Freeze plug removal

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70spider
Posts: 658
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:05 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Fiat spider
Location: N.E. New Mexico

Freeze plug removal

Postby 70spider » Sat May 13, 2017 7:56 pm

Hello, l have a bit of a problem with the freeze plugs. When I picked up the block from the machinist a couple of weeks ago he said I should replace the freeze plugs do to them being a bit rusty. After waiting on all the bearings, seals and gaskets I decided today to remove the freeze plugs, however like everything else with a Fiat , I ran into a problem. I have removed freeze plugs before using the method of pushing one side in and flipping the plug then grabing it with pliers and puling it out. This worked to perfection on the fist one that is next to the 1st cylinder, the others were not cooperating due to almost no space between the back of the plug and the cylinder wall, thus not allowing my flip method to work. Help, has anyone out there remove the freeze plugs, I would appriciate the help. Thanks Pesto
1970 Fiat Spider 124 Sport aka "Pesto"
2002 Mazda Protege5
2013 Buddy 170i

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Odoyle
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:06 pm
Your car is a: 1983 Pinafarina Spider
Location: CA

Re: Freeze plug removal

Postby Odoyle » Sat May 13, 2017 8:09 pm

Stud welder and slide hammer may be an option.

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So Cal Mark
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Your car is a: Fiat
Location: upland, ca.

Re: Freeze plug removal

Postby So Cal Mark » Sun May 14, 2017 12:15 am

the machinist cleaned the block with the freeze plugs in place? You may want to clean it again with the freeze plugs removed to get all of the debris out of the cooling jackets
Mark Allison
allisonsautomotive.com Fiat and Alfa Romeo parts and service. Performance parts our specialty!
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User avatar
70spider
Posts: 658
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:05 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Fiat spider
Location: N.E. New Mexico

Re: Freeze plug removal

Postby 70spider » Sun May 14, 2017 9:03 pm

After removing the plugs I was going to blow it out with an air compressor. I do not have any local machinist, nearest desent ones are over 2 hrs away. Besides at this point frustration is setting in so I may just wait.
1970 Fiat Spider 124 Sport aka "Pesto"
2002 Mazda Protege5
2013 Buddy 170i

JohnMc
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Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:30 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Fiat 124

Re: Freeze plug removal

Postby JohnMc » Wed May 17, 2017 3:16 pm

I was successful with just a screwdriver and hammer - probably what you did with number 1. And on number 4 I had got out by hammering the plug through the rear waterjacket plate - so it popped out, at least that is what I remember.

On my '70 I was so surprised how much crap was behind the rear big waterjacket plate - pulled out maybe a pound of sand/debris. Probably just an area where all the debris is deposited - no coolant filters like some diesels have.

JohnMc
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Posts: 226
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:30 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Fiat 124

Re: Freeze plug removal

Postby JohnMc » Wed May 17, 2017 8:12 pm

I put in brass plugs. Like the way they stand out and should not have issues - but mainly like the look. Shot them with some clear high temp engine paint to keep them shiny (without any work).

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70spider
Posts: 658
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:05 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Fiat spider
Location: N.E. New Mexico

Re: Freeze plug removal

Postby 70spider » Thu Jun 01, 2017 9:05 pm

Well, I did end up getting them out, what I did tap on one side of them to loosen them a bit, then I drilled a small hole, screwed a self tapping machine bolt and then use a claw hammer to pry them out. It took a few tries but I got the out. I now have some 40mm brass plugs, I was going to polish them up, they should look amazing against the British racing green I painted the block.
1970 Fiat Spider 124 Sport aka "Pesto"
2002 Mazda Protege5
2013 Buddy 170i


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