Freeze Plugs???

Thx!

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!

 

 

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.