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GRD-214 Freeze Plugs

PostPosted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 12:28 pm
by Seymour
Hi all-

Does anybody know the part number/source for the 2" freeze/expansion plugs in the GRD-214? If so, we can add it to the parts link.

Thanks,
John

Re: GRD-214 Freeze Plugs

PostPosted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 12:39 pm
by nikkinutshop
You do not need a part number. Measure the hole in the block and go to NAPA. There are two styles of plugs. Concave and Cup.
You will need to super clean up the surfaces where the plug fits. The plug sealant that you should use is https://www.permatex.com/products/gaske ... nt-liquid/
Do not use any other product. Do yourself a big favour and disregard the sure to follow suggestions of other sealants. This Permatex product is non reactive. It is not necessary to buy a higher priced brass plug when steel is available. You do not want to introduce another metal into the cooling system. Dissimilar metals in the presence of an electrolyte will make a low electric current and corrode the plugs. If you allow the coolant to deteriorate it will become an electrolyte .
I am attaching a picture of how I resurfaced the holes in the Old IHC LB engines I freshened up.

Re: GRD-214 Freeze Plugs

PostPosted: Wed Sep 12, 2018 11:38 am
by worthy
I followed the above instructions except I used a way better sealant! No, just kidding! I went to the local auto parts place and they actually had the 2" disc style plugs in stock so I guess they are fairly common. I just replaced the two lower ones since they had rusted out badly. Good luck.

Re: GRD-214 Freeze Plugs

PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 8:38 am
by Seymour
Had trouble finding 2" plugs at auto parts stores and on line. Took the suggestion to go to NAPA but the 2" plug seems too deep for the hole. Was talking to a buddy who is into early Fords and he showed me a box he had full of them and I found one less deep. When I scraped the muck off of the bad plug, I found that somebody had filled a hole in it with an epoxy of some sort.

Thanks for your help,
John

Re: GRD-214 Freeze Plugs

PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 2:13 pm
by Seymour
I think I found the right one. I ordered a Dornan 550-028 2" concave steel plug. If this works out I will post it in the parts link.

John

Re: GRD-214 Freeze Plugs

PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 2:23 pm
by nikkinutshop
Just incase, I should mention, the plug goes into the hole in the block with the curve to the outside. When the sealant has been applied to the clean surface inside the core plug hole and the plug is pressed in and seated, the center of the concave must be pressed /knocked in about 3 / 16 inch. This expands the plug tight against the core plug hole.

Re: GRD-214 Freeze Plugs

PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 9:22 pm
by Seymour
nikkinutshop wrote:Just incase, I should mention, the plug goes into the hole in the block with the curve to the outside. When the sealant has been applied to the clean surface inside the core plug hole and the plug is pressed in and seated, the center of the concave must be pressed /knocked in about 3 / 16 inch. This expands the plug tight against the core plug hole.

Thanks a bunch for your help. I've done this before with cup type plugs, but you have been very helpful with the concave type.

John