Thread: how to removing head freeze plugs?

3/4's mangulate it.... the last 1/4 will fall out?

I've bashed quite a bit of the middle out but the outside hasn't moved

you need to hit time on the outside edge with a drift, hitting them in the center usually just puts a punch sized hole in the middle.


you can drill the centers out of them then carefully run a line up the sides with a die grinder then whack them with a chisel either side of the gound out bit to free them up.

Originally Posted by milld

I've bashed quite a bit of the middle out but the outside hasn't moved

G`day ,

just use a pin punch on the outer bit that hasn`t moved .

The idea is to spin/turn it then pull out with pliers ( twist/turn ) or just lever .

Even though they are so small they will still spin like the larger ones .

If you mark the head matting surface when punching just tidy with some paper and the gasket cement or whatever you use will seal it .

When hit in the centre there`s more chance of going inside but as long as they can be gripped from inside , they will come out easily .

Peter

Thanks guys,

I did end up getting it out What a little bastard it was. Ended up with a couple of marks in the alloy though. I used stag for the other freeze plugs, do you think a good coating of this will be enough to seal it up nicely?

With the others, should I just start off with the punch to the outside instead of trying to hit the inside edge? Maybe I shouldn't be using flat blade screwdrivers and should go to bunnings and get me a little punch set LOL.

if your punch is clean edged enough go the punch to the side.

stag will seal up small gaps....

If I have a reall bad case one I rough up the block then fill it with epoxy, flay it back once its dried then put in a new plug with stag or hylomar #4

G`day ,

whatever works , as far as where to start but rotating rather than destroying , i`d also suggest it`s easier if you can secure the head even if only up against the wall on the bench and i find sharp heavy taps of the hammer rather than solid blows . ( poor description i know but i know what i mean ) Coarse if still fitted to the block that`s probably enough holding power .

Screwdriver if it doesn`t have a shock absorbing handle and isn`t sharp , don`t really want to chisel more push , even a small diameter bolt of a suitable size with a square edge but they tend to be painful .

Staggs fine you won`t want much as there isn`t the room and because these particular plugs are so thick as in depth and the plugs only needs to go flush .

Having one out shows how much room you have to play with as far as loosing them inside .

I can tell from your comment about the block plugs being easy that the engine is not in the vehicle , mostly because they are a fair mongrel when the engines fitted .