Topic: 289 Freeze Plugs aka Expansion Plugs

[67gtasanjose]

Primary focus of interest is on the 67 Model year and may cross over to other years...(move if needed)


Looking for decent replacement-type and or commonly used plugs. I HAD brass plugs in it for the prevention of rusting out but I will NOT be running the convectional coolant any longer as per recommendations in other threads so not the issues like in days of old.


OE maker ones not easy to find though if somebody has 6 or 10, I am all ears! I'd settle for similar in thickness and finish with minimal markings, so my request for a source is along those lines of thoughts.


Thanks

[Bob Gaines]

Primary focus of interest is on the 67 Model year and may cross over to other years...(move if needed)


Looking for decent replacement-type and or commonly used plugs. I HAD brass plugs in it for the prevention of rusting out but I will NOT be running the convectional coolant any longer as per recommendations in other threads so not the issues like in days of old.


OE maker ones not easy to find though if somebody has 6 or 10, I am all ears! I'd settle for similar in thickness and finish with minimal markings, so my request for a source is along those lines of thoughts.


Thanks

If you come up with brass ones with no markings then plate them silver. Minimal or no markings on the seen outside portion is the hardest aspect of finding aftermarket ones IMO.

[67gta289]

Bob, do they get painted?  If so how does the plating help?  Just curious since I'm a few weeks away from this myself.  Thanks

[67gtasanjose]

Bob, do they get painted?  If so how does the plating help?  Just curious since I'm a few weeks away from this myself.  Thanks

Not Bob, but "MP" (inside a diamond) I believe was the original maker's mark and the zinc plating is partially visible on a "factory correct" engine color spray-pattern, meaning you can make out shadows showing through of the plating of the freeze plug, more noticeable (generally speaking) when viewed from below the car.

[Bob Gaines]

Bob, do they get painted?  If so how does the plating help?  Just curious since I'm a few weeks away from this myself.  Thanks

The typical Ford produced engine block had varying degrees of paint coverage on the block. For instance it is typical for the freeze plugs to not be completely painted. Edges and or even the partial center my be left unpainted depending on the spray pattern. With that said you would not want to see a non Ford brass colored freeze plug surface shade. As has been mentioned MP inside the diamond shape is the typical Ford built engine freeze plug during the 65-69 years from what I have seen. Some times the mark is stamped on the front visible side and other times it is stamped on the unseen when installed backside. A freeze plug with no markings visible could vary likely be a original. So if a brass freeze plug can be found with no markings on the visible side then simply plate it silver if you plan on leaving some edges or center visible like many original paint engine blocks had them. 

[67gta289]

Good discussion thanks for both replies

[67gtasanjose]

I'd suggest smooth brass plugs too (plated silver as Bob mentioned) unless you plan to run Evans Waterless Coolant as I do. I knocked out the brass ones in my block and probably will on the heads too when they come home from the machine shop. I have a full block set of "Pioneer" steel plugs on the way, will see them tomorrow.


One previous post discussing Evans if another reader is interested, I believe there are more:
http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=9448.msg55576#msg55576

[midlife]

Just curious...what's wrong with brass freeze plugs and Evans waterless coolant?

[CharlesTurner]

Ford Racing M-6026-A302 Plug/Dowel Kit

[67gtasanjose]

Just curious...what's wrong with brass freeze plugs and Evans waterless coolant?

Nothing
Since Evans doesn't have issues with corrosion, steel expansion plugs won't have the issues of rusting out so brass plugs become an 'extra measure' of sorts. Old habits are hard to break, I love using brass plugs.

[67gtasanjose]

Ford Racing M-6026-A302 Plug/Dowel Kit

Thanks, they look good in photo's that are out there, it looks like no markings on the expansion plugs.

Are the 1/8" pipe thread plugs assemblyline-correct too? The ones in my block look different and perhaps mine have been changed so any info on the external 1/8" pipe thread coolant drain plugs would be a great bonus to this thread.

[J_Speegle]

Are the 1/8" pipe thread plugs assemblyline-correct too?

No

Though have used that style on a number of rebuilds for the oil passage plugs at the rear of the block.

[67gtasanjose]

No

Though have used that style on a number of rebuilds for the oil passage plugs at the rear of the block.

What would we be searching for instead?

[J_Speegle]

What would we be searching for instead?

Could not find a clear picture of the rear of a 67-68 small block in my files but I can offer the same from a 66 NOS engine shown below

[67gtasanjose]

Great! That's what I removed.