Steve Favia
Well-Known Member
I would think you could use any of the freeze plugs right? Block heater would probably be better than oil pan heater like Delmer said.
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580k winter starts
- Thread starter Johnnymc
- Start date
Willie B
Senior Member
Your diesel needs to compress heat into a smaller space to raise temperature above ignition.
Heating oil, I suppose makes it flow easier, but modern oil, it isn't a big problem.
heating the cylinders is a big factor. A block heater is best. Intake air heaters are OK. Glow plugs are great, but use up precious battery power.
Heating oil, I suppose makes it flow easier, but modern oil, it isn't a big problem.
heating the cylinders is a big factor. A block heater is best. Intake air heaters are OK. Glow plugs are great, but use up precious battery power.
Johnnymc
Well-Known Member
Wow, ok that's what I needed. Something even a dummy could understand. Honestly I wasn't sure if that was the freeze plug or not. How am I going to get that out ! Thank you Jmil, Tinkerer, and Jweir Willie B, Alrman, coal dust, Delmer and Steve Favia and anyone else. It took a whole village of mechanics to teach me something lol, I'm even more of a beginner than I thought.. How does a tank style work ? I really think I should go with the block heater because that sounds best. Do I need any certain tools to make it possible to get that plug out ? Could I possibly get it part way out or screw it up so I can't run the machine ?
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Swetz
Senior Member
Johnnymc, I looked on line for a video of the replacement of a freeze plug and found a lot of junk. The one I attached should give you the idea...skip to the larger ones. I usually pull them out with a pair of vice-grips. Make sure you sand the hole nice and clean, and install the heater...usually the element is pointing up...NOTE: Do not plug the heater in until the cooling system has been purged. The element will melt down with no coolant around it, if plugged in.
Willie B
Senior Member
Oh, and do switch to 10W30 oil in winter.
Steve Favia
Well-Known Member
I don’t change oil weight for the winter once you get you’re block heater in you’ll be good.The experts will chime in on getting the freeze plug out I know how I’d do it,but the real experts will tell you the right way,this forum has really helped me out,great people on here! always offering great advise which I really appreciate!
Johnnymc
Well-Known Member
Ok ! If it's really as simple the video, I can do that. What about the fact it's a 31 year old engine . It would be nice if it will pivot on center like the one in the video. I'm probably going to need some more advice, but I should be able to do that. I think I'll get a heater before I start. Is there one I can order online that you guys recomend or do I need to buy locally ? How does it secure to the block without threads ? Actually I thought freeze plugs had threads and just the middle pushed out, duh. That's why I didn't think those two big obvious things on the side of the engine were plugs, duh again. Thanks guys.
s.mil
Member
Take a look at the catalogue from Kat's Heaters. It has lots of information on installation. I've never used their product, but they popped up on a web search.
Swetz
Senior Member
The heater has an o-ring that seals in the hole left by removing the plus...that is why I said sand it nice and clean. There is a bar on the back side that has a screw on the outside. As you tighten the screw, the bar locks the plug in. Be sure to drain the coolant prior to removing the plug, or you will get a nice bath. As far as it being old, it is not like a bolt that the threads could seize...these cups are just a press fit, and hitting one side will usually cause the plug to spin, at which point you can grab it to pull it out. Even if it fell in, you could use needle nosed plyers to get it back in the hole to be extracted.
Johnnymc
Well-Known Member
Ok excellent. It will probably be a few days until I get one and get at it. Will this thread still be available and you guys see it if I have questions or would I need to start a new one ?
mitch504
Senior Member
It, and us, will be right here.
Tinkerer
Senior Member
Well, technically they are expansion plugs. Those holes that they are in, are cast in the block when the mold is filled with molten metal.
Their purpose is to get the sand out of casting when it has cooled.
The skirt of the plugs are expanded so they fit tightly when driven into the holes.
I have seen blocks that cracked from the coolant freezing and rarely do the expansion (freeze) plugs pop out to prevent acrack in the water jacket.
Their purpose is to get the sand out of casting when it has cooled.
The skirt of the plugs are expanded so they fit tightly when driven into the holes.
I have seen blocks that cracked from the coolant freezing and rarely do the expansion (freeze) plugs pop out to prevent acrack in the water jacket.
Willie B
Senior Member
I can vouch for that. I know that due to a breakdown in communication between me & two sons. & it had to be a newly rebuilt 427 Chevy truck engine.
Johnnymc
Well-Known Member
Tinkerer I could see how the term expansion plug could be thought to mean the plug allowed ice to expand. That's what I thought. Now I know better ! I had no idea that they could be actually tapped out.