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Brass Expansion plugs for 440 heads

zyzzyx

zyzzyx

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Just spent a few hours trying to find Brass freeze plugs for my heads.
Found them at two places, 440 Source and O'reilly's auto parts. Dorman
part numbers are: 565-018 for the 1" plugs and 565-024 for the 1-1/4".
They had to order them, but it's the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way to go.
$1.65and $1.99 each. Pulled mine out because I'm porting my 906's, and glad
I did! The steel plugs were just about ready to start leaking. Don't know what
kind of temper tantrum I would have had if that had happened!
 
That's cheap insurance! I typically use brass freeze plugs on the block and steel in the heads. 440'
 
Make sure the head plugs are properly sized. About 15 years ago when I had the engine out to repaint the bay and freshen it up, the guy that let me use his garage helped with reassembly and installed the expansion plugs in the heads. After everything was repainted, back in, connected, etc., I was filling it with coolant and heard liquid hitting the floor. Where was it coming from? Yep, the plug at the driver's side rear at the firewall. With about 3" space that meant taking the intake and head back off again just to replace it with a tighter fitting plug. I was so pissed I had the head off, replaced plug, and reassembled everything ready to run again in a few hours. Never again.
 
Yeah, when you want it done right, You have to do it yourself! Gulp!
 
zyzzyx said:
Just spent a few hours trying to find Brass freeze plugs for my heads.
Found them at two places, 440 Source and O'reilly's auto parts. Dorman
part numbers are: 565-018 for the 1" plugs and 565-024 for the 1-1/4".
They had to order them, but it's the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way to go.
$1.65and $1.99 each. Pulled mine out because I'm porting my 906's, and glad
I did! The steel plugs were just about ready to start leaking. Don't know what
kind of temper tantrum I would have had if that had happened!
Click to expand...
Most people never think about the plugs in the heads. Thanks for reminding me.
 
Although I haven't tried it yet, somewhere I saw this dude installing the plug backwards while carefully hitting only the outer perimeter to set depth. Then he hit the center domed area to expand/lock set it. Anyone use this install method ?
 
70rcode said:
Although I haven't tried it yet, somewhere I saw this dude installing the plug backwards while carefully hitting only the outer perimeter to set depth. Then he hit the center domed area to expand/lock set it. Anyone use this install method ?
Click to expand...
That's typically only done with the disc-type plugs...doing that with a cupped plug is asking for trouble IMO. Cupped plugs should be installed with something that fits inside the cup and applies pressure around the edge of the inside cup. But, people do all kinds of goofy **** and if it works once, they swear by it..
 
440Coronet500 said:
That's cheap insurance! I typically use brass freeze plugs on the block and steel in the heads. 440'
Click to expand...
that is good insurance-more, to keep block and heads from rusting, either use distilled water ,or get soluble oil to put in radiator, soluble oil is what is used in machine shops to prevent rust while machining. a pint or less- will turn water milky colored-but no rust, it also lubricates the water pump. cheap insurance
 
I use distilled water (Demineralized) and Prestone Extended life antifreeze and coolant in
all of my vehicles and change it every three years. no rust or sediment ever! Looks the same
coming out as going in. I'm a Machinist and I would never put that soluble oil in anything but
a material saw. it always turns rancid and smelly, and water pump bearings are sealed and
the seals don't need any extra lubrication. I was just surprised when I popped my head plugs
out and saw that they were ready to start leaking!
 
zyzzyx said:
I use distilled water (Demineralized) and Prestone Extended life antifreeze and coolant in
all of my vehicles and change it every three years. no rust or sediment ever! Looks the same
coming out as going in. I'm a Machinist and I would never put that soluble oil in anything but
a material saw. it always turns rancid and smelly, and water pump bearings are sealed and
the seals don't need any extra lubrication. I was just surprised when I popped my head plugs
out and saw that they were ready to start leaking!
Click to expand...
 
I've used it without fail since late 60's glad you have success with yours, the distilled water is first choice always.
 
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