freeze plug advise needed

Tony in Mass. · Apr 22, 2011

At one time, no one put anything on the edge of a new freeze plug, or plumber's putty, now there are 5 types of silicone. What do you guys do?

Dell (WA) · Apr 22, 2011

Tony.......iff'n you ever cleaned out the silicone left innna freeze plug lip, you'd shoot the silly conejo. Me? I just use a BIG socket upside-down to flatten out the dome. .......Dell

Goose · Apr 22, 2011

I put a THIN coat of silicone around the edge and tap it in with a socket that just fits inside the plug.

I've seen too many engines ruined by boneheads who slop everything full of silicone instead of using a proper gasket.

I once tore down a 3.0 Buick engine that was trashed because some idiot used so much silicone around the intake gasket that the coolant passages were obstructed.

And if anyone who reads this is addicted to silicone, if the shoe fits............

showcrop · Apr 22, 2011

I use a little green loctite.

BCnT · Apr 22, 2011

built and repaired many a engine over the years...always put em in dry and never had a leak.

Bob · Apr 22, 2011

DEFINITELY Loctite.

Ray · Apr 22, 2011

I always use permitex,silicone doesn't seal when it ages and deterioates with time.

RodinNS · Apr 22, 2011

I use a bit of the white high temp Loctite. I forget the number... but it's essentially a silicone.

Rod

Tony in Mass. · Apr 22, 2011

Wow, you guys got me flippin' a coin... I won't even mention whacking the middle with the round end of a ball peen hammer.... I think I will try one idea for each plug, think there are 7 of them including the cam shaft... thanks alot guys, and thanks for the quick replies!

36 Coupe · Apr 22, 2011

Tony, some silicones are corrosive. they cure with vinegar.I use Permatex.They are not freeze plugs,foundry uses the holes to dig out the sand cores.If freezing pops them the block will have cracks.Silicone is used for many things but I like the real thing.

Tony in Mass. · Apr 22, 2011

Wow, you guys got me flippin' a coin... I won't even mention whacking the middle with the round end of a ball peen hammer.... I think I will try one idea for each plug, think there are 7 of them including the cam shaft... thanks alot guys, and thanks for the quick replies!

Tony in Mass. · Apr 22, 2011

Now how did I double post like this? must be solar flares. I'll tell ya Mr, coupe, it did freeze, a few of them were popped or loose, but I had the block boiled and magnafluxed, and he said it was fine, the head has a crack, but not the block. I bought this MF35 with an already appart Standard diesel, but ya don't need to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out this dead mess. I have some permatex... someplace... btw, I should start a new post on my home made pipe tobacco, so I don't hyjack my own thread...

BushogPapa · Apr 22, 2011

After cleaning the plug area, I coat the entire edge and back side of the plug with non-hardening Permatex and drive it in..
Feel it helps seal and prevents future rust on the plug...

Ron.

Jon Hagen · Apr 22, 2011

I agree on the permatex, silicone is slippery and corrosive.

freeze plug advise needed

Tony in Mass.

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Dell (WA)

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Goose

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showcrop

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BCnT

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Bob

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Ray

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RodinNS

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Tony in Mass.

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36 Coupe

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Tony in Mass.

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Tony in Mass.

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BushogPapa

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Jon Hagen

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