I couldn’t find a specific thread on how to do this before I started. Maybe I just don’t search well.
I’m pulling this out of my main thread so somebody may be able to find and benefit from this.
My third from the front plug started weeping, so I decided I had to get them before they blew out.
This is behind the oil filter
1st off, I’m doing this with the engine in. Because of that, I’m not doing the 6th plug at the back of the block. You need to pull the engine to get that one, so I’m rolling the dice till I have to do that for some other reason.
Note: my engine uses 1-5/8” plugs, and I went with brass. The steel ones in there lasted 40+ yrs, so that would’ve been good too. I just went with brass cause that’s what I got from my favorite vendor.
To do this, remove the following from the stock 226:
I plugged the uncovered holes with tape to keep stuff from falling in.
Drain the radiator. You should drain the block also, but I may not do that. I’ll edit the post if that’s what I do. Better to do it though.
Drive the old plugs out. I ignored the Manual’s instructions on drilling and cutting. I used a screwdriver and hammer. You tube shows this step plenty.
Cleaning the holes would be a lot easier with the engine out. My final solution was using the flat side of a standard stubby screwdriver, working around the hole. Not the end of the screwdriver that could gouge the block. I followed that with a wire wheel on a dremel. I use the flexible shaft attach for my dremel for this. I used a small mirror and flashlight to inspect the holes. I’m not sure how perfect these need to be, so I err on the more time spent here. Time will tell if they are good enough. I found this link helpful:
Felpro
After I got the holes clean enough (hopefully) I started the re-installation.
Here is what I used for sealant. I think it’s permatex 3 down under
I just followed the instructions. Coated the block surface (using the mirror to check for holidays), coated the plug, and waited 2 min. I then set the plug in and aligned as best I could.
TIP: Use rubbing alcohol to clean this stuff off your tools after. Works great.
Here’s what I used to seat them.
It’s a 1-1/8” socket with an od of 1.49”. Sits just at the bottom of the plug. Closest thing I could find. The hammer needs some heft to it, cause there’s not much room to swing doing this with the engine in. Normal carpenter hammer was a no go. I found this lying in a box of hammers we have. I just drove them in, keeping them straight as they went in. Pretty tight fit, and gotta hammer pretty hard. No action shots, cause I only have two hands.
Here’s how they came out:
1st two (from the front)
Look ok, I think.
3rd one, which is the one that was leaking.
This one is a bit deeper than it should be. It’s the 1st one I did, and I installed before I took off the battery tray. Hopefully it’ll be ok as is.
Last two
I think they look ok also.
Now, I just have to let them sit a day, put everything back on that I took off, refill with new coolant, and give it a go. I’ll know soon if I’m successful, or if they leak, and this turns out to have been a “Practice Run”…
After a day, could be two, I refilled with coolant and started the engine up. 4 out of 5 seem good
. The second one from the front looks like it’s gonna have to be a do over. Small weep / leak. And I thought #2 looked pretty good. Live n learn. Never done this before, so should be happy batting 800. Luckily I should only have to remove the oil fill tube to replace this one Oil filter, battery tray, and generator should be ok staying in place.
I’ll edit this post when I tackle this redo. May be a couple weeks.
Thanks
I’m pulling this out of my main thread so somebody may be able to find and benefit from this.
My third from the front plug started weeping, so I decided I had to get them before they blew out.
This is behind the oil filter
1st off, I’m doing this with the engine in. Because of that, I’m not doing the 6th plug at the back of the block. You need to pull the engine to get that one, so I’m rolling the dice till I have to do that for some other reason.
Note: my engine uses 1-5/8” plugs, and I went with brass. The steel ones in there lasted 40+ yrs, so that would’ve been good too. I just went with brass cause that’s what I got from my favorite vendor.
To do this, remove the following from the stock 226:
Battery and Battery Tray. Mine unbolted.
Oil filter and Bracket
Oil fill Tube. clean block before pulling and twisting gently
Generator. 3 bolts
I try to remove as little as possible, cause I tend to break stuff or forget how to put it back, but this seems to be the minimum.I plugged the uncovered holes with tape to keep stuff from falling in.
Drain the radiator. You should drain the block also, but I may not do that. I’ll edit the post if that’s what I do. Better to do it though.
Drive the old plugs out. I ignored the Manual’s instructions on drilling and cutting. I used a screwdriver and hammer. You tube shows this step plenty.
Cleaning the holes would be a lot easier with the engine out. My final solution was using the flat side of a standard stubby screwdriver, working around the hole. Not the end of the screwdriver that could gouge the block. I followed that with a wire wheel on a dremel. I use the flexible shaft attach for my dremel for this. I used a small mirror and flashlight to inspect the holes. I’m not sure how perfect these need to be, so I err on the more time spent here. Time will tell if they are good enough. I found this link helpful:
Felpro
After I got the holes clean enough (hopefully) I started the re-installation.
Here is what I used for sealant. I think it’s permatex 3 down under
I just followed the instructions. Coated the block surface (using the mirror to check for holidays), coated the plug, and waited 2 min. I then set the plug in and aligned as best I could.
TIP: Use rubbing alcohol to clean this stuff off your tools after. Works great.
Here’s what I used to seat them.
It’s a 1-1/8” socket with an od of 1.49”. Sits just at the bottom of the plug. Closest thing I could find. The hammer needs some heft to it, cause there’s not much room to swing doing this with the engine in. Normal carpenter hammer was a no go. I found this lying in a box of hammers we have. I just drove them in, keeping them straight as they went in. Pretty tight fit, and gotta hammer pretty hard. No action shots, cause I only have two hands.
Here’s how they came out:
1st two (from the front)
Look ok, I think.
3rd one, which is the one that was leaking.
This one is a bit deeper than it should be. It’s the 1st one I did, and I installed before I took off the battery tray. Hopefully it’ll be ok as is.
Last two
I think they look ok also.
Now, I just have to let them sit a day, put everything back on that I took off, refill with new coolant, and give it a go. I’ll know soon if I’m successful, or if they leak, and this turns out to have been a “Practice Run”…
After a day, could be two, I refilled with coolant and started the engine up. 4 out of 5 seem good
. The second one from the front looks like it’s gonna have to be a do over. Small weep / leak. And I thought #2 looked pretty good. Live n learn. Never done this before, so should be happy batting 800. Luckily I should only have to remove the oil fill tube to replace this one Oil filter, battery tray, and generator should be ok staying in place.I’ll edit this post when I tackle this redo. May be a couple weeks.
Thanks
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