This afternoon my wife and I went for a ride in the Plymouth, not far, about 15 miles all totaled.
A few minutes ago I had the hood open, expecting the old engine when I noticed this spot on the side of the engine.
It looks like a hot spot, but I am not sure.
Any ideas????????????
The car is running good, not using any oil, or running hot
Thanks,
Bob
Just before supper I started the Plymouth up to check out the block again, low and behold you could see the antifreeze seeping out of the side of the block.
Since it is a non pressurized system, will I be masking the problem if I clean the area up good and use something like J-B Weld to seal the area?
Quote from: Bob on May 11, 2007, 07:22:35 PM
Just before supper I started the Plymouth up to check out the block again, low and behold you could see the antifreeze seeping out of the side of the block.
Since it is a non pressurized system, will I be masking the problem if I clean the area up good and use something like J-B Weld to seal the area?
Core/freeze/welch plugs are available in any reasonable auto supply store. And if you have a little room to swing a hammer they are easy to install. So why not just fix it?
You can get the old plug out by driving a self-drilling, self tapping sheet metal screw in to the center of the plug leaving the head a little "proud" of the plug. Then use the claw on a carpenter's hammer to pry out the plug. Clean off the seat. Apply some sealer to the seat and put the new plug in place. Put a drift in the center of the new plug and hit the drift with a hammer to swage the plug in place.
P.S. Your block will be under pressure until your thermostat opens. And if you rev the engine when it is cold you can get a fair amount of pressure. Accelerating onto I-80 in Auburn, California (down hill ramp on to freeway) with the engine cold taught me that lesson.
Sodium silicate can be used in older automobiles to seal leaks in the cooling system. A jar of "liquid glass" is poured into the radiator and allowed to circulate. Minutes holes and gaps are sealed, often curing radiator leaks and faulty cylinder-head gaskets. This approach is often used by disreputable used-car salespersons.
Many years ago i owned a very tired 33 chevy, the car ran great, but leaked coolant from ever pore. I tried ever concoction known by man, black pepper, red pepper, corn meal, what have you. It was said my car smelled like breakfast coming down the road. My new brother in law,a "gypo"? log truck driver, offered some advice from his experience of keeping old wore out trucks working in the woods. WATER GLASS, get the cooling system as clean as possible and poor in a qt. of water glass.
Back then I had no idea what this stuff was, but it worked. From your picture it looks to me like its a crack in the water jacket rather than the freeze plug. Bad news! seiing it, brought back memories of my old Chevy, so I googled water glass and got some info, see above. Note that back in the early 50s I allso didn't know about Google! Anyway Sodium Silicate is still available on line, and might be worth a try. those old back yard mechanics,farmers, and truckers had some tricks. Good luck!!