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Screw in freeze plug tap

12528 Views 24 Replies 17 Participants Last post by  db351c
Anybody know a place to buy or rent the 1 1/4 npt tap to install the Ford Racing screw in freeze plugs #M-6026-B302? Nobody around Sacramento seems to have the right size, not any machine shops, plumbers, nobody. Any leads would be appreciated!! Retail on these taps new is like $100. hate to spend that for a one time use and then it sits in my tool box for a couple centuries....
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I have thought of the same thing in the past but never done it dont know what if any benefit would come of it other than looks.
I have the same issue here in Memphis.

To further complicate things, it is my understanding that you may need two (2) different taps - - one to start and another "shorten" one to finish. It is definite cost prohibitive to buy the tap(s) when you are only doing a couple of blocks.

I have decided to let Dave McLain do my block as he is relatively close to Memphis and has told me that he has the taps.

Good Luck!


BT
I got mine from the Mac man. I think it was a Hanson? $45.00, 4 years ago.
It's not for looks, they won't pop out like regular plugs.
screw in plugs

Yes, its not just for looks, alot of the new high flow water pumps can push out the soft plugs. I had that happen on a burn out in my blown 473. Thank you all for the help, I now know of a place I can get the tap for around $50. Thats reasonable enough. Greg
I have the same issue here in Memphis.

To further complicate things, it is my understanding that you may need two (2) different taps - - one to start and another "shorten" one to finish. It is definite cost prohibitive to buy the tap(s) when you are only doing a couple of blocks.

I have decided to let Dave McLain do my block as he is relatively close to Memphis and has told me that he has the taps.

Good Luck!


BT
Quite right, my Ford Guru machinist showed me the two he uses to do them, one regular length and a second at about half the length......
Pretty sure it's been mentioned on here you can get away with 1 tap for big blocks because there is enough room for it to go in, small blocks require 2 taps .
tap

Pretty sure it's been mentioned on here you can get away with 1 tap for big blocks because there is enough room for it to go in, small blocks require 2 taps .
true--- you only need one tap for 429-460 blocks. availiable at any industrial tool supplier.
small block fords you need 2 taps with one shortened to finish the job.
Taps

Quite right, my Ford Guru machinist showed me the two he uses to do them, one regular length and a second at about half the length......
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This is spot on! I had to buy two of them and cut one in half to do the hole close to the cylinders. I got both of mine off of Ebay for cheap.

Dan
Greg,
Did you try Harbor Freight tools? They have a lot of that stuff and cheap.
Good luck
Dave
:)
I never thought about it but yeah it would suck to blow one out at half track... My New Boss 347 has them and they do look trick besides the function and it seems like a very cheap up grade to do. I think I will do this to my next BBF.
It all depends on the depth, if you want the plugs flush it will require two taps.
The long tap hits bottom before the thread is cut deep enough to flush up the plug.
We did this on my Kaase head Boss 557- so thats my story and I'm sticken to it.
I have thought of the same thing in the past but never done it dont know what if any benefit would come of it other than looks.
In addition to the expansion plugs staying put, the threaded plugs offer some increased block rigidity where every bit helps...

Paul
My machinist told me to use 3 small drive in rivets around the edge of the plugs. Drill the hole at a 45 degree angle. He started doing that on circle track cars, and hasn't lost one since.


But now, I think his new CNC machine has a setup for that, so the next time I go he'll wanna charge me for screw in plugs. :D
Saw some on ebay, $31 and up
Just purchased mine off ebay a couple days ago for $23 bucks shipped. Made by Greenfield in the USA.
Looks like it came out good. Do the caps screw in flush? Which tap did you end up buying?
Looks like it came out good. Do the caps screw in flush? Which tap did you end up buying?
a greenfield of ebay looks to be a bottoming tap so I didnot need to purchase two diff taps had no issues starting tap cast iron cuts very easy... Still waiting for FRPP plugs to come through summit must be on back order... Tap off ebay> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330451161042&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT
a greenfield of ebay looks to be a bottoming tap so I didnot need to purchase two diff taps had no issues starting tap cast iron cuts very easy... Still waiting for FRPP plugs to come through summit must be on back order... Tap off ebay> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330451161042&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT
Can't pull site up.
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