hey all you 3rd gen buddies what can i do about the leak in my block i have a 89 camaro tbi 305 5.0 FI and well my step dad just gave it to me for free he said heres your first car cherish im at first im like ok cause i was into the civics and crx and evos(rice burners n ****) until truly i respect third gen cars the most as soon as i started working on it now i love my third gen and ive been trying to fix it up i made a custom sub box for it in wood tech im gonna make it the nicest ride on the road but i have a problem if you guys on third gen could help me i noticed when i was working on my car that it wasnt running right i boutght the haynes manual book based upon a complete tear down and rebuild and i could not find freeze plug in the block well maybe cause im just starting to learn everything about my third gen but ya the car was empty of anti frezze and being my stupid *** i started to let the battery charge off the alternator not realizing that the whole coolant system is pretty much messed up (no engine coolant, radiator fan does not work, well you no what happens in 65 degree weather when you leave your car running for about 15 minutes well you know well we flushed the radiator with water too look for leaks and there it was driver side in the block i guessed it was a freeze plug popped well do you have to replace the whole block or just get a new freeze plug which i can tell will be a pain in the *** to do id have to take the motor out and **** plus the car has 170,000 miles on in your guys opinion should i replace the block or try and fix the freeze plug help me out plz

thank Jarrod Class heres some pics of my 89 camaro iroc z-28








only bad thing is cracked dash i need a new one!!


some rust cause its been sitting for about a year and ahlf no biggy but these are some nice rims

thank guys iwould really appreciate the help

 

you can probley put a freeze plug with the motor in, but I don't know. Sounds like you're mechanically inclined enough to understand a book so buy a book ****** the motor and build it. The best learning experience ever. Hell 170k yeah I think its time to learn how to build a motor. its not that hard with a good book.

 

ah that engines still got life left mines over 260K now and still runs very good just replace the plug it might cost $1 but you will need to monitor your cooling system for a few days after make sure you arent losing coolant
you defenitly could do it with the engine in though might need to pull exhaust manifold and plugs but it is doable

 

thanks man i appreciate the help my dads friend said i would have to buy a new block im like no fing way i was pissed but ya i mean i figured 170k aint that bad but man thanks
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no i understand the book i have studied it diligently its just they dont have the word freeze plug

 

im not saying you havent caused serious damage i am saying for a $1 you can find out watch the coolant level if your not losing fluid you are probably safe...do an oil change and take a look in the oil after you have run the engine with the new plug

 

but you see there is no engine colant or anti freeze the damn thing is bone dry

 

Take off the exaust manifold on that side and take a look. I have seend the block crack and not push the freeze plug out but you never know. It is free to take a look. Dont spend any money till you know exackly what the problem is.

 

soo you personally think my block is cracked
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well i heard from my dude a camaro freak. hes got a nice 79 but any way he said most the time freeze plugs dont even work and that the block will freeze and crack b4 the plug even goes thats pretty point less

 

That's because the freeze plugs aren't intended to protect the block from freezing. They're to fill holes leftover from the casting process.

 

It could or couldent be, my point was there is only one way to find out.

 

yes thats true lol