Block heater woes, Tips for Freeze Plug install

[the vegenator]

On filling my system with coolant for the first time, I got a steady stream of coolant from around the block heater. The heater came with the block.... I left it there because it was solid brass and looked like a tight fit, but once I got it out I realized the o-ring was shot.

I cleaned up the walls of the hole and I put a known working block heater in its place (with new o-rings). Refilled the system and got an even bigger leak out the hole...

I measured the diameter of both block heaters - the brass heater had a larger diameter than the newer one. Are there different sized freeze plug holes on these blocks? Surely not... but either way, I'm planning to drive a freeze plug into the hole, and not even mess with a heater.

I have a steel freeze plug on order from O'Reilly... Curious if any sealants would be recommended, and if the install is as easy as driving it in with a large socket and hammer.

I'm so close... this is such a silly snag!

[mtran]

If it`s me NO sealants only O ring -hidraulic?
Sealant can make mess in cooling don`t ask how I know,and you have to put a LOT.

[the vegenator]

I bought a steel freeze plug. Different sources (internet and friends) recommend using red locktite (thread locker) on contact areas of freeze plug. It's liquid-based (not silicone) so whatever drips into water jacket will get dilluted (right?).

Also heard putting the freeze out plug in the freezer and heating the block with a propane torch will allow the plug to go in easier... when both contact areas return to normal temperature they will be locked in tight.

I haven't taken a stab at this yet... should make some progress tonight, I hope.

[DanHoug]

just as an aside, thread locking compounds are isocyanurates... forms of super glue. they require moisture to cure and contact with free water immediately changes their state from liquid to solid, but this is not a graceful cure and ruins their bonding properties.

-dan

[the vegenator]

I drove the plug in with some red loctite, but waited a bit to fill the system with coolant. Not sure if I waited long enough, but all's I know is that dang plug ain't leakin!

Btw, installing a freeze plug when the engine is already in place is no fun at all. Ended up using my hand-held sledge directly on the plug - not enough room for a socket to drive it in as well as the hammer.

[demon]

I added a block heater to mine at freeze plug cyl. #1. The original didn't have any sealant on it. I followed the directions with the kit and mine fit perfectly (from NAPA).

If installing the freeze plug, I would have just put on a thin layer of RTV sealant.

Yes, working on the rear of these motors can be a real bitch. Thankfully, I installed my blockheater when I had my car on a lift. Sooo much easier!