I have a siezed drain plug which I stripped the allen on. I drilled it out to 1/4" and used my extractor to put as much force as I think the extractor can handle short of breaking. My next step will be heat. Question; how much heat can I safely apply to the area around this plug. Keep in mind that the cylinder is probably 3/8" away from this plug, (the width of water jacket). I will heat it in increments to try and break this loose, but if I have to get it glowing red will it hurt anything?

Craig Mitchell
68 Mustang GT 428CJ

The change to cherry red changes the structure of the rust to something that will release. I cannot recall the details of the chemistry, only that this change in state for the rust is what makes it possible to seperate rusted nuts from the rusted bolts.

All kinds of magic tricks out there, but there is nothing better than a bunch of heat


---------------------------------
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.......need to get it hotter than a dull orange to do damage, if bare and the front is not supported on a stand, JMO Rod.

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Craig Mitchell
68 Mustang GT 428CJ

Before you use heat you may first want to try air hammer impact w/ a very dull chisel bit, w/ low air pressure. Impact the plug directly, and all around - - the dynamic shock may break it free so you can unscrew it w/ your easy-out.

You can crack cast iron by geting it too hot and not cooling s-l-o-w-l-y...... Don't get too crazy w/ heat on cast iron blocks.

Engines are like garages,never big enough! Check out my distributor restoration site! http://428cobrajetcars.homestead.com

heat the plug nice and red if possible the spray it with water until cool, it will come right out.

I'm sure you have read here about the candle wax trick. It works, I have done it many times. Lay your block over on its side and apply some heat. Get it fairly hot, but not red, then melt some of the wax around the plug. It will flow in around the rusty threads. Then try it again with your extractor and I'll bet it comes out. May need to repeat or turn the heat up slightly...........Sure sorry our timing was off the other day. I am looking forward to seeing the block and your new stuff. Be sure and ask me about driving my sons "new" 03 Cobra this weekend,lol. RonW

them 3 times a day for 4 days with PB Blaster and they backed off with a 3/8 ratchet and socket.

I always take plenty of time with rusted stuff in engine components.


Richard.

from my gramps, he owned a truck/tractor/car dealership, a truck fleet, and a few farms, worked in his shop since I was 5. Don't heat around the plug, heat the plug straight on, right in the center- it'll expand in the threads, and crush the rust in the process. After that is a great time for PB or wax- should come right out

by weight. I wonder what shoving dry ice at -110F on a stuck bolt will do. Id figure the thermally caused size reduction and trama might loosen things up...
Devils advocate: heating can deviate ambient temp by hundreds to thousands of degrees a far greater spread

Have you considered tacking on a nut that you can then put a wrench or socket on?

Over the years, I`ve had varied sucsess removing the block drain plugs. If it will require a huge amount of effort to get them out, I just leave em in. If you pop the core plugs out, everything will be drained anyhow, & I`d be pretty mad if I buggered up a block with too much heat, or mangled the plug so much that it broke off or leaked and couldn`t get it out anyways.

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Have the water pump off and put it in spot where it is "envionmentally friendly", like your queer neighbors flower bed, and douche it with a water hose, Blow it out with air, and its clean enough.

If its together, knock out the core plugs, pull the water pump and rinse it until all of the rusty crap comes out, then shop vac along the bottom, blow it out with air. I won't even attempt to get one of those plugs out, because you can get a sprayer and a shop vac attachment, or air hose in there much better with six ways to get at it.

x

I will try the moderate heat and wax. Although I don't think I have any queer neighbors I would consider pouring the antfreeze out so the neighbors unleashed, unfenced constantly barking dogs that aggravate the He** out of my fenced dogs could get a taste of it. Not really. As sure as I did not replace these 2 plugs they would leak, Hell, they will probably leak anyway. Besides I am thinking of installing drain peacocks in the place of them. I am appreciative of the responses, I will let everyone know the final results.

Craig Mitchell
68 Mustang GT 428CJ