 10-10-2008, 02:01 AM

ahh a race motor....l hmm this seems off to me too. especially if it was recently built. The saver route is to build a 350 short block. But if it is a solid motor the 454 would defiantly be more fun. Do you have a friend that builds motors? might not hurt to have a very knowledgeable person look at it with you for a second opinion. If your seriously considering the motor might be a good idea to pull the pan as well and have a look. This is not always possible but it does not hurt to ask.

Low84 · 10-10-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84 400

ahh a race motor....l hmm this seems off to me too. especially if it was recently built. The saver route is to build a 350 short block. But if it is a solid motor the 454 would defiantly be more fun. Do you have a friend that builds motors? might not hurt to have a very knowledgeable person look at it with you for a second opinion. If your seriously considering the motor might be a good idea to pull the pan as well and have a look. This is not always possible but it does not hurt to ask.

I do, but I don't want to put him in that position (although I might just have to). He recently opened up his own performance shop and specializes in lsx swaps. Well the guy I'm planning on buying the 454 is selling it because he's taking the truck to my friend to get a 6.0.

Anyway, here is the pass of the motor in it's current home:

YouTube - lahyper

He did two passes before the track officials stopped him because of the leaking freeze plug. Don't know if it went out due to the run though.

Albatrossian · 10-10-2008, 07:20 AM

You could always do a compression check to check for cracks, too.

Low84 · 10-10-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albatrossian

You could always do a compression check to check for cracks, too.

That might just be the only other option. Thanks.

Vixvega · 10-10-2008, 07:59 PM

Wooden dowel and just a lesst han zero guide coat of blue loctite around the outside. Comp test on all cylinders and try to determine if it went from in or out side.

10-09-2008, 07:25 PM	#1
Low84 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Roma,TX Posts: 774	Freeze plug When a freeze plug goes out on a motor, what does this usually mean? Reason I'm asking is a used motor I'm planning on buying needs one replaced. By the way, we DON'T have cold weather down here. What else could it be. Block expanded/warped? __________________ 1978 stepside C10 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=468265

10-09-2008, 07:33 PM	#2
drbyrdman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 631	Re: Freeze plug you going to rebuild it? if so replace all of them.

10-09-2008, 07:56 PM	#4
Low84 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Roma,TX Posts: 774	Re: Freeze plug I'm just scared to buy an engine that is on it's last leg, and honestly my budget would be wrecked if I had to rebuild a 454. __________________ 1978 stepside C10 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=468265

10-09-2008, 08:23 PM	#5
tvblazer78 Low & Fast! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 3,110	Re: Freeze plug A freeze plug can be replaced with out rebuilding the motor, you will have to get a freeze plug kit then tap it in. You should be good to go after that... __________________ Southeastern Mini Truckin' Nationals April 27 and 28, 2012

10-09-2008, 08:25 PM	#6
Albatrossian Georgia Boy Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Douglas, Georgia Posts: 370	Re: Freeze plug If they're not brass, they're usually steel.. they just rust to pieces. Not a problem.

10-09-2008, 08:36 PM	#7
Low84 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Roma,TX Posts: 774	Re: Freeze plug I can sleep easier tonight. Thanks a lot guys. __________________ 1978 stepside C10 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=468265

10-09-2008, 11:51 PM	#8
84 400 Sb 400 club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NH / MA Posts: 2,746	Re: Freeze plug yeah I have seen them drop out in the spring on a 500 big block caddy. they just rotted out (they where steel). I would look the block over very carefully. IT is more common then you think but would be a large concern to me. __________________ 1984 chevy c10, built 400sb,.(SOLD) 77 K10 Project / daily driver "The Grinch" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318363 1956 Willys Wagon (327 chevy) Project (Now Buick 225) 1980 Corvette L-48 4 speed 1992 Mustang GT built 5.0 5 speed 1985 C10 LWB Sold 1982 K10 SWB plow truck Parted out 1986 D30 M1028 fire brush truck Parted out

10-10-2008, 12:29 AM	#9
Low84 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Roma,TX Posts: 774	Re: Freeze plug That's what was concerning me, that the block actually cracked for whatever reason and the freeze plug gave out at the same time. __________________ 1978 stepside C10 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=468265

10-10-2008, 12:36 AM	#10
JonnyTechMech STOP! Hamma time!!! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas TX. Posts: 145	Re: Freeze plug When I bought my GMC with a 305, it had set up for 4 years. I had to tap out and replace a corroded freeze plug behind the starter. I drove it for 5,000 more miles with no issues. But when the block froze, it didn’t pop one plug. __________________ Plan your work and work your plan!!!, or pitty da fool!! 87 GMC BaseTrim, 305 under the wrench/TH400/ 92 Chevy 1500, 350,TH700R4 sittin on dubs

10-10-2008, 12:57 AM	#11
Low84 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Roma,TX Posts: 774	Re: Freeze plug Man! That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid. It's a nice built 454 for drag racing, but with all the mods it had a 13.2 sec pass seemed kind of off. It'd be nice to have a fast truck, but I can't afford to buy another engine down the road, I need something that'll last me a while. Thinking of just buying a short block 350 and building from there with all new parts and peace of mind. __________________ 1978 stepside C10 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=468265

10-10-2008, 02:01 AM	#12
84 400 Sb 400 club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NH / MA Posts: 2,746	Re: Freeze plug ahh a race motor....l hmm this seems off to me too. especially if it was recently built. The saver route is to build a 350 short block. But if it is a solid motor the 454 would defiantly be more fun. Do you have a friend that builds motors? might not hurt to have a very knowledgeable person look at it with you for a second opinion. If your seriously considering the motor might be a good idea to pull the pan as well and have a look. This is not always possible but it does not hurt to ask. __________________ 1984 chevy c10, built 400sb,.(SOLD) 77 K10 Project / daily driver "The Grinch" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318363 1956 Willys Wagon (327 chevy) Project (Now Buick 225) 1980 Corvette L-48 4 speed 1992 Mustang GT built 5.0 5 speed 1985 C10 LWB Sold 1982 K10 SWB plow truck Parted out 1986 D30 M1028 fire brush truck Parted out

10-10-2008, 07:20 AM	#14
Albatrossian Georgia Boy Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Douglas, Georgia Posts: 370	Re: Freeze plug You could always do a compression check to check for cracks, too.

10-10-2008, 07:59 PM	#16
Vixvega Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fogelsville, Pa. Posts: 68	Re: Freeze plug Wooden dowel and just a lesst han zero guide coat of blue loctite around the outside. Comp test on all cylinders and try to determine if it went from in or out side.



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