Freeze Plugs??

[Connellt]

How hard is it to install freeze plugs on a '99 Chevy Caprice?

[inafogg]

it depends on which plug is leaking.some can be a bitch,others are'nt too bad.what engine are we talking about??

[RageCage]

Connellt,

FWIW, on my 85 with the 305 engine, I took a freeze plug out to drain the block. No big deal with the one I removed and replaced. Can't remember if there are any plugs in awkward spots.

rc

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by Connellt

How hard is it to install freeze plugs on a '99 Chevy Caprice?

'99 or '89?

There was no official Caprice in North America from the end of 1996 forth. However, one could be had in the Middle East and it's actually a badge engineered Holden Commodore.

If it's an '89, pretty much the most difficult ones to get to are the ones at the back of the block. These require transmission removal.

On either side of the block there are two freeze plugs. One of these (the forward one) is underneath the engine mount bracket, so you will have to remove this in order to remove the freeze plug. There are also two freeze plugs on the front of the engine block, one under each cylinder head, outboard of the water pump. These are perhaps the easiest ones to get to, although you will have to remove the engine accessories to get to them.

On the passenger side, it will be necessary to remove the starter to get to the aft side freeze plug. ON the driver side, it might be necessary to remove the exhaust manifold.

Plan on a whole day if you've never done this before.

Also, the temptation might be great to leave the old plugs in the block instead of remove them - don't be seduced by the dark side! Use Channellocks and ViseGrips to remove them from the block. When you beat the old plugs inward to remove them, don't beat too hard or you might damage the engine. Be extremely careful here. The cylinder bores for #5 and #6 only allow enough clearance to barely clear the plug into the block - if you hammer hard, you might just hammer through the cylinder wall!