3 freeze plugs leaking 73 CJ5

[dabbrowne]

Hello

I have a 1973 CJ5 with a V8. When I bought it the PO said they had rebuilt the motor. It now has 7K miles on it and it looks like 3 of the freeze plugs are leaking (see pictures).

Any advice on how to replace these with the lease amount of blood and $$ would be great.

Also any ideas on why all three would begin to leak.

Thank you

 

[Torxhead]

Replacing freeze plugs is a piece of cake, providing you can get at them. Use a punch to knock in one side and the other side will come out. Pull it out with pliers and knock in another one with a socket. If you can't get at them there is a freeze plug cap that will cover it. There is probably a Youtube video on it.

 

[hdgapeach]

Like Torxhead stated, tap in on one side and the other will rotate out to meet you.

Use a big enough socket to evenly distribute whatever force you use to press / tap / beat the new one in. I've always used a sealant on the edges of the ones I've installed. Helps prevent leaks, especially if you don't get the thing in there just right. If you ever have the opportunity to install core plugs with the engine out of the vehicle, consider modifying to the screw in plugs.

Oh, by the way, "freeze" plug is more or less a slang term. They're actually core plugs that are necessary as part of the casting procedure when pouring the molten metal in the sand cast. Gotta get the sand core out somehow. If you ever have them pop out because of freezing and that's the only "damage" to the block, you'd be one lucky dude!

 

[dabbrowne]

Thank you, Here is the next issue. I thought I had a AMC 304 V8 however the side of the block has a large 360. And when I went to buy the freeze/core plugs the ones for the AMC 360 are 1.5" however these plugs that are leaking are 1". My motor has 1.5" plugs in the front and lower on the block on the sides.

Maybe these freeze/core plugs are called something else by the spark plugs.

 

[dabbrowne]

Ok I determined that I do have an 1976 AMC 360. The freeze plugs are about 1 inch in dia.

 

[hdgapeach]

If you actually purchase new ones over the counter (rather than online), take one of the old ones with you so the "parts" dude can size match what he pulls off the shelf. You never can tell what they'll give you sometimes.