MGB Freeze plug removal

[Boggsy64]

I am trying to remove my freeze plugs and they won't budge. I know you are supposed to use a driver on one edge to get them to rotate and the just pull them out. Is it different for 18v?

 

[Brinkerhoff]

I've always used a sharpened punch to pierce a hole near the edge , driving the punch into the hole and then pushing it sideways to pop out the plug.

 

[bob67bgt]

I also use a long sharp punch/ or old sharpened screwdriver to punch a hole in the plug. I do not make the hole near the edge. There is a lip under the plug that you do not want to disturb or crack the block on the edge. Hole at the center and pry sideways to remove the plug. Bob

 

[Brinkerhoff]

Yea, right . Dead center would work better. I was thinking closer to center than the edge. Sorry if I misled.

 

[Sarastro]

For the TD, I drilled a hole in the center, put in a self-tapping screw, grabbed it with vise grips, and yanked the sucker out. If I needed a little more leverage, I pried the whole thing with a large screwdriver.

 

[Boggsy64]

I am thinking like you guys. I can see the backside of the first plug through the water pump opening, and obvious rust there. Truly a frozen freeze plug..lol I thought about using a hole saw to take out most of the plug and then dealing with the rim with a chisel. Afraid to do to much pounding and crack the block casting.
For now, based on your advise, i will use a sharp chisel in the middle and see what happens.

 

[Boggsy64]

Wow. Once again you guys have saved me! I was thinking the freeze plug was like American engine (a cup) and not the "wafer" that it is. Sure enough a punch in the middle and it came right out. If I tried to "pivot" the plug like a freeze plug, I am used to ,I would have to break the block because of the lip mentioned by bob!

 

[DrEntropy]

A small hole drilled in the center and a slide hammer works well, too.