Bad day water leak

[dr deuce]

Today on a trip 50 miles round trip from home, I had a coolant system failure in my CCKW cargo truck. I am pretty sure I lost a freeze plug on the back of the engine. There is a full sized one which is partially (from memory) behind the bellhousing. I don't remember if there is a little on on the back of the head.

The engine has to come out....

I suppose on the good side, it didn't happen so far away from home I had to have it towed (I used 7 gallons of anti to get home. I monitored the temp gauge and cab heater. When I have the engine out, I will send out the head and have it made bullet proof (hardened seats and teflon valve seals)

[Brad]

sounds like a real fun time DR.deuce! good to hear you made it home though.

[dr deuce]

I have decided that when the engine is out, I will have ALL of the freeze plugs replaced!

[Fernando Mendes]

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/69/imagem783.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/71 ... m1001.jpg/
These days ago I noticed that mine was leaking in the same place too.this pic is from 2005.We can notice the rust in freeze plug.

[Fernando Mendes]

The water engine leakage was not in freeze plug.It was in exhaust manifold thread stud.Look out for it,folks !!!

[dr deuce]

was the block cracked? That bolt hole is blind and does not go ito the water jacket

[Fernando Mendes]

I think it is not cracked.My 1942 Willys Jeep had the same problem in 2008.Its oil was milky colour.Now this problem was solved.My GMC I only stopped the leakage yesterday,putting an white insulating thread tape in the stud.

[mudflap]

Dr. Deuce,

Your experience with that coolant leak has got me thinking...

If I ever did need to have my 353 towed, what type of rig would be suitable? For example, if I call the number on my AAA card, and the guy shows up with one of those retractable flatbed type rigs, I just don't see it having the capacity to load a 9,000 lb. truck. On the other hand, one of those big monsters that you see pulling 18 wheelers around would probably be overkill (and very costly, I bet).

I'm thinking about adding the phone numbers of several local towing companies to my cell phone, but I would like to check them out first to ensure they have suitable equipment.

Does anybody have any ideas with regards to what is required to properly tow a CCKW? What type of questions would be good to ask a prospective towing company?

I'm not talking about towing across country.. Just maybe 20 miles or so.

Thanks...

[dr deuce]

Years ago I made a universal tow-bar for a CCKW or other big HMV. I towed another CCKW chassis and cab with my CCKW. It towed straight and tracked perfectly. Everything was great till I tried to stop! I came down on the brakes and pressed harder and harder until I locked all 10 wheels! The towed CCKW just pushed me down the road. Good thing it was not a "T" intersection....