Freeze Plug Size?

[Rennat]

searched for a bit, evened asked an "old guy" :biglaugh:

what size are most of the freeze plugs in the block? my machine shop installed 40mm in most of the big holes, but i read threads like this...

http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52533&highlight=freeze+plugs (post 16)

and i get worried, according to him his 40mm plugs blew out!
my plugs are 40mm and have a really sticky adhesive around them that the shop put in, block is still on the stand and im debating just punching one or two out to check for the right size. BUT if somebody around here knows the 100% truth, then i'll listen to them... :1zhelp:

 

[BJ91T]

I had 40's in my block its also on the stand still aswell...

 

[Rennat]

found threads saying...

40.8mm
AND
40mm....

wtf? lol i guess i'll just wait it out or just go punch one out... but i would really hate to do that for nothing...

 

[Zumtizzle]

Did you use an emory cloth to clean the bores?

I think in the thread you posted he ended up going 40.8 because of improper installation.

 

[Rennat]

Did you use an emory cloth to clean the bores?

I think in the thread you posted he ended up going 40.8 because of improper installation.

yeah, even IJ said that it depends on the installation...

my machine shop installed them, so im assuming that they cleaned, wiped shit away, and then put the sealer on, then went BAM and shoved the freeze plug in...(with very "special" tools im sure)

and napaonline lists 40mm only...

 

[jdub]

If they are Dorman plugs, they are about 5-7 thou small.

I had two Dorman plugs blow
They are a royal PITA to re-install with the motor in the car...I will only use Toyota plugs now.

 

[Rennat]

If they are Dorman plugs, they are about 5-7 thou small.

I had two Dorman plugs blow
They are a royal PITA to re-install with the motor in the car...I will only use Toyota plugs now.

what are dorman plugs? i just know that they are 40mm brass plugs with some crazy sticky stuff around it! haha... they said that they usually sell most of the parts such as freeze plugs to napa and other auto parts store... so yeah... im guessing yours ended up being the 40.8?

might go to yota to order one freeze plug to measure :sarcasm:

 

[BJ91T]

What is proper installation per say? I have always cleaned the hole down to bare metal with some scotch brite then installed the new plug with a large deep socket and a rubber mallet.

 

[Rennat]

What is proper installation per say? I have always cleaned the hole down to bare metal with some scotch brite then installed the new plug with a large deep socket and a rubber mallet.

i used a big flat piece of metal on my friends engine to bash them in, and i did it "dry" with no gasket maker, and his are holding up perfect. even on 20psi! shits crazy fast... but his fuel pump cuts out! hahaha

i believe 'proper' is when you clean the hole, get the plug, put gasket sealer around the plug, then either use a large socket, or a special tool for freeze plug installation, and then SMASH it in with as few hits as possible.

 

[Zumtizzle]

Dorman is a brand.

The thread you posted he ordered Dorman 40.8. I guess to make up for the few thou.

 

[IJ.]

Ok my "guess" is it's actually 40mm nominal and the 40.8 is the "Crush" size.

 

[Rennat]

Ok my "guess" is it's actually 40mm nominal and the 40.8 is the "Crush" size.

which means what exactly?

 

[IJ.]

Which means if you buy a new 40mm plug and measure the closed end it'll be close to 40mm but the open end will be 40.8mm

 

[s turbo 87]

I'm about to buy freeze plugs for my engine as well. Anyone know what they run from toyota? how bout those dorman's? Are oem plugs brass? Just how many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop? Thanks!

 

[Rennat]

when i went to my toyota dealer they wanted like $8 a plug or something like that?... it was a crazy amount IMO.

and about the licks... no clue, go find a hooker!

 

[jdub]

OEM plugs are not that expensive at Champion Toyota...they are steel with a brass color coating. Locations at rear and both sides of the block for 10 total (7 large, 3 small iirc). Like I said, after my experience with Dorman, there is no way I'll go cheap here again. When one of these blow, ALL of your coolant is gone in a very short period. I got lucky and was at slow speed and smelled it...the gauge show nothing...if I had been on the highway, the head would have heated up enough to anneal it.

One thing to pay attention to is the plug hole on the exhaust side, right behind the water pump. The block sealing surface is recessed a bit more on this one...you want to make sure the plug is in deep enough.

 

[Kckazdude]

Toyota or Clevite are the only brands you want to install. Dorman brand are made smaller for the DIY crowd that dont have the tools (including mentality) to install them properly.
Carquest and NAPA carry Clevite brand freeze plugs. Autozone and Advance carry Dorman.

 

[Rennat]

so theoretically, if a machine shop installs them, then they are the right plugs?

at least thats what im getting from your statement...

 

[IJ.]

As I said in PM it's more about how they're installed, too many small hits removes the crush fit needed to hold them in.

 

[jdub]

so theoretically, if a machine shop installs them, then they are the right plugs?

at least thats what im getting from your statement...

Machine shop installed mine...not gonna happen next time