Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Small freeze plug at back of head

[scotty-u]

I've searched and read the posts on replacing the small freeze plug at the rear of the head. Has anyone done this lately? The last post was from 2005, and I can't beleive that no one has spoken up on the subject since then. What did you remove (if anything) in order to do this. Special tools, or the homemade and handy variety? I've got to get the wife's truck up and running, so I can get mine back.

 

[coreyallan]

I hate that job!! I blew mine 2years ago but I remember what I did to fix it, kinda. I didnt remove anything from the engine. First I made sure I had a point of reference as far as the depth of the freeze plug so I could duplicate it on the installation. I used a small head 90 degree drill w a shortened bit, dirlled a small hole in it, threaded a stought metal screw into it, and popped it out with a cats paw or somthing like that. I then cleaned out the hole with a spiral brush and mabye some emery cloth. If I remember correctly the freeze plug fits nicely on the end of a 1/4" short sockett extention, ether that or I used a 7/32-1/4 drive sockett or something to that effect. At some point my buddy helped w a couple steps, one on the top of the engine and one under the truck. I believe I used some locktite 333 and tapped it in w a small ball peen hammer. That was the most tedious part!!!!, let that set and then applied nice layer of belzona over the freeze plug for some piece of mind, but in hind sight that probibly wasnt such good idea... . No problems ever sence. .