[77GP]

I let my racecar motor freeze and it cracked the block about 8". People haev said to put some kind or repair stuff in it but anyone used stuff like that with success?? If so what kinds. Its not by any means a high dollar car. Just a fun thing. Dont want to spend much on it. A buddy has given me another motor but really dont have time to mess with it.

[ChrisTransAm78]

I bet the internals of the motor are all moved about - only way to tell would be to tear it down - but to me that aint worth the time...had the same thing happen to me when I was 17...no fun!

[RAIV55]

Originally Posted by ChrisTransAm78

I bet the internals of the motor are all moved about - only way to tell would be to tear it down - but to me that aint worth the time...had the same thing happen to me when I was 17...no fun!

I agree. The crack is not the total extent of the damage on most frozen castings. Every spring we get several boat engines in with broken blocks. Unless they are ultra rare, we almost never repair 'em.

[M Bay]

I agree a cracked block is not worth repairing unless it is not replaceable. I thought that is why they put freeze out plugs in the block. Am I hearing that freeze out plugs don’t really work.

[ChrisTransAm78]

hah they don't work - mine split so far out I could grab the smooth sides of the block with the cracks.

[Lloyd-TX]

"Freeze" plug is truly is misnomer.

Correct term is "core" plug. It's there simply to allow the casting sand to be removed from the block after the casting process, no more.

I have NEVER seen a core plug displaced by ice. Only RUST!

[P@blo]

I guess they should be called rust plugs then . And I bought into the whole frost plug concept but reading posts of cracked blocks caused by freezing coolant would suggest differently.

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by P@blo

I guess they should be called rust plugs then . And I bought into the whole frost plug concept but reading posts of cracked blocks caused by freezing coolant would suggest differently.

Yep, being on the Gulf Coast we don't see many freeze cracked blocks, I'll wager that those in the colder climes do though.

Core plugs are a GREAT profit center for my repair shop!

Truly an example of "pay me now or pay me later". Most people simply refuse to properly maintain their cooling systems, and when core plugs rot out it can be some kind of work (read $$$$$$$$$$$$$) to get at 'em! Good for us, bad for the customer.

[Shadowjack]

People in the cold places have learned to use antifreeze, except maybe in the race car that sits out back 8^).

[Robert C.]

Freeze plug holes are not for keep a block from cracking. They are call casting sand boss holes. They hold the internal cores in the casting process. Were there is a hole ,there is sand in the casting process. It is just a plug that may or may not push out when water is frozen.

Your block can be welded if the crack is on the outside wall. I have done many blocks and are still running today. Look it over and find a good welder in you area.

[Bad Karma]

My father lost a freeze plug in own of our old cars. I think it was a ford falcon or dodge arrow. Any one remeber the arrow? Anyway here in ct back in the 70's there was some cold spell and it pushed the plug out. the block was fine. Maybe its one in a million huh?

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

77GP : Bondo works best

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Is it a 4 cyl or a V8 ? What part of it cracked ? Water going in oil ? On ground - or both ?