Re: [AMC-list] Aluminum 195.6 Freeze Plugs

[Davis Martin <martin-davis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

DAN,
 I have the exact same issue! I found 3 freeze plugs on the floor under my Grems 401. I havent put em back in yet to see if there is any damage,,,,,keeping my fingers crossed! Glad to hear it worked out fine for you.
Davis




________________________________
From: Daniel G. Ritzinger <danritz@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "AMC, Rambler, Nash, Jeep and family" <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Fri, March 12, 2010 7:27:11 PM
Subject: Re: [AMC-list] Aluminum 195.6 Freeze Plugs

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!)
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> AMC-list mailing list
>> AMC-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>> http://list.amc-list.com/listinfo.cgi/amc-list-amc-list.com
>> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> AMC-list mailing list
> AMC-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://list.amc-list.com/listinfo.cgi/amc-list-amc-list.com
> 

_______________________________________________
AMC-list mailing list
AMC-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://list.amc-list.com/listinfo.cgi/amc-list-amc-list.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://list.amc-list.com/pipermail/amc-list-amc-list.com/attachments/20100313/8b0389ab/attachment.htm>
_______________________________________________
AMC-list mailing list
AMC-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://list.amc-list.com/listinfo.cgi/amc-list-amc-list.com