Raw water weeping from hole in accessory side of block

[nomadicmechanic]

Well I got the atomic four running the other day, and all seems well except there is raw water weeping from a hole in the accessory side of the block. It looks like a 1/4 npt pipe plug may have once gone in the hole... I attached a picture pointing out the location. Anyone know what this hole's purpose is and if I can just tap and plug it?

Max

[jpian0923]

It's an engine block drain. It should already be tapped. You can tap and plug it if it's stripped out.

[Marian Claire]

I will just add a welcome to the forum. Dan S/V Marian Claire

[nomadicmechanic]

That is good news - I had fears that it was a blind tapped hole that had rusted through to the cooling jacket. Tapping is in order...

Thanks!

[Al Schober]

Hey Nomad,
Welcome to the forum!
Since it is intended as a drain, and you say it's just weeping (with no plug) - I'd suggest you knock out or drill out whatever is blocking the hole. After all, you may want to use it as a drain some day. Ditto for a similar drain at the transmission end of the block.
Did you flush the block?

Al

[sastanley]

Pretty sure that is 1/8" NPT. I'll 2nd Al's suggestion..wire it out with a coat hangar or something..while you are in there, get the aft one as well..it's at the other end between the side plate & distributor...that one gets clogged worse because it is at the low spot of the water jacket..some have a 6" long pipe threaded in them, some are just plugs.

[Nicholasmiller]

It is 1/8 NPT, I just retapped and cleaned out mine.