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Topic: Freeze Plugs???

in Forum: C3 Engines

Freeze Plugs???

Posted: 4/15/09 12:50pm Message 11 of 17
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Chicago, IL - USA
Joined: 11/30/2007
Posts: 37
Vette(s): 1976 L48 T-top, Automatic, ps,pb,a/c, Everything stock. Good car in great shape.
Thanks for all the responses.  I will have to soak up some of the fluid with a towel and take it in to get it looked at.  I'm not exactly sure what color it was...it wasn't a dark color, so I'm not thinking oil...good to know that it's probably not the freeze plugs...either way, I think I need to have the engine looked at.

Thx!



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Freeze Plugs???

Posted: 4/15/09 1:27pm Message 12 of 17
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
Nice looking Vette Monte!  I bet your engine is ok. 


Freeze Plugs???

Posted: 4/15/09 5:18pm Message 13 of 17
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Dutchess County, NY - USA
Joined: 8/27/2007
Posts: 2484
Vette(s): White '79 Corvette. It's a driver.
Hey Monte,
I had a similar experience to mkapp7879 with the heater hoses on my '79 this past winter. A quick and easy fix!
I also had a very small leak from my trans. or power steering during the winter. Little drips of red fluid.
With the occasional drive and warmer temperatures I'm not showing any more leaks.
I'm going to let it go for now & concentrate on other more pressing needs.
Let us know how you do with yours.
Kevin
 
P.S. Nice 'Vette!
 



Freeze Plugs???

Posted: 4/15/09 6:49pm Message 14 of 17
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North Charleston, SC - USA
Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176
Vette(s): 1975 L48 AT AC T-top
[QUOTE=corvette440hp]

Actually the term freeze plug is a misnomer. They are casting plugs, and have nothing to do with protecting the engine from freezing. They are located on the side of the block just below where the heads contact the block. There is a total of four. Two per side. The front two are behind the motor mounting brackets. They are also called expansion plugs.

[/QUOTE]

Every piece of literature that I have indicates that these plugs are for freeze protection. If freeze protection is not the reason for their existence, what is? I look forward to the replies.

Thanks,

Scott



Freeze Plugs???

Posted: 4/15/09 7:11pm Message 15 of 17
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
They are in fact casting ports containing plugs.   The casting ports are for manufacturing process.  I is much easier, in fact possible, to make the engine block castings with them.
 
However, once cast there are several types of plugs that could be used.  The plugs are expansion plugs.  Two reasons for this name.  One, they are a bit bigger than the hole they go into, andwhen installed try to expand in the hole, keeping them tightly in place.  Two, the friction required to keep them is place is limited.   They are in fact, freeze plugs.  When the coolant in the engine freezes, it expands.  It is mostly water at that point.  Water expands when it freezes.  If it had nowhere to go, the resulting pressure can crack the engine block casting.  Instead, the plug is forced out of position, and allows the ice to go somewhere without causing damage.
 
I have had more than one vehicle come into the shop with a frozen engine and the plugs forced out.  A few times they have still been hanging on the ice formed in a shaft from the block.
 
Casting ports for assembly....Yes
Expansion plugs to fill the casting holes....Yes
Freeze plugs to protect the casting......Yes
 
So call them what you like.  It depends on who is naming them. 
All of the above are accurate.



Freeze Plugs???

Posted: 4/16/09 11:50am Message 16 of 17
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Joined: 7/2/2006
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Ken, THANKS again for your EXPERT clarification. This place without You, Joel and Larry (VetteSpecialties)...just wouldn't be the same.Clap corvette440hp2009-04-16 14:44:36


corvette440hp

Freeze Plugs???

Posted: 4/16/09 1:40pm Message 17 of 17
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North Charleston, SC - USA
Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176
Vette(s): 1975 L48 AT AC T-top
Thanks for the brilliant explanation Ken. Folks like you and Joel are the reason I am a LIFER.


Scott



in Forum: C3 Engines


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