water Jacket 49 dodge

[Michael_Blackburn]

do you recommend lubricating the water jacket on my 49 Dodge Coronet  before installing new one or just put it in ?  Also Napa has 3 listings for freeze plugs for my car is that what I need or are they all alike? never messed with freeze plugs Before. don't want to sound like a idiot. Lol

[JACK M]

We assume that you mean "core plugs"

No such thing as a freeze plug. Even though most people call them that.

If a core plug pops out because of freezing it usually means that you got lucky.

[CarlLaFong]

You are talking about the water distribution tube, I assume?? No need to lube it unless it makes it easier to install. Core plugs (don't worry, half the people call them freeze plugs, even though that is technically incorrect) are usually two styles, flat and cup shaped. Determine which type you need and then measure the size. Any decent parts store will have a Dorman section where you can find plugs in every size and configuration

[Rusty_OToole]

Core plugs are a stock item in any good parts store, they are used in all engines and come in a few standard sizes. Measure the size of the hole.  The ones in your Dodge are the flat type, actually they are shaped like a shallow bowl. You fit them into the hole with the dome out. Then use a drift and a hammer to drive them in. This flattens them out and makes them grip tight. You should use a little sealant around the edge.

 

The water tube, you just slide into place. No need to fasten it or use any sealant.

[Guest]

Flat or dished core plugs are technically called  "WELCH PLUGS"  the cup shaped ones don't seem to have a specific name.

I have installed them for years and never ever used a sealer and never had one leak even though some have been in place for over 60 years.

[Hudsy Wudsy]

Yeah, sometimes it's best to stress proper nomenclature, other times it's pointless. So, the device that you will be inserting into your engine is most often called a water distribution tube. On the other hand, the round things that you will be pounding into the side of your block seem to have different common names in different parts of the country. Technically, and most correctly, they are known as welch plugs. Here in Minnesota, they have most often been called "frost plugs".

Edited June 23, 2018 by Hudsy Wudsy (see edit history)

[CarlLaFong]

Semantics can be confusing. In the package, they are called welch plugs. Once installed into the block, they are still welch plugs but they are also core plugs, functionally.

Edited June 22, 2018 by CarlLaFong (see edit history)

[Spinneyhill]

Yes, originally core plugs were actually pipe plugs. Then there is a story about how they were originally thought up in adversity (a pipe plug fell out of a core hole) by the Welch brothers of the Welch Motor Car Company of Pontiac, Michigan. They patented the domed disk shape.

[mike6024]

 

1949 DODGE D-29, D-30 FLATHEAD SIX WATER DISTRIBUTION TUBE

Water distribution tube for all the 1949 Dodge 6 cylinder engines. Wayfarer, Meadowbrook and Coronet. When these things go wrong bad things start happening, ie overheating water loss, etc. Pull the old one out the front of the block and slide this brand new reproduction in and your back in business. We have been making these for years and have sold a lot of them. Coated in Cosmolene for protection, which is why it looks ugly!  Link -  TUBE