Adding Screw in Freeze plugs to a Top oiler

[Bob Buckley]

Hello,
i am interested if anyone has drille and tapped the freeze plug holes and put in sxrew in plugs and had any luck good or bad.
i don't want to make a mistake and have this done and leak or not make the sides rigid. Any input would be appreciated.
Tks, Bob

[RICK LAKE]

Hi Bob. Contact Dan Cain at feengines.COm he puts out a small magazine from TN. He has the article on how to tap the holes with the right tap and where to get the correct plugs for the block. His # 423-338-0064 between 8p.m. and 10p.m. EST. He can mail you the article. I have it but we are redoing the inside of my house, and the library is packed away for the next 3 months. Good Luck Hope it works for you. If I find the old article I will e-mail you Rick Lake P.S. The plugs make the block stronger and do not move around when screwed in .

[SCOBRAC]

seems like a lot of trouble.. isnt your FE heavy enough..

[Bob Buckley]

Thanks Rick,
I have been considering this idea for the engine that is on my bench now. I have heard of the stronger sides and no movement.
Thanks for the reply,
Bob

[Rick Parker]

The Boss 302's used this approach too. I did it to a 289 block quite some time ago. The plugs are available through Ford Power Parts. They are available in stainless steel if you want to pay the bucks! I chose the cast iron ones available through Ford Motorsport (Now Ford Racing). They are still available through Ford Racing (M-6026-B302) these are short 1 1/4 tapered pipe plugs with a 3/4" square recessed area for a square socket. The pipe tap can be had at Orchard Supply Hardware or maybe Home Depot. Be sure to run the tap in squarely and watch out for the water jacket. You may need to cut the tap off as I did, to finish the last few threads.
No regrets!

Rick............

[Toivo]

I had this done.
The standard FE plug with threads isn't a real common size so I believe MOPAR plugs were used, close enough in size.
I can't say that the motor is now 5%, 10% or 15% stiffer due to the plugs, but I haven't had any problems (sealer was put on the threads before the plugs were screwed in), and the little brass plugs look nice winking out from under the headers when I get down there to look (didn't paint the plugs, just the block itself). I did it as a sort of weird offset to the boring I did to the cylinders which in my mind weakened the block, so I wanted to help it some if I could...there there block, it'll be ok.