Dear Car Talk:
Twenty-two years ago, I bought a completely disassembled 1953 MG TD. The same car your late brother used to own, and wax poetic about (ad nauseum, as you’d say) on your radio show.
Recently, I finally finished reassembling the car and took it on the road. In 75 total miles of driving, I have blown two freeze plugs. I chalked it up to poor installation until I talked with a professional MG mechanic, who admitted to having the same problem.
Did your late brother have this problem with his MG TD? And if so, what did he do to solve the issue? — Larry
Wow, you set a new record, Larry. My brother never got more than 60 miles between major repairs.
It certainly could be installation error on your part. But since you’ve managed to track down one of the last professional MG mechanics still roaming the earth, I’d ask him to install the next set of freeze plugs for you.
By the way, I’m assuming he’s 93 years old, and answers to “Nigel.”
If they blew out that quickly, my guess is that the holes are too big. That can happen if someone was overzealous in trying to install them sometime (or several times) over the past 70 years.
Freeze plugs are driven into pre-existing holes in the engine block. And if they’re forced in too violently, or if the holes are aggressively sanded out, the holes can become too big. And if that happens, obviously, the plugs can get blown out under pressure.
Nigel can probably figure out if that’s your problem. And if the holes have gotten too big, he can get you some rubber expanding freeze plugs — designed to address just such a problem. And then, if you’re lucky, you’ll get 90 miles before you need to replace them again. Good luck, Larry.
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