engine block : MGB & GT Forum : The MG Experience

engine block #1
saw50 steve white Lenoir, NC, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Oct 7, 2015 08:37 AM Joined 13 years ago 256 Posts

Hi Guys
Needing a little help again .
I'm new to MGB, have owned a Midget for many years and of course love it, I recently got a 1972 MGB but found out yesterday throught the help of some of you guys the engine in the car is a 68-69 engine which is fine , I have started the restore on the car , it fires up and sounds good , but after looking at the engine last night , I noticed on the right hand side of the motor , just below the head, there are some round indention in the block that are block by round pluds, not sure what this is called , but one of the plugs is missing , and it seems I can see inside of the motor, What are they, where can I get one , is this bad ?
Thanks
Steve

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Re: engine block #2
Gerry Gerry Masterman Prairieville, LA, USA Sign in to contact	Oct 7, 2015 08:52 AM Top Contributor Joined 24 years ago 25,964 Posts

Post a picture or search for a pic online to help ID the location. I suspect you are looking at the core plugs whick are opento the cooling jacket on the engine. About 1 3/4" in dia and should be 3 along just below the head and above the oilfilter

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Re: engine block #3
fast-MG.com Dave Headley Cortez, 4 corners, Colorado, USA Sign in to contact	Oct 7, 2015 08:52 AM Top Contributor Joined 15 years ago 9,605 Posts

Those are core/freeze plugs and must be there to contain the water/coolant in the engine. 1 5/8" dish type(not cup) and need to be properly installed by someone with experience. There are some available which are held in by tightening an external nut that expands the plug into the hole.

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Re: engine block #4
saw50 steve white Lenoir, NC, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Oct 7, 2015 09:51 AM Joined 13 years ago 256 Posts

I think you guys hit it, I thought it was the water jacket I was seeing, but wanted to make sure,
Dave you said there were some avaliable and they were tighten by an external nut that tightens them up , the orginal ones don't have that nut, is it just then new ones, Where can I get one ????????????

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Re: engine block #5
dickmoritz Dick Moritz Philly 'burbs, PA, USA Sign in to contact	Oct 7, 2015 09:55 AM Top Contributor Joined 14 years ago 26,273 Posts

In reply to # 3100690 by saw50 I think you guys hit it, I thought it was the water jacket I was seeing, but wanted to make sure,
Dave you said there were some avaliable and they were tighten by an external nut that tightens them up , the orginal ones don't have that nut, is it just then new ones, Where can I get one ????????????

Steve,

Here 'tis: www.dormanproducts.com/p-11852-568-010.aspx

Can be ordered at pretty much any auto parts store. Be sure to insist on genuine Dorman brand, since there are similar plugs that don't work as well. You may have to buy a box of 10, but well worth it, and you can carry one or more spares in the boot... winking smiley

Dick

Errabundi Saepe, Semper Certi
(Often wrong, but always certain)

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Re: engine block #6
ohlord Rob C A tiny Island off the coast of Washington State, N.W., USA Sign in to contact 1957 Land Rover Series I "EYEYIYI" 1957 Land Rover Series I "OVRLND" 1971 MG MGB 1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2" & more	Oct 7, 2015 09:57 AM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 28,878 Posts

Moss or other suppliers carry the correct core(not freeze) plugs
Install as shown by MGE member merchant Chris
http://www.octarine-services.co.uk/7.%20Replacing%20core%20plugs.htm
If the plug came out there was a reason not freezen

LNDRVR4X4.COM
Home of Project "INCARN8'

1957 Series 1 Land Rover electric VEHICLE CONVERSION

FIXITUPCHAP.COM
FIXITUPCHAP INCORPORATED

RD3 Radar/ Electronic Warfare Technician
VIETNAM 1969-1972

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Re: engine block #7
riley1489 Bruce H Great White North, QC, Canada Sign in to contact 1953 Jaguar XK120 1959 Riley 1.5 "King George" 1973 MG MGB	Oct 7, 2015 10:06 AM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 26,297 Posts

In reply to # 3100646 by saw50 it fires up and sounds good ,

Your statement above, I hope I don't have to write this but, do not run the engine long without coolant. winking smiley

B

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?"

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Re: engine block #8
saw50 steve white Lenoir, NC, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Oct 7, 2015 10:17 AM Joined 13 years ago 256 Posts

Thanks Rob and DIck, I will pick up a pack ,
Thanks Bruce, but I do know better , the DPO had put a new gas tank on the car and it hadn't fired up sense doing that, I juat wanted to make sure it would start and it did, I had a feeling the coolent was low , but thanks for the post, a long way to go before I get it on the road, starting on the inside, already have it stripped out , will have to replace the floor pans first and then one thing at a time, this is my Winter project.
I ahve been on the Midget side for years , but I have to say , you guys over here on the B side are really helpful as were they
Thanks again

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Re: engine block #9
dipstick Kenny Snyder (RIP) La Center, WA, USA Sign in to contact 1941 Ford N-Series 1958 MG MGA 1500 Coupe "Rosie" 1970 MG MGB GT "Pat's GT" 1971 MG MGB "Gifted To Me" & more	Oct 7, 2015 10:19 AM Top Contributor Joined 15 years ago 7,564 Posts

Examples:

Be safe out there.
Kenny

Core plugs.jpg 44.7 KB

Core Plug Dorman 560-005.jpg 10 KB

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Core plug retainer-Hap.jpg 41.4 KB

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Re: engine block #10
Gokart Rob Illingworth Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand Sign in to contact 1974 MG MGB GT 2004 MG ZR 160 "SCRUFFY"	Oct 7, 2015 10:19 AM Joined 9 years ago 1,123 Posts

Do not run motor until this is fixed!!

The doorman will work fine from what I understand but the original part was a dished (not cupped) plug. The door man is usually refered to as a temporary measure until the plug can be fixed properly but I guess paople use them as a permanent fix if they don't leak.

This covers the insertion process for an MGA but the same for a B http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/cooling/cool_105.htm

I have done 2 myself and it is not hard just make sure things are clean and you use some form of sealant for extra staying insurance, I used 2 part epoxy glue as recommended by an engine builder.

Get brass plugs rather than steel ones that rust.

If you are considering doing any engine work (recon) do it now and replace all the engine plugs when rebuilding.

There are 4 of these particular plugs on the block the worst to get at is the one at the rear of the motor which can be replaced without taking the motor out using a betson bolt http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/cooling/cool_105b.htm

Cheers Rob

Cheers Rob

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