Just got done poking in two rubber expansion plugs. Don't gimmie hell for not using the brass or steel ones, please; I would have preferred to use those, but I don't have the liberty of being able to pull the whole motor out to install them, and there is NO way in hell I could knock those suckers into place with the motor in the car. Cleaned out the bores and reached into the block with my finger to scoop out all the rust and crap the stock steel plugs left (idiot P.O. ran straight water in there for a long time and rusted things badly), scraped away all the built-up scale around the backside of the holes, and I lightly sanded and then dried the bore surfaces. The rubber plugs poked in there snugly and after tightening 'em down, they feel quite secure - tried to pry them out with a screwdriver and pliers to test them, and they don't even budge. Started 'er up, burped the system let it warm up, and rev'ed it a bit - not a single drop of leakage.
Anyway ... what's the average lifespan of these buggers? I know they won't last forever of course, but I figure these neoprene boogers will last (in theory) as long as a heater hose. Just curious what everyone else's experience has been with them.
FWIW, I'm thinking of keeping a spare plugs in the car, just in case one of them decides to pop out when I'm out in the middle of nowhere. The driver's side plug actually doesn't look like it COULD pop out completely with the dipstick being in the way, but the passenger-side plug behind the starter looks to have enough room to shoot out, if it were so inclined. If I don't have any distilled water and/or antifreeze when one pops and leaves me stranded, I'll just pee into the radiator.
Anyway ... what's the average lifespan of these buggers? I know they won't last forever of course, but I figure these neoprene boogers will last (in theory) as long as a heater hose. Just curious what everyone else's experience has been with them.
FWIW, I'm thinking of keeping a spare plugs in the car, just in case one of them decides to pop out when I'm out in the middle of nowhere. The driver's side plug actually doesn't look like it COULD pop out completely with the dipstick being in the way, but the passenger-side plug behind the starter looks to have enough room to shoot out, if it were so inclined. If I don't have any distilled water and/or antifreeze when one pops and leaves me stranded, I'll just pee into the radiator.