[thombr25]

I just had the heads (69' date code) machined and "freshened up" in November on my 440. I got the heads back and threw them on the car and everything seemed fine before I stored the car for winter (live in Wisconsin). I just fired the car up this past weekend and noticed that the front freeze plug on the drivers side head and the rear freeze plug on the passanger side have a small coolant leak (more so on the front drivers side). Does anyone know if this is a leak that might improve with more hours on the new heads or if once they leak they will always leak? Also, is there an easy fix to this problem without replacing the plugs (clearance issues on the passanger side)? I called the machine shop and they said that they would fix the plugs if I brought them in but I hate to loose another weekend ripping the heads off and putting them back on.

 

[Bearhawke]

If it were me: if it means pulling the heads off to access the freeze plugs; please do it although you might be able to R & R the latter while the former are still on the car.

 

[dana44]

It would be a shame to think an engine overheated and damaged itself because of a couple cheap freeze plugs and $60 or less for a set of head gaskets. If it were only the front one, I would say change it out on the engine, but that lack of room on the rear one is not fun.

 

[thombr25]

All of these replies are pushing me to the sad truth that these heads are going to have to come off again :frustrated:

 

[dana44]

Speaking from experience, it is always hindsight that would have saved me more money, time, and peace of mind knowing it was done right after finding a problem.

 

[Bearhawke]

Speaking from experience, it is always hindsight that would have saved me more money, time, and peace of mind knowing it was done right after finding a problem.

dana44 speaks words of wisdom here..............even if they're not 'nice' words.

 

[Ridener]

yeeeeeep, I'd kick myself in the groin if I seriously injured my motor cause I didn't want to do it right