49 merc---freeze plugs???

[yragat]

I don't know hardly anything about flathead engines---A friend has a 49 merc V-8 and wants to know if those engines came with soft plugs,core plugs,freeze plugs,---whatever they are called.
Thanks

 

[fomocoloco]

yes. those plugs are there to remove sand from the casting process.

 

[Mike in AZ]

don't think the later flatheads came with those plugs....Mike

 

[yragat]

Could you tell me where they are located?
Thanks

 

[296 V8]

they dont have any

 

[51 MERC-CT]

yes. those plugs are there to remove sand from the casting process.

Could you tell me where they are located?
Thanks

Never saw a '49 Merc engine or any other '49-'53 Ford or Merc. engine that had freeze plugs.

 

[Mike in AZ]

earlier engines had those plugs along the sides of the engine where the oil pan bolts...you could see the bulges on the block from the outside....Mike

 

[yragat]

OK,thanks,guys---I'll tell him

 

[rotorwrench]

Many a flathead Ford V8 motor have ended service due to freeze cracks. No soft plugs were ever intended to be for freeze protection. As was mentioned before the V8s up to 1941 had core sand ports plugged with small soft plugs but the oil pan resists them from comming out on a freeze up situation. Most cracks are in the pan rail. Some happen at the back of the block. Some in the valve chamber and others in the valve ports or cylinder walls.

When I was a kid, one of the last things we did on the farm before winter set in was to check up on all the farm vehicles for anti-freeze protection. Even with all that we still lost a few to harsh winter cold. I remember those winters for sure. That's why I live down south now.