Re: Engine Block Freeze Plugs Steel or Brass?
[Re: vinnyd76]
#1980702
12/31/15 11:03 PM
12/31/15 11:03 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889 up yours
Supercuda
About to go away
|
About to go away
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
|
Brass doesn't rust out like steel ones do.
They say there are no such thing as a stupid question. They say there is always the exception that proves the rule. Don't be the exception.
|
|
|
Re: Engine Block Freeze Plugs Steel or Brass?
[Re: Supercuda]
#1980908
01/01/16 04:26 AM
01/01/16 04:26 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
dogdays
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
|
I'd pick brass. The steel ones last about 20 years, and I have installed a bunch of them on budget engines. However the holes are really not for freezing, they are there to let the core sand out of the block after it is cast. But you probably knew that.
R.
Last edited by dogdays; 01/01/16 04:30 AM.
|
|
|
Re: Engine Block Freeze Plugs Steel or Brass?
[Re: vinnyd76]
#1980981
01/01/16 12:37 PM
01/01/16 12:37 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,076 Niles , Ohio
therocks
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
|
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,076
Niles , Ohio
|
I agree brass.Steel is ok but brass will last better.Rocky
Chrysler Firepower
|
|
|
Re: Engine Block Freeze Plugs Steel or Brass?
[Re: vinnyd76]
#1985145
01/06/16 08:57 PM
01/06/16 08:57 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 406 California City, CA
dart440
mopar
|
mopar
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 406
California City, CA
|
The only advantage steel freeze plugs have over brass is slightly better holding power as steel is not as soft as brass (tension holds them in place better), which is one of the reasons why the factory used them (as well as cheaper cost). Brass will not rust out. With a hardening sealer, brass will never blow out either. Brass is the way to go!!!
When you work on Spaceships for a living, how bad can a workday be?
|
|
|
Re: Engine Block Freeze Plugs Steel or Brass?
[Re: vinnyd76]
#1985825
01/07/16 08:29 PM
01/07/16 08:29 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 406 California City, CA
dart440
mopar
|
mopar
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 406
California City, CA
|
Never had a brass one leak or fall out in all the engines I've built or replaced freeze plugs in...a steel one will rust and leak before a properly installed brass one will leak.
When you work on Spaceships for a living, how bad can a workday be?
|
|
|
Re: Engine Block Freeze Plugs Steel or Brass?
[Re: vinnyd76]
#1985833
01/07/16 08:39 PM
01/07/16 08:39 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356 Kentucky
dfsmopars
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
|
Had brass in a small block now for five years with street/strip use and many miles of touring and no issues.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring ‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
|
|
|
Re: Engine Block Freeze Plugs Steel or Brass?
[Re: vinnyd76]
#1985868
01/07/16 09:48 PM
01/07/16 09:48 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6,257 gulfport, ms, west mi
rowin4
master
|
master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6,257
gulfport, ms, west mi
|
As stated above the brass will not rust out but most hear that they won't hold in the block tight , leak or pop out. Proper installation is the answer. Most guy's use the easy method by inserting a socket into the center cup and then pounding it in. This method pulls the sides of the cup in reducing wall tension needed to hold the freeze plug in. Proper way is smear some sealant around the outer freeze plug and tap the outer rim to insert it flush with the block. There might even be a proper tool .
it's ok to butt heads, just don't do it with a butthead
|
|
|
Re: Engine Block Freeze Plugs Steel or Brass?
[Re: vinnyd76]
#1986003
01/08/16 12:57 AM
01/08/16 12:57 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889 up yours
Supercuda
About to go away
|
About to go away
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
|
If you think the zinc will last you'll be sadly mistaken.
Pretty sure the factory plugs were zinc plated too.
If you are really worried about a brass plug blowing out then put a retaining strap across the plug, just like they used to do back in the day.
They say there are no such thing as a stupid question. They say there is always the exception that proves the rule. Don't be the exception.
|
|
|
Re: Engine Block Freeze Plugs Steel or Brass?
[Re: Supercuda]
#1986137
01/08/16 05:04 AM
01/08/16 05:04 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
|
Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
|
If you are really worried about a brass plug blowing out then put a retaining strap across the plug Agreed, just be carefull not to drill your mini holes for the retainer strap holes all the way thru the core plug bosses. Clean the holes. Permatex #1. brass plugs with deep sides (for more contact area). not sure if there are 2 different "thicknesses" of em like the SB Dorman steel ones I'v e dealt with but just a caveat. Dorman told me that they are selling the thin (steel) ones now. tighten the straps down till they securely contact the plug edges so drive em in just the right amt. Overkill maybe but needed on the stock car
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
|
|
|
|
|