I was refilling my mav to drive it a little this winter (normally I run water and royal purple water treatment as the local tracks don't like cars faster then 14.00 to have anti-freeze) I had the rad and passenger side of the block drained and had water to the top of the water pump outlet on the drivers side.(yes there is a drain plug on the drivers side but it's nearly impossible to use) As I was pouring in the water I could hear it sloshing onto the street in a fairly large stream and I'm thinking uhh ohhh... so I stopped filling it as it was dark and I wasn't going to make it to work with this problem. Came out today and didn't see any freeze plugs under the car started adding water again same pissing water sound so I know it wasn't me I jacked the car up and started looking (yes I used a jackstand...) while I was looking I saw the rear freeze plugs intact and no water.. all was good there then I moved up to the motormount and looked inside between the block and the mount and guess what I saw.... So now I get to pull the block to replace the freeze plug I'm hoping the blocks not cracked.. I hope your winters are fairing it a lot better then mine.
Is THAT what "freeze plugs" are for??? I never knew that. Sucks, hope it is nothing too serious. Also, why no antifreeze in cars under 14.00. Do faster cars have a higher tendency to blow out radiator hoses?
Nhra has asked them to start removing anti-freeze around here as it slows track cleanup and is slippery.. price you deal with when you don't live in the warm states..
Ouch .... Hope the block is OK. I know this won't make you feel better - but freeze plugs are a nick name - it is not there intended purpose. They are core hole plugs and are there to seal up the hole in the side of the block where the casting sand is removed from when the block is made. They are just a cheap way to seal these casting holes. Higher performance blocks used screw in plugs instead of the pressed in metal ones to prevent leaks on the track. They offer very limited freeze protection as physics dictates ice will expand in all directions equally, not just towards the softer core hole plug. Example - a case of bottle beer left outside to freeze. The bottles explode with glass flying in all directions instead of the soft bottle cap being pushed off. Sure some will have the bottle cap pushed off but many will explode. Living where I do where temps can get well below zero and stay that way for days - I have froze many things and have been amazed at the power of ice and what it will do.
yeah, drink the case of beer first and then see if you explode. btw, las vegas dosent let any cars with anti freeze at their track anymore???
well I hope the blocks fine I know that "freeze" plugs are core plugs and the screwin (boss 302 for you guys not in the know) are stronger and water expands in all directions so untill I lop the heads off and yank the block I wont know if I find that roller block i always wanted or have the block decked 0 and buy new pushrods... it's not all bad but it is a bummer
Another use for pantyhose,,, straining glass from Beer Ice! Just remember to remove glass chunks before giving them back to Momma! err,,,or whoever wears them! Hope all else is ok! Good Luck
