Why would freeze plugs need replaced?

[crazeetxn]

Back a few months ago, my son's 327 bit the big one...

He's been looking for a replacement and came across a 305 that the guy says he pulled to replace it with a 350. Says it runs good but needs two freeze plugs replaced.

Why in the heck would they need replaced? May be something minor, but I just haven't heard of it when someones trying to sell a block.

He's only asking a couple hundred dollars which is in my son's budget

Thanks for any info!

[whiskeydented]

Could've been running straight water in the engine and the plugs are rotting out.
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[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Don't know if this is true or not but I heard over time if they can be eaten away by old coolant along with some of the chemicals that shops use in coolant flushes.

[75chev4x4]

Maybe they didn't get sealed well enough when the motor was built or they just started to leak over time. Could also be that they ran straight water in the cooling system and it froze and popped the plugs loose but I don't think its as likley. For a few hundred if it looks in good shape might not be a bad deal.

[crazeetxn]

Guess all that makes sense. If they ran straight water from around here that would make sense. Already had to replace the radiator in my truck cause of the water. This is some of the hardest water around here.

I'll give it a once over and see what's up.

[406 Q-ship]

Steel factory soft core plug will rust out in a vehicle with a neglected cooling system.

[faribran]

Sounds like cheap insurance, will be much easier to change them prior to installing engine. You might consider using the brass ones.
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[J Knight]

I had a freeze plug rot out of my 91 Chevy with only 95,000 miles. It was the one behind the drivers side motor mount, had to pull the motor to replace and took the advantage of resealing the whole motor while it was out.

[86c20]

up here in rust land i have seen them rot out form bad coolent and water and the salt on the roads dont help either. but the brass is the way to go. only seen a few that where pushed out do to freezing.

[crazeetxn]

Thanks for the info ya'll. Guess I was worried for nothin. Just never seen anyone say that the engine is good, but they needed to be replaced. If he ends up getting it, we'll definately go with the brass ones.

Reckon if that's the only thing wrong with it, should be a no brainer

[74 stepside]

Every engine I build or rebuild gets new brass freeze plugs. For the simple fact that they dont cost much and are easy to install. Pease of mind goes a long way.

[rusty76]

I had three on my 400 leak. Finally got tired of fixing them and in the process of rebuilding the motor. I heard that (don't know if there is any truth to this) flow around the freeze plugs may be plugged or sluggish causing build up of sedament and such cause them to eventually to rust out. Mine were always in the middle of the plug. Original motor with 200,000 plus miles on it.