Freeze plug removal

[70spider]

Hello, l have a bit of a problem with the freeze plugs. When I picked up the block from the machinist a couple of weeks ago he said I should replace the freeze plugs do to them being a bit rusty. After waiting on all the bearings, seals and gaskets I decided today to remove the freeze plugs, however like everything else with a Fiat , I ran into a problem. I have removed freeze plugs before using the method of pushing one side in and flipping the plug then grabing it with pliers and puling it out. This worked to perfection on the fist one that is next to the 1st cylinder, the others were not cooperating due to almost no space between the back of the plug and the cylinder wall, thus not allowing my flip method to work. Help, has anyone out there remove the freeze plugs, I would appriciate the help. Thanks Pesto

[Odoyle]

Stud welder and slide hammer may be an option.

[So Cal Mark]

the machinist cleaned the block with the freeze plugs in place? You may want to clean it again with the freeze plugs removed to get all of the debris out of the cooling jackets

[70spider]

After removing the plugs I was going to blow it out with an air compressor. I do not have any local machinist, nearest desent ones are over 2 hrs away. Besides at this point frustration is setting in so I may just wait.

[JohnMc]

I was successful with just a screwdriver and hammer - probably what you did with number 1. And on number 4 I had got out by hammering the plug through the rear waterjacket plate - so it popped out, at least that is what I remember.

On my '70 I was so surprised how much crap was behind the rear big waterjacket plate - pulled out maybe a pound of sand/debris. Probably just an area where all the debris is deposited - no coolant filters like some diesels have.

[JohnMc]

I put in brass plugs. Like the way they stand out and should not have issues - but mainly like the look. Shot them with some clear high temp engine paint to keep them shiny (without any work).

[70spider]

Well, I did end up getting them out, what I did tap on one side of them to loosen them a bit, then I drilled a small hole, screwed a self tapping machine bolt and then use a claw hammer to pry them out. It took a few tries but I got the out. I now have some 40mm brass plugs, I was going to polish them up, they should look amazing against the British racing green I painted the block.