Re: [AMC-list] Aluminum 195.6 Freeze Plugs

["Daniel G. Ritzinger" <danritz@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Several years ago, when I went to my storage shed in April to pull out my 
Javelin after it's winter hibernation, I noticed two items laying on the 
shed floor under the engine.  Turns out they were two frost plugs that had 
been pushed out of the block when the water in my 401 froze.  As I recall, I 
had drained the radiator the previous autumn, but not the block.  I had just 
flushed the engine late that autumn, so did not mix in any anti-freeze as I 
planned on draining the system for the winter.  Lesson learned; drain the 
block.  Luckily, I was able to install two new frost plugs without pulling 
or having to jack up the engine, though the one behind the headers was 
something of a pain!

So, dunno if that's how the plugs were designed to function, but they saved 
my ass.  No other damage, just the two blown plugs.

Dan


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Ames" <ameskg@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "AMC, Rambler, Nash, Jeep and family" <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 7:26 PM
Subject: Re: [AMC-list] Aluminum 195.6 Freeze Plugs


> The plugs would have to be right at the top of the block to pop when 
> freezing,
> and they aren't. But then the top of the block is stronger than part way 
> down
> the block so they just MIGHT let some the water out before the stress got 
> to be
> too much.
>
>
> Ken
>
>
> Quoting 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)
> > For all AMC enthusiasts
> > http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
> > (free download available!)
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > http://list.amc-list.com/listinfo.cgi/amc-list-amc-list.com
>
>
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