Core / Welch Plugs

**grey_ghost** · 9th April 2013, 01:27 PM

Hi All,

I have some questions/need some advice about core/welch plugs...
I am restoring a 1960 SWB, Series 2 with a standard 4 cylinder petrol engine - 2 1/4.
In other threads some members on this forum have said that it's an early block..

It looks to me like the existing core plugs are brass, and in reasonably good shape -

However at the firewall end of the block - there was a damaged plug (which I have since managed to remove). (Sorry for the poor picture) but you can see the now empty plug above an existing brass core plug -

Is this a core plug? It actually has a thread on it - which I didn't think that core plugs do?

So I have multiple questions -
1. Should I replace all of the core plugs (even though they look ok) ?
2. Which are better - brass or steel? (The car came with a few spare steel ones)
3. Is this plug at the block a core plug? Or is it something else?

I have looked at the parts manual, and I know that core plugs come in different sizes - but this one has me stumped because it has a thread on it?

As always - any advice is greatly appreciated.

**incisor** · 9th April 2013, 01:39 PM

i sell shouldered brass plugs to suit the top threaded holes.

i have them machined up

they are much better option than the crap replacement you can buy from your local lr parts guys.

Dave's Interesting Things

i would replace the brass welch plugs well, mainly because it allows you to get into the water jackets with a wire and give them a good cleanout.

**p38arover** · 9th April 2013, 01:45 PM

Good to see someone spelling it correctly.

**grey_ghost** · 9th April 2013, 02:23 PM

Hi Incisor,

Thanks - are you saying that there are more than one of these threaded plugs? Is the plug directly below also threaded? I just need to know how many to purchase...!

**incisor** · 9th April 2013, 02:50 PM

it is the two plugs above the three welch plugs

there is two per block

**grey_ghost** · 9th April 2013, 05:49 PM

Hi Incisor,

I am a little bit confused!

In my first picture - I can see the 2 core plugs that you refer to. However the left hand one looks like it has a square nut head on it? And the right hand one almost looks like it has been welded in - with no nut on it.

That doesn't mean that I won't replace them - but they look different to your example?

The core plug that I was talking about is at the end of the engine block - my second picture. This is also threaded - and a bigger size that the 2 smaller ones located on the side of the engine block, above the 3 larger ones...

So am I calling mine a core plug, when it might not be?

**incisor** · 9th April 2013, 06:13 PM

that is the block heater plug

eg
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Land-Rove...-/170957972118

i use a std diecast one in there just in case there is electrolysis as they are easier to replace in place

i use brass in the rest of them as they are under manifolds etc and take a bit to repair / replace

the one with the square nut is made of what?

the flat one that looks welded in is a std aluminium one i imagine and they rot from the inside out. the replacement from lr parts guys are way to loose and dont tighten up on a taper or shoulder.

**grey_ghost** · 9th April 2013, 06:27 PM

Hi Incisor,

The left hand one (the one with a weird square nut) - if I had to guess, I would say that it is a soft metal like aluminium. It is not brass. I just put a spanner on it, and gently tried to undo it. No luck. I then used more force - nothing!

(I did not want to use too much force, after the disaster that I had with the thermostat housing!)

**gromit** · 9th April 2013, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by grey_ghost

Hi Incisor,

The left hand one (the one with a weird square nut) - if I had to guess, I would say that it is a soft metal like aluminium. It is not brass. I just put a spanner on it, and gently tried to undo it. No luck. I then used more force - nothing!

(I did not want to use too much force, after the disaster that I had with the thermostat housing!)

It looks like a cast iron blanking plug (usually galvanised). Check with a magnet.
They often have a tapered thread so you might need a bit of force to get it started. Do you need to remove it ?

Colin

**Lotz-A-Landies** · 9th April 2013, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by incisor

it is the two plugs above the three welch plugs

there is two per block

Except those three items (cups) are core plugs and not Welch Plugs!

Welch plugs require a shoulder inside the core hole, these shoulders are not present in Land Rover blocks.

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