When I took engine out for body work on 56 Ford, I did some cleanup. It will be awhile before I remove it again for rebuild. Meanwhile I want it to be functional and look good. I removed a drain plug (the ones with ears that drain radiator fluid when you open them). The one on the drivers side by the road draft tube came out but there was no hole into the block. It appears this original block (ECG) had only one drain valve on the passenger side. It appears the drivers side had a frost plug, but a very deep frost plug. It must have started weeping. Someone picked up another valve and threaded it into what ever is plugged into the original hole. It must have worked, until I came along and stepped in the middle of it.

So was it common do use a very deep frost plug (im guessing 5/8" deep) in place of a drain valve? Whatever it is is very thin and the fitting was not threaded that well into it. It may have stopped a leak if they used sealer on it, I never had it long enough to know if it was a problem. Kind of like pulling the cork out of the dam. So regardless...anyone have any ideas what this may be all about?

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

The hole is probably clogged with rust and sediment.  Poke a screwdriver in the hole and it should open up.  Happens quite frequently in an old engine.  Warning - don't stand in front of the hole if there is water in th block.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Thanks Paul, Actually it does look like it could be a build up behind where the plug threaded in. I will carefully poke around a little.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

You nailed it Paul. When I saw your post, it made sense because of how deep the frost plug appeard to be. No frost plug I ever saw was that deep. So I took a punch and tried  little harder and it broke a lot of gunk loose. Thanks a million. With all the radiator and heater hoses off the engine, where is the best place to add water to flush out all the gunk I broke loose before closing the system back up?

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's