Waaaah……..Core plugs :(

[AndyCA09]

Hi all….

Has anyone come across this ‘bodge’?

After finishing the body strip down of ‘Gertie’ I decided to run the engine one last time before stripping that too….

I had noticed what appear to be filler with a bit of paint on the side of the block but had found compression was good, engine ran OK, so decided to ignore it….. However….

After 10 mins of ticking over I shut Gertie down checked oil, water etc and saw the rad was low. I put a bit more water in the rad and It promptly begun pouring out of the side of the block.

The filler (it was) was holding the core plugs in place and they had been tack welded also. WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS 😕 .
Looks like I’ll have to do a full engine strip down as well now 🙁

My question (other than the above) is does anyone know of a spare 1508cc engine?(1959/60) or does anyone have any suggestions of what to do next… The engine/ gearbox is coming out in the next day or so to investigate more.

Cheers, and Happy Camping,

Andy.

[russellwheeler]

Core plug sets come up occasionally on ebay, I guess the old ones rusted and were bodged.

[jaforward]

Hi,
I managed to get a set from Vauxhall not that long ago for a 1598cc , they were a size that was used by a later engine. I will have a dig around for part numbers for you. You could try your local engine machine shop it’s the sort of thing they will have a box of odd and sods. My late father (time served motor engineer) always covered the backs of the new core plugs in hylomar sealant before fitting. Not sure if it helped them survive longer he was working on cars before antifreeze was an all round year thing.
Yours
John F

[AndyCA09]

Thanks John

I still have to ‘drop’ the engine to assess the damage. It still puzzles me as to why you’d weld them in 😕

There was an awful lot of gunge inside the water jacket… looks like rusty ‘mud’ 🙁

That’s my job for the weekend. I’m holding fire on anymore bodywork at the mo.

[jaforward]

Hi Andy,
If the coolant froze and pushed the core plugs out I doubt if they would be a tight fit anymore. Maybe someone tacked them in rather than replaceing them ?
John

[AndyCA09]

Maybe John,

I’ll find out a little more after the weekend.

Regards, Andy

[russellwheeler]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Core-Plug-Set-Bedford-CA-Victor-FC-FBX-VX4-90-1-5-64-67-/150613869380?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2311494344

set of core plugs on ebay !!

[AndyCA09]

Thanks!

Mine is a 1508cc (the earlier/ smaller size) so I don’t know whether these will fit. I have the works manual for the mk1 but also the later supplement so will have to look in the specs to see if they share the same sized plugs. Thanks very much for bringing these to my attention. Will report back on the findings at the weekend.

[russellwheeler]

I doubt the blocks will be different between the 1508 and 1598 engines. Other things fit, such as the distributor – I can’t see bedford casting a different block. I have found on ebay things listed for the mk2 when they also fit the mk1. Electronic ignition for one. (The pre 60 vehicles do have a different engine – this is quite different)

[AndyCA09]

The outcome of this weekend’s spanner twiddling…… 🙄 [attachment=3:3fops8hj]Cwncarn 019.jpg[/attachment:3fops8hj]
With filler removed.[attachment=2:3fops8hj]Cwncarn 016.jpg[/attachment:3fops8hj]
Bodged welding and ‘missed’ crack extending another 4″[attachment=1:3fops8hj]Cwncarn 023.jpg[/attachment:3fops8hj][attachment=0:3fops8hj]Cwncarn 024.jpg[/attachment:3fops8hj]
Hmmmm…. What do you all think? Yep, probably the same conclusion I’ve made 😥

Back to the drawing board, methinks…………..

[russellwheeler]

Its not just a simple case of swapping out the core plugs then !!!

[AndyCA09]

‘Fraid not!!! 😯

Anyone out there in CA World with a spare engine in need of a very good home?

‘Gertie’ would appreciate a new heart from a fellow owner with a BIG heart 😀

[russellwheeler]

There are specialist companies that can repair damage like this – if the engine is a good runner, it might be a viable alternative to putting in an unknown one – You should also be able to drop a 1598 engine in – rather than hanging out for a 1508 (if you have to swap)

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