Ah, the good old freeze plug story was deployed to justify the condition of an engine. What does that mean? If you have to ask, you’re young and good for you. So, after a brief Barn Finds-style intro, I’ll give you that. In the meantime, this is a 1966 Chevy Malibu up for sale. It’s claimed to be in its original condition. Should this be your groove, grab it and then head to the Bay area to collect it, pausing briefly to thank Numskal for the tip that made you realize your dream.
OK, so the urban legend that is the freeze plug story is a variation of this: A guy goes to war and is killed. He left behind his beloved muscle car. The family thinks it’s in need of an engine rebuild because it can’t hold its coolant. But some clever person comes along and realizes it’s really just needing a freeze plug. He gets the car at a steep discount, remedies the freeze plug problem for a few bucks, and has the magic muscle car everyone in the era was looking for, gained at a low price. It might have happened a few times, but more often than not, it’s just a story that keeps car nuts hoping and dreaming.
This seller deploys the myth in reverse, trying to make the car seem better than it might be by saying that the engine needs just a freeze plug and only wheel cylinders to drive. Is it that simple, or is a coolant leak (aka blown head gasket) the real problem? Might it be worth taking the risk? It will take more than these two items to recondition a car stored since 1985. Every rubber part, the fuel system, cooling system, and so forth, will really need to be addressed before you point this car eastward and drive it home from the Bay area.
But the asking price at only $15K is tempting. The paint is original. Curiously, the ad says, “all smog is complete,” though most people selling a car in California would know that it’s not necessary to smog a car built before 1976. Look at the paint carefully before you emotionally commit to its patina. Would you leave it as is and drive, or does this 283-CID V8 coupe demand further investment before it’s cruise-worthy? It’s a tight call, and there can’t be many of these left waiting to be discovered. It’s listed here on Craigslist in the San Francisco area, asking for $15,000.
Well, I’ve heard just about every goofy automotive story, never the freeze plug one, but I do appreciate the mention of Vietnam, a scenario the author describes that went on all over this country. What to do with juniors car? To be clear, most that went to that quagmire( come on all you big strong men, Uncle Sam needs your help again) served just before the musclecar era, and some may have missed it altogether. As far as the story, I’ve found, for the most part, the classic car hobby has no conscience. To some, one persons loss is another’s gain. I couldn’t do it, but I don’t deal in classic cars either, mostly just for that reason.
This, regardless of the story, is a great find. Most of these in this configuration are all but gone. It could be a really nice car again.
One of my friends brother was lost in Nam, just before he left he had purchased a New Boss 302 . After he died his dad parked the car on the side of the house where it sat until the Dad died. By then it was just a pile of rust. So who knows how many others Families left them to rot or slow them for nothing as the car could only bring memories of their loved one !
Sold then, not slow lol
I think this old Chevy has covered a few more miles than 60 + K. Probably was stored due to failing brakes, front end is a bit rough, not saying it couldn’t be more, but definitely a project. Basically a sporty looking Malibu but hardly just fix the brakes and coolant leak and drive.
I’d assume it’s worse than a coolant leak. A motor can be started and run with a leak or run for a minute or two without any water at all. Plenty of time to determine if the little 283 has any life left in it. I wouldn’t even haggle until I knew it’s condition.
Has 66 Pontiac front buckets. I know, I put a set in my first car, the above 55 Chevy in about 1972. I was smart enough to throw away the perfectly good original front seat. Oh well.
The above Chevelle looks rough around the edges but 66 – 67 Chevelles are getting hard to find. I certainly wouldn’t kick it out of my garage.
A freeze plug problem on a California car? Did they park it in the surf?
Freeze plug replacements were fairly common back then. I was raised in the Los Angeles area and replaced several. In warmer climates it was normal to run a car with only water. When taking a weekend trip to where freezing could be expected, we would drain the radiator and block using drain fittings on the engine.
Freeze plugs rust out from the inside, California has nothing to do with it. The rust is from condensation, what you see is the typical rust pattern for 60’s GM cars that have been parked outside for decades.
Whoever buys it will probably do an engine swap, it’s the body they will be after.
Steve R
The freeze plug story could check out. Big question is why did the freeze plug pop to begin with? Usually due to inadequate coolant/water mix, meaning perhaps the block is cracked. And yes I could see someone using this line while buying to scoop up an old relic for a song and then flipping it with the mindset of “oLd cArS aRe sUcH a gOoD iNvEsTmEnT. yOu cAn gEt rIcH oFF oF tHeM”. 🙄
Air injection actually did start in 1966..working as a mechanic I removed many AirPumps and plugged the ports.
Anti freeze can turn acidic and eat through expansion plugs,they are for removing sand when casting the blocks not for freeze protection..
Yep, that’s why we replaced the stock steel ones with brass.
True. I suspect “freeze plug” comes from the fact that water expands when it freezes. The plug isn’t for allowing freezing water to expand but that is an easily accepted notion.
You are correct that they are “core plugs” and not “freeze plugs” but they can certainly function as a “freeze plug” I had 65 L-79 Corvette that I left in a friend’s un-heated garage in Bend, Or. during the winter while I was in Florida. I didn’t have glycol in it because I had run it at the local drag strip, and they only allowed water as a coolant. When I got back it had frozen the water in the block but two of the core plugs had popped out, so it didn’t crack the block. The plugs coming out gave the water somewhere to expand to.
And, I heard freeze plugs were only used on odd numbered engine codes west of Laramie.
Another legend from the 60’s/70’s was the Corvette somebody was supposedly selling for $100 because a guy had died in it and they couldn’t get the smell out.
They’re called “Frost Plugs” here in Minnesota.
Probably invented in Frostbite Falls.
Okay, WISH (what in Sam Hill) is a freeze plug? I assume it’s a drain valve at the bottom of the radiator, yes?
No, not the drain plug in the radiator. “Freeze plugs” are located in the sides of the engine block, usually about an inch and a quarter in diameter. They are located in the water jacket area of the block and over time can corrode to the point of leaking coolant. They are also frequently the weakest point in the block so if the coolant freezes the freeze plug may possibly let go and prevent the block from cracking due to the expansion of the freezing coolant.
Call em what you want, I wish my 92 Caravan had popped a couple in a bitter Va. 08 winter. Rather than push the plugs out, it took an appx. 2 sq. in. piece of the block out right between 2 freeze plugs, unique that happened with the plugs being stronger than the block.Stupidity on my part, I knew better. 3.0V6. great grocery getter
Also, IMHO, “rode hard and put and put away wet.” No thanks.
I know this seller and you can buy with confidence. Big car guy and he finds some great cars.
Where do I send the Ck
??
A while back A friend was telling me about about the old corvette he bought, he was unable to get the smell out. I didn’t say anything that story being used by many others as well.
You are correct that they are “core plugs” and not “freeze plugs” but they can certainly function as a “freeze plug” I had 65 L-79 Corvette that I left in a friend’s un-heated garage in Bend, Or. during the winter while I was in Florida. I didn’t have glycol in it because I had run it at the local drag strip, and they only allowed water as a coolant. When I got back it had frozen the water in the block but two of the core plugs had popped out, so it didn’t crack the block. The plugs coming out gave the water somewhere to expand to.
Screw the freeze plug. It needs an LS and a 6 speed.
Once there was a warehouse full of WWII army Harleys in crates slathered in Cosmoline that were for sale for $50.
Everybody said so in the 60’s, but no one knew where it was.
A sort of Eldorado for riders. Always somewhere other than here.
My brother put his TR3 in a garage while he went on a 13 month tropic vacation with the 9th infantry. I went over ever other week to run it back and forth in the driveway. Good chore for a 13 year old. The cars was fine.
Also new army Jeeps for cheap…
As seen via x-ray specs.
Smog equipment on a 1975 and earlier passenger car is still required by law, the lack of testing doesn’t allow for its removal. Some day, California will reinstate testing, it’s just a matter of time until the bureaucrats turn their attention to the older cars and the state legislature will likely approve biannual testing once again. Remove it if you want, but keep it.
Steve R
Or move to somewhere normal.
I actually bought a 64.5 Mustang in South Austin like this in 1982. HOA made them keep it inside garage as it wasn’t registered or drivable. Mom was selling because son was in college and kept saying “send$”. She said a neighbor diagnosed “cracked block” due to water leak. It ran. I paid $350 and it took 4 stops to fill w/water. Freeze plugs rusted behind headers.