[Davandy]

I have a water leak on one of the freeze plugs just above the engine support.
It’s not possible to repair it without pulling the engine out, or is there any other way to do this?

 

[GaryL]

If you can get to the freeze plug, it can be done without removing the engine, but if the support blocks it you may at least have to jack the engine up enough to gain access. Good luck. You might also try covering the leak with some J-B Weld. I have repaired a cracked block with it and it worked pretty good. If you try this, make sure the you have drained all of the coolant out of the block so the J-B Weld can cure properly without getting wet.

 

[ChevyFan]

I had to pull the engine on my old 62 GMC because of lack of access when a freeze plug went out. Never thought about using JB weld for that, have used it on other projects though with a good result.

 

[Davandy]

Here are some pictures of the hard work

 

[ChevyFan]

Wow, were those pictures taken by NASA or some satellite! They're HUGE! I'm glad they're just links becuase they would double the size of the database!

 

[Davandy]

Sorry Steve I will see if I can get them smaller.
They are taken with my digital camera 5 mega pixels

 

[Davandy]

Done :wink:

 

[ChevyFan]

Hey, that's great. Are you keeping a photo record of what you're doing? I'll do a step-by-step how to change a bad freeze-plug article.

 

[84fiero123]

I know I'm going to regret asking but.

Why didn't you just pull the motor? It looks like it would have been less work.

 

[jack77]

I gotta agree with 84fiero, looks like way more work than it had to be. at the most i would have unbolted the motor mounts and lifted the engine just enough to get to the offending plug, or maybe removed the exhaust manifold for access. pulling the engine does not require removal of the front clip, just the hood, unless you had no way of lifting the engine over the radiator support.

 

[Davandy]

I gotta agree with 84fiero, looks like way more work than it had to be. at the most i would have unbolted the motor mounts and lifted the engine just enough to get to the offending plug, or maybe removed the exhaust manifold for access. pulling the engine does not require removal of the front clip, just the hood, unless you had no way of lifting the engine over the radiator support.

I know what you mean, but it’s much easier to access the engine if the front is out of the way.
I have replaced al of the gaskets and seals, now was the time to do it I had oil leaks al over :shock:
Removing the front was an hour extra work but I have to refill the AC .

Steve it’s too late to take more pictures, I already drive around in the Suburban the work is finished.
:wink:

 

[Guest]

Wow, that's a lot of work. Great pics too. I was thinking that since you had the engine out, it's a great opportunity to get in there an do some decent preventetive maintenance to some of the harder to access areas. So how long total time was your 'burban out of commission for that project? I can see from the pics it was april 2nd, to april 11th.

 

[Davandy]

All together 20 days, waiting for parts ( 7 days ).
But I could only work on it in the evenings and in the weekends because I hade to go to work in de day time.

I replaced al of the gaskets and seals, and the timing chain, freeze plugs, and so on.
The starter was also failing some times and is replaced.