HELP! Engine block cracked?

[jgilbs]

well all the freeze (or "core" plugs) are still in place, and it cranks and runs fine, so it looks like ive avoided the worst case scenario (knock on wood) now im gonna go check the status of the radiator and water pump. i was checking the core plugs and i noticed that the lower hose to the radiator had become disconnected and was full of ice. so i ran some hot water through the radiator and hose and i just reconnected them. but i also noticed ice in the hose leading the the water pump i needed to replace my radiator BEFORE this happened, so it's not that big a deal, im more worried about the water pump, since im supposed to take this back to iowa on saturday. oh well, looks like im gonna be puttin in some long hours in the garage in the meantime...

 

[TheRookie]

The water pump isnt hard. I recomend going to an auto parts place and buying a cheap "ford fan clutch tool" there isnt any easier way to get the fan off the pump

 

[jgilbs]

ok, so i put the radiator hose back on and began filling it with coolant. now, water gushes out, but i can't tell where. it looks to be above the starter, but i can't get under there to look(i dont have a jack or jackstands) are there any coolant lines that run in that general vicinity? sorry i have no pics, but i left my digital camera at my apartment in iowa.

 

[chris c]

there are no coolant lines there. there are freeze out plugs right under the exhaust manifold above the starter. i know you said you checked them but maybe you over looked one.

you can get under there without a jack and stand. i got faith in yah! get under there with a flash light and have a friend fill the system so you can watch. just protect your eyes and mouth from that coolant. i don't mean to preach but safety first...

 

[lonestar]

It could still be a freeze plug. It may still be in, but pushed out enough to leak. If this is the case, you may want to replace all the plugs, since they all could be pushed out a little. Nothing better than being miles from home and have a freexe plug fall out.

 

[jgilbs]

yea, i double checked and it is a freeze plug that's missing. thanks guys i can't find it anywhere on the driveway, though. where can i buy one? how much force is required to make sure they are seated adequately. also, while im on the subject of obscure parts, do you know where i could obtain the panel rivets (the plastic circles that keep the plastic interior trim in place)? i looked on ford parts network and i couldn't find freeze plugs or the trim rivets.

 

[chris c]

in stock, a machine shop will probably be your best bet for the freeze out plugs. they will know the install technique too.

as far as the trim retainers, i can't help yah. i still have part of my rear trip flapping around due to a few of the retainers i broke about a yeara ago... lol!!!

it sounds like you are starting to make some progress with your problem. glad bro!

 

[KC7FEQ]

Most any Ford dealer will have a large assortment of trim retainers, and I've even seen some generic ones in Checker Auto and other auto parts stores.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

The dealer should have freeze plugs too.

 

[jgilbs]

would i have to bring the car in? or would they just have them off the shelf? or would they need to make one?

 

[jgilbs]

hmm - if the dealer would have them, how hard would they be to install? can i just press them in? or do they need to be hammered in?

 

[chris c]

they will have one....

like the other guys said, maybe try ford first.

any decent machine shop [that build / rebuilds engines] should just have them on hand. just tell them 4.0L ohv and they should have it...

 

[chris c]

Originally posted by jgilbs
hmm - if the dealer would have them, how hard would they be to install? can i just press them in? or do they need to be hammered in?

you can hammer them in but you need to use a socket or something that fits it snug. you might need to take the exhaust manifold off to get to it...

place the socket so the side with more material faces the freeze plug [the side that attaches to the ratchet].

 

[jgilbs]

take off the exhaust manifold, eh? sounds like fun oh well, i guess it's better than a new engine - and hey, i guess i'll know how to do that next time i need to work on my engine.