freeze plugs on an 87 302

[superdude144]

whats up guys?

i lost a freeze plug off the beast, and i was wondering what it would take to put a new one in in my garage, its behind the motor mount, so i know i'll have to lift the engine, but im wondering if i can just lift it a couple inches or if the whole thing has to come out? if i can lift it a few inches, what connections do i have to take apart? if im just replacing one should i go ahead and replace them all? i dont really want to but if i need to now is the perfect time to do it.and is there anything special i need to do to put it in or will it just go in with pressure? thanks for the help

 

[Broncobill78]

The stock freezeplugs are just a press fit (unless by some wild chance a previous owner rebuilt the engine & had the bores tapped for *****-ins but chances are you'd know if you had an engine like that /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> ). Run a smear of silicone around it and tap it in gently with a hammer & drift. To get at it unbolt both motor mounts as well as the transmission mount, jack the whole engine/tranny assembly up (watch the fan shroud) enough to remove the mount from the engine and get at the bore. After it's in reinstall the mount then lower the assembly & bolt everything back together. I just did this on an 88' last summer.

 

[Yardape]

a good quick easy fix that I usually do is install a block heater in the frost plug hole.

 

[Broncobill78]

a good quick easy fix that I usually do is install a block heater in the frost plug hole.

Well, maybe for the Maple sugar crowd, but for those of us living down in the orange groves............. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

My first Bronco was actually a Canadian truck, it had a *pair* of factory block heaters, one in each bank, factory dual batts, kilometer speedo, etc. Living in Massachusetts at the time it was a great truck, "built Ford tough" was more than just a slogan with that one, props to our brothers up North. Canadians *know* how to build a cold-weather truck. You didn't mention where you live but if you're North of the Mason-Dixon then YardApe has a good point.

 

[Yardape]

I meant just to plug the hole. They are easier to install in tight spots. I usually Bring one wheeling in my spare parts kit for a trail repair. I find them easier to install on the side of the highway then frost plugs.

 

[Broncobill78]

I meant just to plug the hole. They are easier to install in tight spots. I usually Bring one wheeling in my spare parts kit for a trail repair. I find them easier to install on the side of the highway then frost plugs.

Gosh, no offense intended, I hope it didn't come across that way.

On the other hand, what the **** kind of trail riding do you DO that makes bringing along spare *freeze plugs* a good idea /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Honestly though, I was just goofing. Your point about the block heater was well taken since I assume the heating element sticking thru the plug makes for a good lever to install it. I was just laughing over the fact that most guys in South Florida don't even know what a block heater is much less where to score one or why you'd want it.

 

[Yardape]

No you didnt come across that way at all. Basically I carry parts that have gone on me in the past. When your engine gets hot there is alot of pressure in the cooling system. I have always wheeled in old junkers, and more often than not the frost plugs were old and and on their way out. I have had quite a few fail on me out in the worst possible places. Now every single time I have a engine out of a vehicle it gets new frost plugs.

 

[Johnny Reb]

No you didnt come across that way at all. Basically I carry parts that have gone on me in the past. When your engine gets hot there is alot of pressure in the cooling system. I have always wheeled in old junkers, and more often than not the frost plugs were old and and on their way out. I have had quite a few fail on me out in the worst possible places. Now every single time I have a engine out of a vehicle it gets new frost plugs.

Hey yard tape, I am sure you have seen them rusted almost through or rusted through. I do the same thing as you when I rebuild a engine,but I put grease on the back and sides og the plug -hopeing it will help illiminate the rust some plus it helps going in and I have not had any problems with the.Knock on wood.Take care and have a safe return home.I carry a bunch of stuff when I am out in the boonies-------yes,blankets,food,**** I might have to get comfortable and make it home-hahahaha--I like it out their.

 

[superdude144]

hey, ive never pulled an engine out of a car before, ive worked on them in the car and out of the car but never pulled one. if im only lifting it a couple inches, what all do i need to take off and disconnect to lift it? and what do i attach the cherry picker to?

 

[Broncobill78]

To get at it unbolt both motor mounts as well as the transmission mount, jack the whole engine/tranny assembly up (watch the fan shroud) enough to remove the mount from the engine and get at the bore.

I usuallu remove the carb and attach the lifting chain to the carb base, another way to go is to remove a couple intake manifold bolts and attach the chain there instead or if the chain is long enough you can use header bolts, unused accessory holes in the heads or skip the lift alltogether & just jack it up from underneath with a floor jack.

 

[Johnny Reb]

hey, ive never pulled an engine out of a car before, ive worked on them in the car and out of the car but never pulled one. if im only lifting it a couple inches, what all do i need to take off and disconnect to lift it? and what do i attach the cherry picker to?

Hey Super dude, if you have NEVER done any mechaincal work and really want to learn. You have came to the right place. These guys will explain everything really easy and this place is very informative. If you live close to some of us. We just might drop ion and show you and help. I live in West Virginia . If you live close buy-let me know. Would be glad to help you out.

 

[madmax]

well he has an 87, so no carb there, but another easy easy way, go to your local farm supply store, there you can get a come-along and 3 or 4 replacement trailer chains, use the bolts that go through the lower intake manifold into the cylinder heads. Then find something sturdy to attach the come-along to, because the engine weighs about 500lbs, and since you've got the Eddie Bauer, probably the E4OD, and that weighs a ton too, so figure on at least 800lbs to lift. Floor jack under the engine, i have no idea if the oil pan an support that kinda weight without buckling, or risk of slippage. The harmonic balancer could do it no problem though, and you're jack could grab on to that easily. If you've already got a cherry picker, great, if not, they are not hard to build and save you a ton of effort, Me, I've got a few good strong trees I can attach a chain hoist to, and if I had the extra storage space, I'd build me a cherry picker.

 

[Broncobill78]

I wouldn't recommend trying to jack the engine up at the harmonic balancer, that would place a tremendous strain on the bearings. Not something I'd try. Jacking under the oil pan doesn't cause any problems, just did it with my 88' last summer when I changed the freeze plug out and I've done it in the past to change out broken engine mounts. The oil pan doesn't warp, buckle or leak.

 

[madmax]

I'm surprised the oil pan is that strong on them, as for damaging the bearings, you're so close to the front main bearing, I very highly doubt and damage would be done to the bearings, at least I've never seen it cause any problems, they undergo much more stress when the engine runs. The big risk is of the jack slipping, with nothing on the pan to grab, and his hands in between the engine and the front cross member, ( usually both hands at the same time too.

 

[Johnny Reb]

I'm surprised the oil pan is that strong on them, as for damaging the bearings, you're so close to the front main bearing, I very highly doubt and damage would be done to the bearings, at least I've never seen it cause any problems, they undergo much more stress when the engine runs. The big risk is of the jack slipping, with nothing on the pan to grab, and his hands in between the engine and the front cross member, ( usually both hands at the same time too.

The oil pan AND harmonic ballancer will both hold up. BEFORE putting any part of your body in harms way(and it only takes a split second for a accident (and we do sometimes get in a hurry and forget) . You will want to check to make sure everything is clear in behind the engine and in the front part of the engine-to make sure everything is clear. Where -ever you lift or jack the engine-before you put your hand between the motor and moto mount tower--be sure you have the motor supported -so the motor will not fall on your hand.