Re: [AMC-list] Aluminum 195.6 Freeze Plugs

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Just a little nit to pick here!! Those are Welch plugs or core plugs, NOT "freeze plugs", though that's what they are commonly called. They ARE NOT to protect the block from freezing. They plug the holes used to pour molten steel or aluminum into the mold for the block (or head). 

I don't know how the term "freeze plug" came into being, but it's firmly entrenched into automotive lore more than "Ramblers were made from parts bought from other US car makers". Some lucky guy went out and found one or two popped out when his engine froze, I guess, or people were just guessing to begin with. I have YET to see ANY auto maker's technical literature refer to one as a "freeze plug", nor any engineering papers. It's an "old mechanic's tale", and if the plugs popped out and the block wasn't damaged due to freezing you're one lucky SOB!! 

--------------
Date: 12 Mar 2010 07:46:15 -0000
From: das24rules@xxxxxxxxx

wow, im not sure what the screws are for. my freeze plugs look like the day
they were new. i wasnt going to bother with new ones. i saw that feebay add,
and thought about it for like 1 second, (till i saw it was only 1) and
decided to pass. the car this came out of only had 15k on it. appeared to be
draind before parked. it would be nice to have NEW ones availible. yes, they
are friggin HUGE. i havent measured them, but probbly over 2". real close if
not. i guess maybe it needs to be for the cold climates (like where i live
where it is -20 regularly in the winter, 5 days in a row this winter) to make
that the weakest point with all that aluminum. 

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
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http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
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