Where did the Freeze plug go?

[bucwheat]

Well this is a new one for you,tried to put in a new freeze plug on the hole just above the oil filter,never installed one before and everyone said it was hard to do,I lined it up using a large socket poped it one time with a hammer and into the block it went! Tried to get hold of it with a flex magnet for 1/2 hour then realized it was aluminum .Now what? can I retrieve it by taking off the oil pan or is it bad news and I need a new Truck?

[gbear]

It is now inside the water jacket of the engine. Removing the pan will not help you access it. you will just have to fish it to the edge of the hole and fold it to get it out. When removing them it is better to try to roll them out with a pair of pliers. A little late for that now. Good luck

Jim

[bucwheat]

I think I.m going to try and flush it closer to the hole by filling it back up with water,I can't feel it with my finger and have no Idea how big the water jacket is.

[bucwheat]

Originally Posted by bucwheat

Well this is a new one for you,tried to put in a new freeze plug on the hole just above the oil filter,never installed one before and everyone said it was hard to do,I lined it up using a large socket poped it one time with a hammer and into the block it went! Tried to get hold of it with a flex magnet for 1/2 hour then realized it was aluminum .Now what? can I retrieve it by taking off the oil pan or is it bad news and I need a new Truck?

Can anyone pull up a picture of the water jacket just above the oil filter on 97 7.3? Thanks for any help .

[adfields]

It's not that big in there, get a claw grabber and go fishing for it. When you get it so you can, latch some good vice grips on it and roll it out. I don't think I would flush it around, you may push it the wrong way.

[bucwheat]

Originally Posted by adfields

It's not that big in there, get a claw grabber and go fishing for it. When you get it so you can, latch some good vice grips on it and roll it out. I don't think I would flush it around, you may push it the wrong way.

I was afraid of pushing it farther into the block,that's why I was asking for a picture or diagram.good Idea with the claw grabber,I'll try that this weekend.Another question would it end up being a problem if left in ?Is there any internals it would affect?

[adfields]

I have left one in once and it was fine but you run a risk of blocking or restricting a passage. This could make a hot spot in the motor and damage so it's best to get it out.

If you think about 4 coffee cans lined up in a box with a lid on it. the space between the can sides and the box is the coolant jacket. The plug cant go down as the bottom of the box wont let it, cant go up as the lid wont let it. It can go to the front, back or maybe to the valley side of the box if it's the thin type of plug. I think it's about 3/4 inch at the narrow point cylinder (coffee can) to the side of the block and about 1/2 inch between the cylinders.

[bucwheat]

Thanks ever so much ADFIELDS,you don't know how much you helped me ,I will try the claw grabber Sat. never thought of that. May have to go to Sears to find one. I wil PM you and let you know how it went,thanks again Buddy.

[adfields]

Welcome and happy hunting.

[95and05]

my 7.3 is still a bare block right now i will get pics and post them hear for you tomorrow night when i get back from the shop. i used long SKINNY needle nose pliers to get mine where i could work with it then tougher needle nose to grab and fold it. good hunting