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freeze plug...

To: "Triumphs" <triumphs@autox.team.net>,
Subject: freeze plug...
From: "Bill Miller" <millerb@ivwnet.com>
Date: Sat, 18 May 2002 11:00:30 -0500
Ok listers, help me out here....
I don't understand what just happened.

66 Spitfire MK2  1147

My first drive on the newly rebuilt head.

Machine shop welded up several cracks, flattened it, and ceramic coated it.
This was a very good machine shop that does work for even some of the race
teams here.  I trust their reputation.

I put an hour or so in the garage of run time prior to driving it (it has
been non stop raining in Indiana for a month)  Today, no rain, so I drove to
the gas station and around town for about an hour.

Heading home, I was pushing it a little hard - 4500rpm, about 75mph  -  all
the sudden - *poof* white smoke pouring out back.  Then out the shifter
boot.  Definitely just antifreeze.  Since I was very close, I drove it home.

When I got back lifted the bonnet, I slow topped off the radiator (mostly
empty) and noticed steam and antifreeze pour out the rear of the head.  I
blew out a freeze plug.  The big one closest to the firewall.  How do you
blow out a freeze plug?
This thing is not rusty, it looks like new (except for the paint on the
outside)  Would a machine shop replace freeze plugs when working on a head?
I am *hoping* they did and possibly put one in that was slightly too small.
It is stamped on the back 1-47/64

What do I do?  Put in a new freeze plug and hope for the best?  Replace all
the freeze plugs?  Pull the head and have it checked again?  I was planning
on driving this to the Mid-Ohio event in June, but am now having serious
thoughts about going. It would be a 250+ mile drive and 5-6 hours.

What in the world could cause this to happen?

Thanks,
A frustrated Bill in Indiana

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