Well folks its getting to be that time of year when the temps drop at night. I was chasing water leaks all summer so I ran straight water to save money. A few nights back it hit like 35 outside and I think the ice wiggled the plug loose. Drcer side center below the header. It shot out driving, so I found it and put it back. Shot out again. So I got the expanding rubber kind for ease of install when hot. It shot out. So I got a new brass 40mm plug. I had all brass before in the 20/22R I built.

I advise everybody checks how green the coolant is and check all your freeze plugs for dribbles, rust spots on steel and corrosion on brass.

 

I did have to pull the header out to get to it. Beware of that.

 

You could've added some alcohol for a quick preventative of freezing..

 

I wasn't expecting the temps that low. It's running right now holding fluids. I'm glad I have reusable header gaskets.

 

Are your gaskets the carbon fiber graphite asbestos ones? A friend of mine had some custom made that are supposed to never blowout and you can reuse them.. Those suckers are like a 1/4" thick!

 

Lol nah, the head to header is the multi layer paper and graphite ones. But my header has a tendency to not stick to gaskets so I just reuse it. The flange gasket is the solid copper type sold in pairs for V8. I've had the best luck with the thick graphite head/header gaskets though.

 

Should be using Toyota Red coolant.

 

I've never run it before. Special additives to protect my generic parts store water pump?

 

I cant use red coolant when they make green coolant and I drive a green truck!

 

Not additives, but the right chemical mixture to protect your Japanese metal, especially the aluminum heads and the coolant passages.

 

Ahh. Good thinking nam. Ill have to change out for that next time.