2.9 v6 freeze plug

[H20mikey]

Have a 2.9 v6 engine in a 1990 ford ranger and want to know how to change the freeze plug without take the engine out

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Depends if you can get a straight shot at it. If you can't there are expanding rubber plugs that can be used. If using the rubber plug, it's critical to get it in straight, same as a metal plug. I've used several rubber plugs with good results, other than the first one which went in crooked....oops

 

[sgtsandman]

Don't forget to make sure the hole is clean and smooth too. Rubber or metal, a rough dirty sealing surface is going to cause a leak.

 

[franklin2]

I tried this with the rubber plugs, it didn't work. I found the block has a web behind the plug and would not let the rubber plug go in far enough into the block.

The ones I tried this on were on the side about midway. They held for a little bit and one started leaking. I fiddled with it again and it held for a month or so and then it popped out on the road and lost all the coolant. I ended up pulling the engine, glad I did because I found they were all rusty and there is one on the back of the engine that is covered by the bellhousing. It was seeping also.

 

[RonD]

Never ran into a block, left or right side, that wouldn't fit a rubber expansion plug all the way, odd

Yes, the rubber expansion plugs work great, only reason car makers don't use them is that they are 10 times the price, lol, $1 vs $10

Get the old one out, you CAN push it inside the block it WILL NOT hurt anything being in there, it will just sit at the bottom of the block it can't block any passages
As said clean the hole
Put in correct size expansion plug and tighten it up
Do not over tighten it, its only holding 16psi at most