1990 Ford F150 6 cyl 4.9L, or 300 cid, Fuel Injected EngineI don't have a clear understanding of the history of this truck. Theowner is offering it to me to use if I can fix it. I really need avehicle now for work, so I'm trying my best to get it going.After doing a number of repairs to the truck, and getting it goingsort-of, I discovered two leaking freeze plugs, the front and the rear(on this inline 6). The leaks are too large to ignore, and the rearone pours directly on the starter. (The truck is missing the radiatorcap; this is probably because the former user misplaced the capbecause of constantly adding water, or he or she didn't want topressurize the cooling system.)The freeze plugs are very hard to access. I'm not even sure it's evenpossible to reach them with the engine still in the truck. So I'mwondering, is it possible to change these freeze plugs withoutremoving the engine?I'm not an auto mechanic, and I don't have a lot of tools. But I havea mechanical aptitude, and if it can be done, I can do it. But I needto know if it's reasonable to change them without removing the engine.I need to know how to proceed. Someone with experience with the enginewould know.I have to decide on a course of action. I would appreciate anyrecommendations. Has anybody changed these freeze plugs?It's a 1990 F150 with a 4.9L fuel injected engine.~~ Nehmo

I was thinking about that, epoxy of some kind. There's rust around theleaks; I'll have to clean what I can first. But almost any alternativeto replacing the plugs is welcome. It's only with difficulty I caneven SEE the back leak. Plus, there's another in the front. Plus, theengine doesn't run right anyway. But I suppose I'm committed. ~~ Nehmo

Can I change the freeze plugs on a 4.9L without removing the engine?

Sep 13, 2010 43 Replies

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clare 15 years ago

You are correct Ed

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DogDiesel 15 years ago

There are no inappropriate ethnic slurs.

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DogDiesel 15 years ago

Youre wrong. Division of classes is Sociology 101. And division of race race is right. Evidenced by the fact that only 2% of people marry outside their race. In spite of the racist attempts of the US gubment and affirmative action to hold the black man down.

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hls 15 years ago

And I guess if you had to LIE on the ground (not "lay") in the snow, and someone said you were working like an Eskimo mechanic, you would think that is an ethnic slur???

We wont even get into the term "shade tree mechanic".

You take yourself all too seriously.

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