What's it take for freeze plugs to pop?

[FordTruck]

I pulled my 302 out to put my new trans on and its been sitting in the truck without a radiator or coolant and oil for porbably about a mouth now. I was just wondering we've been having some cold weather here in MO and what kind of temps would it take to pop a freeze plug?

[ToughOldFord]

When water freezes it expands. The freeze plugs are supposed to pop out of the block to relieve the pressure created by the expanding water thereby saving you a cracked block. As long as the engine has healthy coolant, (not straight water), or no fluid at all then you're okay.

[mlheppl]

You probably drained enough water out of the engine when you pulled it to avaoid any problems with popping the freeze plugs. If you were running straight water, you could pour a little RV antifreeze into the motor to make sure you don't have any problems. Just make sure to drain it all out before you re-install the motor.

[FordTruck]

Ok then it should be ok.

Before I pulled it it had a full radiator of anti-freeze so there should still be some in the motor. I'm hoping before long to have everything hooked back up on the motor.

[fordman]

your probably ok. i have never had a freeze pop though. it has always just cracked the block instead.

[ToughOldFord]

your probably ok. i have never had a freeze pop though. it has always just cracked the block instead.

That's so you don't ruin any freeze plugs!

Sorry, your luck sounds like mine there Fordman, and you have to either cry or laugh about it. Most people around me don't know what's so funny......

[fordman]

well since the last tiem it happened. i have either drained the systems completely or had the correct antifreeze mix and not that horse cheese 50/50 either.

[70_F100]

your probably ok. i have never had a freeze pop though. it has always just cracked the block instead.

That's because they aren't really meant to handle a freezing situation.

The proper name for the hole they are in is "Core Hole", and the plug is an "expansion" plug.

The holes they are in are there to enable the sand from the casting to be removed.

The expansion plugs are there to plug the holes, not designed for anything else.

Over the years, they became known as "freeze plugs" because sometimes, when an engine would freeze, they would pop out, but not always.

[Ranchero50]

Yep, it's great, straight Prestone at walley world is $10.50, 50/50 is $8.50 a gallon and yep they have pallet of premix and only one section of the good stuff.

Jamie

[cdeal28078]

your probably ok. i have never had a freeze pop though. it has always just cracked the block instead.

That's because they aren't really meant to handle a freezing situation.

The proper name for the hole they are in is "Core Hole", and the plug is an "expansion" plug.

The holes they are in are there to enable the sand from the casting to be removed.

The expansion plugs are there to plug the holes, not designed for anything else.

Over the years, they became known as "freeze plugs" because sometimes, when an engine would freeze, they would pop out, but not always.

Glad somebody spoke up about that. I was taught that is was to let the sand out and not a freeze plug. I always try to call them a core plug. They do sometimes fail when an engine freezes up
clint