Return to the home page...

Go Back   Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians > Discussion Topics > General Interest

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   IP: 24.148.27.144
Old 05-03-2021, 10:11 AM
lokeypod lokeypod is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Chicago
Posts: 4
Thanks: 4
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Freeze-out plug leak

Hello, I am a new owner of a 1969 Cal 29 with an Atomic 4. This is a fresh water boat on Lake Michigan. After winter storage, I fired up the engine and noticed a large amount of water coming out the top of it. Turns out there is a non-threaded hole on the top of the engine, starboard side towards the back. Looks like the hole was braised shut with a small bronze disc about the size of a silver dollar and it came off when I started the engine (thank goodness I found it).

Does anyone know how I go about fixing this? Seems really odd that this somewhat crucial port would be sealed up in such a simple manor. Am I missing something?

UPDATE: I found a photo that shows this part and am attaching it.

UPDATE 2: changed the title of post so it’s easier to find when searching for this issue
Attached Images
 

Last edited by lokeypod; 05-12-2021 at 08:40 AM. Reason: update w/ photo
Reply With Quote
  #2   IP: 131.162.64.99
Old 05-03-2021, 11:08 AM
Peter's Avatar
Peter Peter is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 297
Thanks: 162
Thanked 140 Times in 101 Posts
Welcome Lokeypod,

That is a frost plug that has popped out - see this thread for info - https://www.moyermarineforum.com/for...rost+plug+head

And of course you might now be concerned that the engine was not properly winterized and other damage exists. The thread linked above has a suggestion from Ken at Moyer (our hosts) for a temporary fix with an expandable rubber plug. That might be the way to go and then do a pressure test to see if the rest of the cooling system is ok.

Let us hope that this frost plug was the only problem - how does the engine oil look? Nice and clear or milky?

Best,

Peter
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Peter For This Useful Post:
JOHN COOKSON (05-03-2021), lokeypod (05-03-2021), Surcouf (05-03-2021)
  #3   IP: 24.148.27.144
Old 05-03-2021, 04:52 PM
lokeypod lokeypod is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Chicago
Posts: 4
Thanks: 4
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Thank you! I'll check the oil next time I'm down there to see how the oil fared the winter

Last edited by lokeypod; 05-03-2021 at 05:40 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #4   IP: 32.211.28.40
Old 05-03-2021, 08:03 PM
Al Schober's Avatar
Al Schober Al Schober is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Uncasville, CT
Posts: 2,002
Thanks: 16
Thanked 578 Times in 405 Posts
Actual name for that is a 'core plug'. When the head is cast, the internal water passages are made by a piece called a core. After the head cools, the core has to be removed from the inside of the head, hence this (and other) passage. Once the core is out, the passage gets machined and a plug installed - the core plug. You'll also find a couple in the exhaust manifold.
Attached Images
 
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Al Schober For This Useful Post:
lokeypod (05-04-2021), ndutton (05-03-2021), ronstory (05-04-2021)
  #5   IP: 104.174.83.118
Old 05-03-2021, 09:40 PM
ndutton's Avatar
ndutton ndutton is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 9,619
Thanks: 198
Thanked 2,208 Times in 1,425 Posts
More detail

The Atomic 4 uses two different types of core plugs. Be sure to get the right one for the application:
https://www.moyermarineforum.com/for...58&postcount=4
__________________
Neil
1977 Catalina 30
San Pedro, California
prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
Had my hands in a few others
Reply With Quote
  #6   IP: 24.148.27.144
Old 05-04-2021, 09:05 AM
lokeypod lokeypod is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Chicago
Posts: 4
Thanks: 4
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
I still have the plug, so I guess I can just pop it back in and see what happens. I'll buy a couple back ups too. Thanks for all of your help!
Reply With Quote
  #7   IP: 100.40.58.241
Old 05-04-2021, 09:20 AM
jcwright jcwright is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 158
Thanks: 5
Thanked 99 Times in 75 Posts
Hello lokeypod.

You may have already seen this, but just in case, here is Don Moyer's answer to a FAQ about installing core plugs:

FAQ’s: Cooling
Freeze-out plugs were originally installed over a small ridge cast into the lower part of the hole in the block, head or manifold. Here are your options for repair, starting with the least invasive and leading to the more complicated procedures:

1) If the plug has some dome shape remaining, you could take a flat punch (like maybe a 1/2″ bolt) and flatten the plug. These plugs are designed to seal around their OD by flattening out their dome shape. Flatten the plug by pounding in a circular pattern around the center, but not directly in the center. The challenge is to flatten the plug without causing a concave dimple in the center, which would reduce the ultimate outward expansion of the plug.

2) If the plug is already flat, you may be able to seal it using epoxy of the type West Marine sells in small repair kits. Before using epoxy, be sure to clean the surface of the head and plug extremely well.

3) You can replace the plug with a new one from our online catalog (Product
number: OBLK_14_125) and reseal around its circumference during installation. Old plugs can be removed by drilling a small hole in their center and then inserting a punch and prying the cup out by pounding on the side of the punch. Since the inner circumference of the hole will probably be less than perfect, we recommend the use of JB Weld to seal the new plug. Flatten the new plug as in the first option above.

4) If, after removing the old plug, you discover that the ridge in the casting is deteriorated to the point that it will not support the pounding it will take to seat a new dome shaped plug, you can ream the hole to a slightly larger size and install a “cup” type plug. In our own rebuilding work, we routinely ream holes for the larger plugs (used in the block and head) to 1-1/4″, and to 15/16″ for the smaller plugs (two used in the manifold and one in the head).

5) For on-boat repairs, where poor access prevents repairs involving reaming etc., there are rubber expansion plugs available from many automotive parts stores which may work to seal a hole (at least on a temporary basis) that is too deteriorated to accept a dome type plug without the need to ream the hole. – Updated: December 22, 2003
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to jcwright For This Useful Post:
lokeypod (05-04-2021)
  #8   IP: 24.237.158.243
Old 05-05-2021, 07:03 PM
lat 64's Avatar
lat 64 lat 64 is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 1,964
Thanks: 39
Thanked 240 Times in 157 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by lokeypod View Post
I still have the plug, so I guess I can just pop it back in and see what happens. I'll buy a couple back ups too. Thanks for all of your help!
Hi lokey,

Back in the day, we used to smear a bit of Ford brand weatherstrip glue all over the back side(water side) of those plugs to help with any sealing problems and to give a little more corrosion protection. I think any goop that seals would be helpful. not required if you can get it to seal though.

Russ
__________________
Whiskeyjack a '68 Columbia 36 rebuilt A-4 with 2:1

"Since when is napping doing nothing?"
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to lat 64 For This Useful Post:
lokeypod (05-12-2021)
  #9   IP: 207.237.217.107
Old 05-12-2021, 08:37 AM
lokeypod lokeypod is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Chicago
Posts: 4
Thanks: 4
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Update: solved!

Thought I’d update this post for future folks that might run into this.
I bought a couple new freeze-out plugs from Moyer and popped one in. I used a ball peen hammer to expand/concave the plug in the hole and it sealed up well.

Thanks for everyone’s suggestions and help!
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to lokeypod For This Useful Post:
Surcouf (05-12-2021)
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Water out of manifold bolt holes? Chris Simenstad Exhaust System 2 07-09-2019 02:50 PM
wit's end damienk Troubleshooting 64 07-28-2015 02:50 PM
Exhaust water coming back into manifold!!!! ricglobe Exhaust System 13 08-04-2014 11:13 AM
Oil and water leak. Flagman101 Overhaul 16 08-20-2009 08:02 PM
leak in manifold Jlmatt Cooling System 1 06-26-2009 05:52 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:01 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.


Universal® is a registered trademark of Westerbeke Corporation

Copyright © 2004-2024 Moyer Marine Inc.

All Rights Reserved