Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing 4/4 core plugs (Ford crossflow engine)

Hello.

My 1973 model 4/4 have suffered from a number of coolant leaks. The first and most obvious was the radiator. It leaked so much it produced sweet tasting spots on the windscreen... Replaced it with a al radiator from Mulfab. The old radiator had multiple leaks and looked a bit sad so I simply replaced it. Then there was the water pump and two coolant hoses.

But there is still a leak and I now suspect one of the core plugs. There is coolant coming from the rear end of the engine and there is one plug located at a very inconvenient place - behind the flywheel! Not leaking very much but perhaps it will get worse. So, sooner or later I guess I have to fix it.

Does anyone have experience with the core plugs of the crossflow engine? Hope it is not a crack in the engine block. But it will be some work involved replacing the core plugs. Suppose it's a good idea replacing the lot when the engine's out of the car. The old coolant looked very rusty and had probably not been changed for a very long time.

Very likely the core plug Henrik.
They don't last forever and have to be replaced occasionally...

Doubt it's anything worse than a corroded core plug, especially if the coolant is rusty looking. They are pretty easy to change once you get access to them. I used to tap a sharp screwdriver through the centre of it and lever it out. Make sure the recess in the block is cleaned with a bit of emery and put a smear of sealant around the edge of the new plug making sure it's tapped in square. And not too deep, they usually sit just a fraction below flush with the block.

As above + clean the water ways out as they will be full of crud if the core plugs have never been changed before.
I've seen the crud up to the top of the core plugs!!
Cheers
John

Be careful when tapping through the core plug. I had a friend who was a bit heavy handed and hammered a screwdriver through the wall of the bore....Be gentle.

Thanks for your comments. Part of this weekend has been spent in the garage. It took some time but now it's done (almost...).

First of all, the leak was due to the plug behind the flywheel.

I took the engine out. Not too difficult as I was able to borrow a patient lift (former medical device) which now treated a new patient, my X/flow engine. Only the rear one was leaking but I replaced all four. The remaining three looked OK from outside but looked quite corroded on the inside. Most likely a matter of time for the other to start leaking.

I also replaced the front and rear crankshaft oil seals as the engine was leaking some oil. Not very much but I think the seals are the original (from 1973) so it's probably a good idea to have them replaced.

As a bonus I found the clutch disc to be a bit worn so I will replace it as well.

I always renew the core plugs whenever I have an engine out of a car.

I usually knock the top on the plug into the block and then clamp a Mole grip on the bottom and pull the plug out.

Take the opportunity to have a good poke round to get as much muck out as possible, I use some 3.2mm gas welding rods and its amazing how much muck you can rake out.

Remember to put a smear of sealant around the edge of the core plug before you refit it

Arwyn