[AT] Freeze plugs

[szabelski at wildblue.net]

You’re following the basic method of installing a freeze plug. The hole in the block needs to be clean with no pits, the plug needs to be smooth around it’s entire surface with no apparent flat spots.

Clean the hole until it’s shiny, look for any rust pits and burrs. Don’t sand/file/scrape too much since you could open up the hole a little, or make it out of round. The hole should have a small chamfer to it.

Most people put a sealant (your choice) around the hole and then insert the plug, some put the sealant on the plug and then put it in the hole. I prefer do do both, the rational being that if you put it only on the block, you may actually wipe most or all of it off as the plug is driven in. Make sure that whatever you use can take the heat of a hot engine.

The plug should be driven flush with the block surface using a socket or other device that fits snuggly in the plug. Using something too small can result in putting a small dimple in the plug (depending on how hard you hit it) and that may pull the rim of the plug in, making for a poor fit. Driving it in too far will result in the rim of the plug being deformed and making poor contact with the block.

Before you drive the plug in make sure it’s sitting square in the hole. Set it in by hand if you can and check that it looks pretty square. Then start to drive it in, don’t try to drive it in with one big hit. Start to tap it in and keep checking that it’s going in square. If you notice that the plug winds up not flush all the way around the hole after you drive it in, tap the high edge lightly with a hammer until the edge is flush. Another option is to place a flat piece of metal stock (larger than the plug) over the plug and drive the plug in until the metal stock sits flush on the block.

Carl
----- Original Message -----
From: Spencer Yost <spencer at rdfarms.com>
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
Sent: Thu, 07 Nov 2019 22:09:56 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [AT] Freeze plugs

So lining up the list of things I need to work on this winter. I may have mentioned the throttle linkage on my Ford, but that turned out to be a very minor thing. So that is off the list.

However a new freeze plug is in order for the John Deere 430V. One of the freeze plugs on the engine showed evidence of leaking in the past, but was not leaking when I got it.  

After putting it through its paces this year raking hay and what not it is now leaking. I must admit I do not have a 100% success rate with freeze plug installation.  

My procedure is to make sure the bore is clean with a little bit of Emery cloth and then I put copper head gasket sealant around the outside edge of the freeze plug. I then press using the a socket or something that will find purchase on the very outer rim of the freeze plug. This procedure works virtually all of the time but have had a couple seep. 

What is everyone else’s procedure?

Spencer

Sent from my iPhone
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