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Are core plugs and freeze plugs the same part with two different names? 1949 288

Quote:

Core plug - Wikipedia


I have decided that I now prefer to call them Welch plugs.

I like Welch Plugs too! Never heard that one, everyone I know calls them frost plugs, my 1st acquaintance with them was in my '72 Duster when one rusted through and started leaking Prestone, replaced it but the rest of the car followed shortly after!
Oh, BTW, my Dad worked at a foundry and his job was to knock the caps off the castings that later becomes the plug's location. The sand that is inside is poured out to create the water jacket. It was a pretty hot and boring job so he and his co-workers used to challenge each other who could get them all off in as few of swings as possible. Likely a round of adult beverages was bought by the loser!

My dad told stories about being a junior Navy officer and having a squad of Marines assigned to him to keep order while the sailors were on liberty in some Caribbean port, likely Cuba. Bars and whorehouses. Of course, he had to keep tabs on the jarheads, too. Damned kids. Lots of adult beverages, I'm sure.


So now I am wondering, why Welch plugs? I mean, not enough to Google it right now, but maybe.


"Your engine has run-of-the-mill freeze plugs, but I upgraded mine to Welch plugs . . . ."

So, I did google it. I think the difference is that a welch plug is the type used in the king pin cap. It is a dished shaped disc that drops into the bore, then you peen it with a hammer so that it flattens out and creates a tight interference fit. Whereas a frost/freeze/core plug has a flange with a radiused edge and a slight taper that starts into the hole freely and then needs to be driven in for a final seal. I think I just learned something, and at my age too!
My Dad was stationed overseas during WWII, while going through basic and awaiting deployment to Europe he made the most of the British lament "They are over paid, over sexed, and over here!"

But he was still under Eisenhower.

Amusing part is the freeze/frost plug designations. I know there are instances when a plug actually does pop out and maybe prevent a block from cracking but based on the number of posts here and in other forums where folks are lamenting cracked blocks and asking for suggestions on repair or replace, there are nowhere near enough for that purpose so the term and function is limited at best.

All I have ever seen them do is rust out. I like the brass/bronze ones.


Very Welch . . . .

Here's more information about Welch plugs

hubbardspring.com/product/expansion-plugs-steel/

Certainly, more than any one person needs to know.

Note the hole geometry changes with plug diameter . . . I didn't know that!

Seems the design was by the Welch brothers, Pontiac Michigan circa 1905. Not sure I can believe the origin, but the web talks about one, or both, of the brothers fixing a car on the road with a coin. Accurate or embellished, good story anyway.

dp

Quote:

A couple popped out on my 1965 Imperial LeBaron but the block also cracked so seems they do not live up to the name "freeze plug" if they don't protect anything.