So, finally got the truck all ready to go since rebiild. I got 1100 trouble free miles on it.  Been pushing it hard, trying to weed out any bugs or issues. 

 

Hook up the 5th wheel,  get going down the road,  4 miles....4 #@&#$! miles...

And I blow a freeze plug on right under turbo on the water jacket. 4 miles....

 

Now, before ya ask, yes, I replaced all the freeze plugs during the build. However, I had them done at the machine shop when the block was getting worked over. 

 

So, now what...roadside assistance got me home....but for some reason I don't think the answer is to just put in a new freeze plug and then "go see what happens."

 

I will be calling the machine shop on Monday to see their thoughts,  and to give them a piece of my mind. 

 

Any thoughts on better freeze plugs? I know a block off plate would probably just cause a different one to blow...Can I trust that the rest of the plugs where done properly?  

 

Once it is fixed, how do I load the motor down to the point where it would be the same as towing the 5th wheel so I can test it out without risking the trailer or having to have both towed back home.

Find a place that has a dyno. Might cost a few bucks but it's cheaper than a tow. That's what we do at work after a overhaul. Put the truck on the dyno run it to break it in and make sure it's a-ok before the customer gets it.

And when I say dyno I don't mean run a hard pull and measure torque hp # style run. The rollers are loaded and it's a steady run for a period of time to simulate real world working conditions.

http://www.xtremediesel.com/attitude-performance-1009-bolt-on-side-freeze-plug.aspx

 

Any thoughts on putting these in instead of the regular ones?

 

I'd do the 3 on side and the one in back....

Or, how about one of these....

 

http://www.enterpriseengine.com/product/cummins-coolant-water-bypass-kit-89-02-dodge-3-9-5-9-4bt-6bt-12v-24v-diesel-engine-12-24v-water-bypass-kit/

 

 

Edited June 11, 20178 yr by Mariocand

I like the billet style freeze plug in the first link. Like there is no worry if installed correct or not due to its design. However, its a bit pricey and I wouldn't need the shine bling aspect, so I would try finding some less money that made of steel. Especially since I think steel parts for a cooling system is better. Mixing aluminum and steel tends to make metals corrode. JMHO.

 

btw, I'm glad it happened 4 miles and not 200 miles away. Lol

Edited June 11, 20178 yr by JAG1

After checking all my before and after pictures, I believe that the shop didnt push the freeze plugs in far enough. They where only about half way in compared to the ones when I pulled the motor out. 

 

I am sure that these will fix the issue... I also did a retaining plate from Industrial Injection across the back since that one was still good. Not sure how I would have got that out to begin wirg. 

Those are some real nice looking freeze plugs.  I bet you would never have to worry about them blowing out.

 

L8tr

d

 Original ones 

Ones put it in at machine shop. 

 

Edited June 15, 20178 yr by Mariocand

No where near as deep as original.  I can understand why one came out.

 

L8tr

D

12 hours ago, SilverMoose said:

Those are some real nice looking freeze plugs.  I bet you would never have to worry about them blowing out.

 

L8tr

d

 

Might be true... Sure won't blow out when it freezes either. 

I like to rtv the bolt heads. Fyi

I had no idea your engine was getting ready for a beauty pageant. lol

 

It's a winner

1 hour ago, Mopar1973Man said:

 

Might be true... Sure won't blow out when it freezes either. 

 

I definitely took that into consideration when I went this route. However, where I am living at for the forseeable future makes a freeze blow out negligable since it may get into the 20's only a couple times a year. I always have the coolant at 70/30 as well. 

 

I spent 7 years in Fairbanks, AK with a 3rd gen 6.7 Cummims and never had issues with it freezing. Although, I did have way more heating elements in it than this one.  Besides the block heater in the water jacket,  I also had heating pads on the oil and tranny pan and one under each battery all ran to a 4 way plug. Even when the kids or dogs unpluged the truck at -40, no issues, except for batteries not having enough power to cycle heater grid. Usually had to plug it all in for a hour or 2 to get her going again.