I put together a new 383 and it hasn't been started yet, but when I turned on the electric water pump, some coolant dripped out from 2 of the freeze plugs. Is that common on an engine that's never been heated up yet?

I was thinking of using stopleak in the radiator, but I'd rather not put that stuff in there so I'm hoping it goes away once the metal heats up and expands. Any ideas?

 

It should not leak at all at any time, expanded or not.

Did you put some rtv on the bearings before you installed them?

BTW, what was your 60' time on your 12.3 run?

 

I bought the shortblock from a shop that's a sponsor here on the board.

My 60' time was 1.95. I usually ran about 2.00.

 

well then, what you should do is to call them directly and speak with them

 

I bought this block in a group purchase over 2 years ago from a company that's no longer in business (APE).

I've read that the plugs can be changed without going inside the block. Just pull them out and pound in new ones. Has anyone tried this? Can it really be done that way?

 

If you can get access to the plugs they can be changed - I would think it's almost impossible to get at them with a punch and hammer.

Freeze plugs are very easy to install and not leak, they must have had a real rookie doing their work. And if those are leaking, I would be concerned about their ability to install the oil galley plugs without leaking...thats assuming they didn't change them out to screw in plugs like most good shops do.

 

Crap. I'm going to recheck all the oil galley plugs too.