Freeze Plug? I hope thats where my leak is coming from!

luvmoparz · Post by **luvmoparz** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:53 pm

I have a drip under the motor mount on the drivers side. I unfortunately do not have a manual with me, its at home up north and before taking out the motor mount, could someone tell me if a freeze plug is directly under the motor mount or in very close proximity?

I re-did the entire cooling system this weekend only to be disapointed by this drip.....also, what is the best temp thermostat and cap to use?

they ask you at the parts store, 180, 190 or 200.....I chose 180 for both cap and thermostat......318 engine with a 26" radiator.

Thanks all!

luvmoparz · Post by **luvmoparz** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:20 am

So.....the answer on the freeze plug is "yes", there is one under the motor mount, which was good, because the motor mount on that side was broken. Replaced both motor mount and freeze plug tonight. Cooling system is almost up to par.....not getting warm in the cabin though, maybe an air bubble or somthing. When I changed the freeze plug, I effectively gave the engine an enima.....flushed water through the block....very nasty stuff, about 45 or so 5 gallon buckets worth to get the water pretty clean. This poor car was really abused and not maintained whatsoever. Still lots left to do!!! So does anyone have an answer as to cap and thermostat temps????

Her is how she looks now:

landon1 · Post by **landon1** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:28 pm

i think stock is 195 - i could be wrong??? i was looking at going hi-flow 160 as mine is 180 right now. but if everything on your car is basically stock, i'd stick with it, so if 195 is right, you would probably go with 190. i think the lower temp thermostats were for up to 1970 and then after, it went up a lil bit.

great lookin car p.s.

Post by **Eric** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:44 am

I think 195 thermostat was stock too....but 180 would be fine. Original rad caps were rated by pressure, not temperature.

luvmoparz · Post by **luvmoparz** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:55 am

Yeah, I just chose middle of the road on thermostat and cap. I think I must just have air in the system, heater not getting warm and if you leave cap off while warming, when thermostat opens, radiater fluid comes shooting out the top. I have been told to drill 2 --1/16 holes in the thermostat (by a bunch of people) to help aid getting rid of air

rr6pak · Post by **rr6pak** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:10 pm

Yeah, I've heard 1/16 or 1/8" hole. You make the hole right in a areaas close to the top of the thermostat as possible. Never have done that(yet)

. Will this get the air out?

luvmoparz · Post by **luvmoparz** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:30 pm

Supposedly, I have been screwing around with this for too much time, so I am gonna go for that tonight. I had the same problem with my 5th, but was able to drive that around and get all the air out and top off the fluid properly, the 72 I cant yet, not registered or any of that as yet, plus I have alot more to go through to make sure everything is good to go.

mopar71 · Post by **mopar71** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:07 pm

I am a liitle bit confused,Let me get this straight.You have no heat right? If this is correct then you have air trapped in your heater hoses.To remove air in the heater hoses you need to remove the upper heater hose from the water pump and fill it with water or antifeeze.Drilling holes in your thermostat will do nothing! When the car reaches temp the thermostat should be wide open so air and water will pass through.All this is null and void if you have some type of blockage.Eventually air goes to its highest point which normally is the top of the radiator,with the engine cool,open the radiator cap to remove air and add antifreeze as needed.

luvmoparz · Post by **luvmoparz** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:26 pm

Yeah, talked to my resident nearby expert, told me the same thing, just said dont fill up the radiator all the way, let the thermostat open and that should do the trick. Turns out I have a bad valve so the heads are coming off next week to, just goes to show that great deals on the surface are not always what you think. It'll get done and there is no real hurry, the 72 is for somthing to work on in the evenings when i am away from home, would never get away with spending all that time with the car at home.....so by the time its all done, I will gain a ton of knowledge and have a nice reliable (hopefully) cruiser.