Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I've had very good luck using the rubber freeze plugs which are tightened by a nut in the middle. Any parts store carries them and they expand out to cover a number of sizes.

Hi All

I only ever heard of them as 'Welsh' plugs in Aust. I have no idea why (any sugestions?)

I saw a real stubborn one removed from a 50 Packard block in two pieces.
First using a small cold chisel (similar idea to the screwdriver hole Eric suggested above). In this case, it was used to cut right around the outside of the vertical face - remove that piece.
Next a hacksaw blade was used to cut a slot in the remaining ring (being VERY careful not to score the sealing surface on the block). Once cut, then tapping the outside edge of the plug near the newly cut slot to break the seal.

It was tight! And needed lots of patience and care.

Cheers

Do the V8 core holes have a ridge the plug seats against? If not, the way I have seen them remove when there is no seating ridge is to tap one side with a drift to swivel the plug in the hole, and then grab the edge (the opposite side) that sticks out with a pair of pliers and pull the plug out.

Go to a GM dealer (while they are still in business!), Cadillac preferred, and get a package of their cooling system horse pills ($6). Drop a couple of them in the radiator, per the instructions on the card they come on. The problem will go away. These are the miracle cure of the ages, saved Cadillac from scrapping the HT-4100 engine in its infancy. I have learned to put one pill in each cooling galley during the rebuild process as insurance, I learned that from an old time guy who does a lot of engines. The substance in the pills (Ginger root) will not clog nor coat your radiator or cooling passenges, and goes away after a short while in your cooling system. It works by releasing the crystals in the ginger root, they float around unti they find a leak. As the fluid (carring the Ginger root) leaks out, the crystals start attaching themselves to the area around the hole, progressively making the hole smaller and smaller until the hole is completely filled. I used these on a 2.3 Ford engine I rebult for an old Rustang I used to own, they saved my bacon on the manifold (I didn't get the gasket surfaces perfectly clean) and I drove that car every day for years after that rebuild, winter,spring, summer or fall.
Pop a couple of those in her and call back in the morning.

Russ, I forgot about the "Welsh" plugs, my father called them "Welch" plugs, but I don't think he was an Aussie!

BigKev's explanation in post #13 above is the way i always did it and i think the manual explains it that way too.

Also look for the ridge or recess in the bore of the block as he indicates. IIRC there is a ridge but i'll have to go look again at my spare block.

For a sealer i use a little bruch on permatex just for safety but it's probabaly not necessary.

Welch plug is what i always heard among the manufatureing crowd but the term rarely used in field service.

Thanks Jack for the tip on the plug diameter. I was not aware of that. Haven't had to replace one in a Packard yet.

Quote:

My dad had some black, runny sealant in an old small, brush-top, can in his tool box that never seems to fully harden.

I'm guessing that this is the modern package:

permatex.com/products/Automotive/automot ... on_Form-A-Gasket_No_3_Sealant_a.htm

However, this product:

permatex.com/products/Automotive/automot ... an_Head_Gasket_Shellac_Compound.htm

...has a similar look and feel.

Is this the kind of stuff you're talking about, Keith?

The first link.
Permatex Aviation Form a gasket No. 3.
THis is the same that is used on Chevrolet head bolts. I use it on ALL water cooled head bolts.

I also use the second link above. Goes by 2wo different names. Indian head and i can't remeber the other name rite now. Identicle bottles and ingredients.

In critical situations such as head bolts, welch plugs etc i always use the No.3 specifically. Less critical applications i use the Indian head.

RARELY if ever use it on NEW gaskets tho. Only grease on new gaskets.

Checked my spare Packard V8 block. There is no evidence of a recess or any kind of ridge cast into the left rear most welch plug bore.

The internal ridge or ledge is normally associated with the disc-type core plug and not the cup-type, V8s use the cup-type. Not certain of Packard's last use of the disc-type, probably the seniors thru 1939, the Super Eight and Twelve.