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Think its a freeze plug leaking but? Help please.

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Old Oct 9, 2022 | 06:19 PM
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Briar's Avatar
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From: Imperial Pa
Car: 89 formula 350
Engine: 5.7
Think its a freeze plug leaking but? Help please.


89 350....I thought the freeze plugs were 1 7/8\"? This doesnt seem to be that big. Its just above the starter and seems to be the cause of my leak. Id guess 3/4 inches maybe a little more. Anybody with experience here is appreciated. Any thoughts on plugging it without pulling the motor?
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Old Oct 9, 2022 | 07:16 PM
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From: Milwaukee
Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: Think its a freeze plug leaking but? Help please.

There's a freeze plug directly above the starter. I can't tell by the picture what you have leaking but take the starter out and look. The exhaust manifold may be in the way of knocking it out and changing it. I've never changed one in vehicle before so others may have more experience to give.
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Old Oct 9, 2022 | 07:26 PM
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From: Imperial Pa
Car: 89 formula 350
Engine: 5.7
Re: Think its a freeze plug leaking but? Help please.

Originally Posted by aliceempire
There's a freeze plug directly above the starter. I can't tell by the picture what you have leaking but take the starter out and look. The exhaust manifold may be in the way of knocking it out and changing it. I've never changed one in vehicle before so others may have more experience to give.
Thanks. I thought the plugs were bigger. That is just above the starter. Can't see it without a phone camera. Need to find out how big those plugs are.
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Old Oct 9, 2022 | 07:31 PM
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From: Milwaukee
Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: Think its a freeze plug leaking but? Help please.

Originally Posted by Briar
Thanks. I thought the plugs were bigger. That is just above the starter. Can't see it without a phone camera. Need to find out how big those plugs are.

it's certainly not 3/4 of an inch. 1 5/8 is the standard
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Old Oct 9, 2022 | 07:36 PM
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From: Imperial Pa
Car: 89 formula 350
Engine: 5.7
Re: Think its a freeze plug leaking but? Help please.

Originally Posted by aliceempire

it's certainly not 3/4 of an inch. 1 5/8 is the standard
Thats what I thought! So what is this orifice thats leaking. The starter is only what max 5 inches? Ill put a tape on that if need be. No way that opening is over an inch.
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Old Oct 9, 2022 | 07:54 PM
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From: Milwaukee
Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: Think its a freeze plug leaking but? Help please.

There's the threaded hole that's used for the knock sensor.. look at the 880 on my block just "above" it. There's an identical port on the d/s that is just a plug. If you still have the giant monstrosity starter the automatics were equipped with then it may be above that.

Last edited by aliceempire; Oct 9, 2022 at 07:59 PM.
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Old Oct 9, 2022 | 10:13 PM
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Car: 88 Camaro
Engine: L98 350
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Think its a freeze plug leaking but? Help please.

That leak is above the starter solenoid, maybe a leak from the head running down on the threaded boss on the block?
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Old Oct 10, 2022 | 12:10 AM
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From: honolulu
Car: '86MCSS
Engine: 396 .030"
Transmission: M20
Re: Think its a freeze plug leaking but? Help please.

Looking at the indentation on the block, there is a freeze plug above that area. Space would be the only limitation to replace that particular one while still in the car. The ones under the engine mounts and between the block and transmission...well that's another story. Unfortunately if one is starting to go, it's probably a good indication that they all have some form of corrosion starting. Last time I had the engine out to change bearings due to a rod knock, I replaced the 2 between the trans and the block regardless of it's condition with some brass freeze plugs.
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Old Oct 10, 2022 | 12:05 PM
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From: Imperial Pa
Car: 89 formula 350
Engine: 5.7
Re: Think its a freeze plug leaking but? Help please.

Thanks for the help. Turns out it was puddling there. Its leaking from the head...
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Old Oct 13, 2022 | 01:15 PM
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From: long Island NY
Car: 1989 iroc z
Engine: 5.7
Re: Think its a freeze plug leaking but? Help please.

That plug above the starter is a very common leak on these cars. I think the coolant sits in the valley and rots it out. Just changed mine.


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