The Ford Barn

Bruce_MO · 05-01-2018, 01:07 PM

My '52 F-1 has the OHV 215 ci six cylinder motor, and the freeze plug at the back of the cylinder head is weeping. There's maybe 4 inches of clearance between the back of the head and the firewall, and removal of the floor pan over the transmission inside the cab won't give a clear shot at removal or installation of a new plug from the back side.

Any ideas on how to remove and replace it? I hate to have to pull the head to do this. Your suggestions are appreciated!

tubman · 05-01-2018, 01:16 PM

A good cleaning and JB Weld?

Ggmac · 05-01-2018, 02:16 PM

Do they still make the rubber freeze plugs that expand when the nut is tightened ? If it's thick enough and you can find the rubber expanding type , it can usually be installed over the weeping plug and tightened . I've not used on a 6 but have on many ohv v-8s .

cmbrucew · 05-01-2018, 04:18 PM

I have used a hole saw in the firewall. After installation of freeze plug, use a caplug to fill the hole.
Bruce

Bruce_MO · 05-02-2018, 12:22 PM

I was hoping to do a permanent job with installation of a new plug, and was hoping there's a simple trick or technique, like some stubby porta-power piston that could press in a new plug, or some means of a jack screw off the firewall without cutting a hole. If I can't figure out something, JB Weld was my last resort.

I truly appreciate you guys taking the time to offer suggestions!

bobH · 05-02-2018, 03:58 PM

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As said by cmbrucew, above, back in the day, the customer would usually let us make an access hole in the firewall. They were just old used cars, and the inexpensive fix was often preferred. And, it was often the case that the old plug was NOT removed, but simply pushed into whatever it was in. In this case, a 1/2 inch hole in the firewall, allowing a punch to be aimed at the plug, tap the plug into the head, install a new plug, done. Probably makes no difference if the new plug is brass, or one of those expandable rubber plugs. Just opinion...

For the record, I'm working on an old heap now that has some of those rubber expandable plugs in it. The plugs are OLD and HARD. They are a real bitch to get out.

Alaska Jim · 05-02-2018, 04:35 PM

Anything short of pulling the head is just a Band-Aid. pull the head and fix it right. if there are any other freeze plugs on the head , replace them also. drilling a hole in the firewall can be done, but then , you have a hole in the firewall, sure you can plug it , but it will devalue the care a small bit in my opinion. the last time I had a '52 ford with the 215 six was in 1969, so I am a little fuzzy on details, but pulling the head fixing the plug, and putting it back together, used to be just an afternoon job when I was younger.

Karl Wolf · 05-02-2018, 10:46 PM

I'm with Jim, pull the head.
If you do it the tricky way you'll always wonder if it will hold.
I've been in the position that you are.
BUT it was a customers car.
I got a new one in, it was difficult.
It was possible to hit it on an angle from the side and bottom.
Yuck.

Karl

05-01-2018, 01:07 PM	#1
Bruce_MO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 433	'52 216 6 cyl freeze plug problem My '52 F-1 has the OHV 215 ci six cylinder motor, and the freeze plug at the back of the cylinder head is weeping. There's maybe 4 inches of clearance between the back of the head and the firewall, and removal of the floor pan over the transmission inside the cab won't give a clear shot at removal or installation of a new plug from the back side. Any ideas on how to remove and replace it? I hate to have to pull the head to do this. Your suggestions are appreciated!

05-01-2018, 01:16 PM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: '52 216 6 cyl freeze plug problem A good cleaning and JB Weld?

05-01-2018, 02:16 PM	#3
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,096	Re: '52 216 6 cyl freeze plug problem Do they still make the rubber freeze plugs that expand when the nut is tightened ? If it's thick enough and you can find the rubber expanding type , it can usually be installed over the weeping plug and tightened . I've not used on a 6 but have on many ohv v-8s .

05-01-2018, 04:18 PM	#4
cmbrucew Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North of sandy ago, CA. Posts: 2,064	Re: '52 216 6 cyl freeze plug problem I have used a hole saw in the firewall. After installation of freeze plug, use a caplug to fill the hole. Bruce __________________ Works good Lasts long time

05-02-2018, 12:22 PM	#5
Bruce_MO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 433	Re: '52 216 6 cyl freeze plug problem I was hoping to do a permanent job with installation of a new plug, and was hoping there's a simple trick or technique, like some stubby porta-power piston that could press in a new plug, or some means of a jack screw off the firewall without cutting a hole. If I can't figure out something, JB Weld was my last resort. I truly appreciate you guys taking the time to offer suggestions!

05-02-2018, 03:58 PM	#6
bobH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: so cal, placerville, vegas Posts: 1,394	Re: '52 216 6 cyl freeze plug problem Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) As said by cmbrucew, above, back in the day, the customer would usually let us make an access hole in the firewall. They were just old used cars, and the inexpensive fix was often preferred. And, it was often the case that the old plug was NOT removed, but simply pushed into whatever it was in. In this case, a 1/2 inch hole in the firewall, allowing a punch to be aimed at the plug, tap the plug into the head, install a new plug, done. Probably makes no difference if the new plug is brass, or one of those expandable rubber plugs. Just opinion... For the record, I'm working on an old heap now that has some of those rubber expandable plugs in it. The plugs are OLD and HARD. They are a real bitch to get out. Last edited by bobH; 05-02-2018 at 04:08 PM.

05-02-2018, 04:35 PM	#7
Alaska Jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 1,575	Re: '52 216 6 cyl freeze plug problem Anything short of pulling the head is just a Band-Aid. pull the head and fix it right. if there are any other freeze plugs on the head , replace them also. drilling a hole in the firewall can be done, but then , you have a hole in the firewall, sure you can plug it , but it will devalue the care a small bit in my opinion. the last time I had a '52 ford with the 215 six was in 1969, so I am a little fuzzy on details, but pulling the head fixing the plug, and putting it back together, used to be just an afternoon job when I was younger.

05-02-2018, 10:46 PM	#8
Karl Wolf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Valley,Ca. Posts: 1,509	Re: '52 216 6 cyl freeze plug problem I'm with Jim, pull the head. If you do it the tricky way you'll always wonder if it will hold. I've been in the position that you are. BUT it was a customers car. I got a new one in, it was difficult. It was possible to hit it on an angle from the side and bottom. Yuck. Karl