93Bandit

So long story short, I ran into complications while trying to change my water pump today, and the truck is going to have to sit for a few days/nights. It's cold where I am and gets below freezing at night, which is where my problem is... I was expecting to get the truck done today and flushed the block and heater core. Later I realized I wasn't going to get it done, and then I realized I have straight water in the motor now and it's going to freeze tonight. So I plugged the passenger side water passage in the timing cover, and removed the thermostat and poured coolant/water through the intake until I saw the water coming out of the timing cover turn green. I then plugged that hole and unplugged the timing cover hole on the drivers side and repeated the process. Do you thing that is enough to keep the block from freezing and blowing out my freeze plugs? Should I unplug the timing cover holes and let it run out until it stops coming out or should I leave them plugged?

I do not have an air compressor to blow the water out of the system. My room mate does but he isn't home and I'm not going to use his tools without him being here as he is very particular. Plus, he just bought it and I don't think he has it put together yet...

bubbabud

Just drain it and be done until you complete repairs.

93Bandit

How so? As far as I know how to completely drain it would be to either use air or pull freeze plugs. I don't have shop air and I'm not pulling the freeze plugs.

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

Does it have a block heater ?

93Bandit

No.

88xlt

Did they quit putting drain plugs on the sides of the engine block? Honestly I don't know I never paid attention. As far as I knew they still had them.

93Bandit

I didn't know they ever put drain plugs in blocks.

88xlt

They certainly did. I thought they still did, but I guess I quit using them so I didn't pay attention.

I think the ones ford used would take a 3/8 or 7/16 wrench. About the level of the soft plugs, one on each side of the block. They could be real tough to get started turning if they were removed and then screwed back in too tight.

93Bandit

I searched for drain plugs online and found a lot of people stating that they are difficult to remove and a lot of times they strip. So I'm not going to risk stripping those plugs. I'm crossing my fingers hoping I got enough coolant back into it.

88xlt

I don't think the plugs would strip in the block. But you need a six point socket so you don't round off the head of the bolt. Then you need to get a lot of leverage(torque) on the socket. Just an FYI, if you ever find them and try to remove them.