Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Oil or antifreeze??

I have my flywheel off right now and have noticed a ...what I thought is a oil leak. I Was not sure if it was the pan or a rear crank seal... which I have replaced both of those lately anyway. I noticed some oil like stuff on the back of the motor....so I wiped it all down from the head to the crank just to clean things up abit. I have not ran the engine after I cleaned it up... FYI.
It looks like a oil stuff that is coming from the passenger side freeze plug? I have new antifreeze in the system (almost pure antifreeze... not much water) but have not looked for oil in the cooling system while running (it would seperate later). Not seen antifreeze in the oil either? After I wipe it down it takes a day or so to show up. Is it possible that the antifreeze could be looking like oil after the any H2O evaporates? Feels and looks like clean oil between the fingers? Not any smell to give direction either. The engine oil is clean too right now.... So It has looked like oil to me so far.

Like to take care of this one before I put the flywheel on. The engine is a '67 230.

Thanks, Clyde

I'm no expert on this engine, but it might be an oil gallery freeze plug that is leaking. IIRC a lot of race engine builders tap these and thread in pipe plugs instead of the freeze plugs.

Just a thought

Ducky,
Just went to look some more. There is a aprox 3/4 dia. pipe thread plug above and left of that freeze plug. It has a square socket hole in it.... maye since?. All is dry around that 3/4 plug.

Thanks, Clyde

Hi Clyde,
This won't answer your question, but I have one of my own. Why almost straight antifreeze? It won't cool as well as the recommended 50/50 mix and it will freeze at a higher temperature than than a 50/50 mix.
just wondering,
Jim

Jim,
I had some aluminum engines in the past that ran min. of 80% antifreeze. When I took them apart... man they were clean passages! I usually top things off with water later which I have not done yet on this one yet. I am on a well with real hard water (120 GPG calcium) so I can not use my water at home.

Clyde

All,
If I do replace the freeze plug... should I get brass or steel??

Clyde

Hey,before you go guessing,i would get a cooling system pressure tester and hook it up to the radiator and pump it up and let it sit awhile and look for leaks.Not only will you find the leak your looking at now but you may find some more small leaks somewhere.Alot of the testers leak down due to age but pump it back up occasionally and keep looking for leaks.Good luck with your project...........Gerald

Might be the camshaft plug at the back of the block that is leaking.
EvilDr235

------------------
Two types of people drive old cars.Rich people because they want to and poor people because they have to.
Remember EvilDr235 has a cure for Your sixness.

I think the plug looks ok... Thinking at this point just change the freeze plug.... never done one before. Any advise on removal and on the install anyone?

Thanks, Clyde

Well...just drilled into ther freeze plug.... but his cavity looks like it has oil! I may have hit the end of the cam shaft some.... still trying to get the plug out. This is a 2" dia plug???

Clyde

OK guys,
I got the plug out and no damage to the cam. No problem on the filings either because of the way the design is. So when I put the new one in should I put some sealer on it??

Thanks, Clyde

Get a brass plug if you can find one - Dorman usually has a match for your old plug. Buy a few extras in case you bugger one up. They are an interference fit and there is a special tool to install them but you can usually hammer them in with a block of wood, just get it started straight and it should go in OK. Some silicone sealer or even epoxy will prevent any leaks.

Yep,
I purchased 2 and they were Dorman. It was steel ones though. Used sealer and went ok. Thanks folks! This board is great!

Clyde