Freeze Plug ?

[ThaDyce17]

I need to replace a freeze plug on my 3.4 Camaro. It's the 1 behind the block so they say I have to drop the Tranny. Im curious tho is there anyway to just have it lowered and be able to get to the plugs without completely taking it down? Also is there anyway for me to hammer freeze plugs into the back of the block from the bottom of the car or will the screw in rubber ones work okay?

[cam98aro]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

you have to remove the trans, clutch/torque converter, and flywheel/flexplate to change them.

i wouldnt use rubber ones, get some brass ones

[ssms5411]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

The rubber ones are more of a temp. solution. I used brass and alm. ones, just need the right socket to tap them in.

[ThaDyce17]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

So the Tranny has to drop but what do u mean by socket? Do U need any special tools for this

[cam98aro]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

So the Tranny has to drop but what do u mean by socket? Do U need any special tools for this

when you install the new freeze plug you use a socket that is a tab bit smaller than the plug so you can hit it in place

to remove the old ones, just get a flat blade screwdriver and smack it with a hammer until it goes into the plug then pry it out

[ThaDyce17]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

Just a quick question first is it possible for me to do all of this from under the car with the tranny out? and 2 could I just use a regular hammer and be done with it?

[cam98aro]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

Just a quick question first is it possible for me to do all of this from under the car with the tranny out? and 2 could I just use a regular hammer and be done with it?

yes, you need to take the trans and the flywheel off in order to change them.

the only real way to get them out is to punch them out, the way i found that is easiest is to get a screwdriver and smack it with a hammer so it pierces the freeze plug, then pry the plug out.

the only good way to put them back in is to use a socket (or anything that is a tad bit smaller than the freeze plug) and use that as a drive to get the new plug back in.

you could also use a block of wood, but you need to make sure that the plug goes fully in

[ThaDyce17]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

Okay that makes perfect sense... Now when Im tapping the plug in how do I know that it is in fully?.... It won't go back anymore?

[cam98aro]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

Okay that makes perfect sense... Now when Im tapping the plug in how do I know that it is in fully?.... It won't go back anymore?

there is a ridge on it, it will just stop, dont beat on it too hard though

[ThaDyce17]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

So im thinkin because all the water in my cooling system froze up one day and im thinkin thats what pushed my freeze plug out. But if the plug got pushed out wouldn't that mean that all of them were getting pushed out and that one happened to pop first? So the other ones that im sure were starting to pop out can they be popped back into place or do they need replacing?...... Or is that untrue in itself, and that one just popped and the others are fine?

[Slowside]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

If you have the tools do it yourself. But first off realize that your cooling liquid should never freeze for the most part it means that you put a lot of water in your system. And water is bad because it boils at 212.

[cam98aro]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

So im thinkin because all the water in my cooling system froze up one day and im thinkin thats what pushed my freeze plug out. But if the plug got pushed out wouldn't that mean that all of them were getting pushed out and that one happened to pop first? So the other ones that im sure were starting to pop out can they be popped back into place or do they need replacing?...... Or is that untrue in itself, and that one just popped and the others are fine?

its possible that only one pushed out, but i would still check all of them.

i personally would replace all of them, they only cost like $13 for a set

If you have the tools do it yourself. But first off realize that your cooling liquid should never freeze for the most part it means that you put a lot of water in your system. And water is bad because it boils at 212.

using only water in a cooling system is not bad, and water does not boil at 212F under pressure.

the boiling point of water is affected by many things, there is no real set temp it will boil.. i can boil water if it is 33F if i wanted to.

water is actually better than antifreeze to use in a cooling system because it can transfer heat better, but the downfalls of it is it will boil over at a lower temp, it will freeze at a higher temp, and antifreeze provides great corrosion protection.

[ThaDyce17]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

Now when im banging them in aren't they supposed to be flush with the block?

[cam98aro]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

Now when im banging them in aren't they supposed to be flush with the block?

pretty much, sometimes they sit a bit further down though

[Rob Bell]

Re: Freeze Plug ?

I realize this is an old thread, but I remembered this from when it was current, so now that I had to go through this, I thought I would share my freeze plug replacement experience for future reference. This was my winter beater, luckily. The plug started leaking because of age (20 years old) and corrosion. I tried the screwdriver and prying method, and it would not budge. What i ended up doing was taking a torch to it and heating it until it was red hot, then using a ball end of a ball peen hammer to pound it until it popped out. It went into the block, but it was not a big deal. The cylinder wall is right behind there so it didn't go far. I locked a pair of vice grips on it and used them as a lever to force it out of the block. Then I used some fine grit sandpaper and a little brake cleaner to clean up the bore. The new freeze plug went in using the socket and tapping it repeatedly until it was flush with the block. Contrary to some writeups I read on the Net, no sealant was required as it's a very tight fit. Not one drop has leaked since.

Luckily this particular plug was right in the front on a FWD car, so it was easy to access, althought it was still a little tight getting it out. Basically, if you can remove the old plug, there will be enough room to get the new one in. My only concern is that if this one failed, the others are not far behind.