need some more help with freeze plugs

[69rangerf100]

ok so i pulled this info from another one of my threads that got taken over by my piston question. what size are the freeze plugs for the FE 390 is it 1 48/64 or its 1 49/64?

other question is how do i remove the old plugs to put the new plugs in?

[fordman]

1 49/64th.
you pound a screwdriver through them once and then pry them out. mine just spun inthe hole so i took soem pliers and pulled them the rest of the way out. to put them back in you want a sealer aroudn the edges. i used form a gasket number 1. you can also use indian head gasket sealer. it about the same stuff. the sealer should be a water sealer. it should seal up water passages. i have read silicone works. once you put the sealer on you take a socket the same size around as the plug and use the socket and a hammer to tap the plugs back in the holes. nice and evenly and dont go past where the old one sit now. you can look at them before you take them otu to know your depth of the new ones.

[Dragon]

1-49/64s
48/64s would be 3/4s so that would be called 1-3/4.

They can be real fun they are behind the motor mounts the starter and other places. Punch a hole in one side and pry it out at towards you using the block edge as your leverage point.

[69rangerf100]

i should have mentioned that the block is completely striped down and out of the truck on a stand

[ToughOldFord]

That helps a little.

[Dragon]

I have banged them in and pulled them out with pliers. I have mostly poked a hole in it and twisted them out.

[DuckRyder]

I have banged them in and pulled them out with pliers. I have mostly poked a hole in it and twisted them out.

And putting them in you can use a seal driver or a socket that fits pretty tightly inside the core plug. Some people like to put sealer around them, although if properly sized and the surfaces are clean it should not be required.

[70_F100]

Get the holes clean, you don't need sealer. I've replaced hundreds of freeze plugs throughout my career, and I've never had one leak.

[bb429power]

Use an air hammer with a screwdriver like or tapered end and put the end on the inside of the outer rim, then pull them out with channel locks.

[Hawkrod]

Just one important thing to add, do not use a socket or anything that fits tightly in the cup to install it. If you do you may not get it out easily and at worst you may actually crack the block. The cups are designed to compress slightly to allow for retention and many inexperienced people have discovered that the cup compressed enough to hold onto the installation device permanently. Find a socket that fits tight and then use the next size down! Hawkrod

[Dragon]

With the engine out I use a piece of Hard Wood over them and whack it with a large hammer. I have always felt that if you really really never want one liquid or gas to mix with some other liquid or gas use a sealant.

[DuckRyder]

Hawkrod (as usual) makes an excellent point, I probably used a poor choice of words.

You want whatever you use as a driver to be close enough to the diameter so that it doesn't try to deform the plug, but it definitely should not be a "tight fit", to put a measurement to it something like a space of 1/16-1/8th around the socket to the core plug is probably about right on a plug this size...

If you measure the hole in the block and the edge of the plug you can get an idea of what space will be available when installed.