Im putting my engine back together and I was going to buy new freeze plugs because mine are pretty rusted and probably fused to the 22R engine block. My question is should I replace these? And how the hell do I get the old ones out, and the new ones in?

My other question is with the timing chain. The engine has 179k on it, and I dont know anything about the history of it. How can I tell if a chain needs to be replaced? Im buying the DOA guide kit because i found my plastic guides broken when i opened it up. If I need to replace the chain too I'll just drop the $200 on the whole DOA kit.

My freeze plugs were replaced when I had it tanked, cleaned and bored.

Just change the timing chain, tensioner, etc. It's fairly cheap, and if you have the DOA guides, there's no reason not to change it. WOW $200 for the kit!! I paid $700 for all my machine work, pistons, water pump, oil pump, gaskets, etc. for a full rebuild.

Thats Cheap, did you have a local shop do that?

Yes I did, they sold me a "kit" which included everything I needed...I wish I would have know about the metal guides though...guess it'll have to wait. BUT I still have the "tick tick tick" noise that has not been fixed with numerous checks of the vavle settings.

Good Luck

Originally posted by Bones
BUT I still have the "tick tick tick" noise that has not been fixed with numerous checks of the vavle settings.

Are you sure this Tick,Tick is not the injectors instead of the valves?:cool: :usa: :cool:

Not sure OPP'S? Got any sure fire ways to check? It's more annoying than anything else. It was my first engine rebuild, but it's not MY fault I know. :D

Originally posted by dirtgreg
Im putting my engine back together and I was going to buy new freeze plugs because mine are pretty rusted and probably fused to the 22R engine block. My question is should I replace these? And how the hell do I get the old ones out, and the new ones in?

I pulled one out of my V6 when I installed a block heater. It's a real PITA to do when the engine is in the truck, that's for sure. Anyway, I ended up using a slide-hammer seal puller. Drilled progressively larger holes in the plug until I could get the "hook" of the puller behind the plug, then one smack of the slide hammer and it popped right out. You can also use a dent puller.

How can I tell if a chain needs to be replaced? Im buying the DOA guide kit because i found my plastic guides broken when i opened it up. If I need to replace the chain too I'll just drop the $200 on the whole DOA kit.

There is a procedure in the factory repair manual that shows how to check the chain and sprockets. For the chain, you pull tension on it and check the length of 17 links. Should be less than 147 mm or 5.787 inches (Note: this is out of my '84 manual, '85+ chain might be different, don't have mine with me).

Originally posted by Bones
My freeze plugs were replaced when I had it tanked, cleaned and bored.

Just change the timing chain, tensioner, etc. It's fairly cheap, and if you have the DOA guides, there's no reason not to change it. WOW $200 for the kit!! I paid $700 for all my machine work, pistons, water pump, oil pump, gaskets, etc. for a full rebuild.

I think he was talking about the timing kit and not the whole engine rebuild.....right?

yes, but I was just throwing a comparision out, since the set seemed realy high priced to me.

Originally posted by Bones
yes, but I was just throwing a comparision out, since the set seemed realy high priced to me.

Yeah, Ive found complete rebuild kits ranging from 500 to 1000+, thats parts only.

I dont have that kind of money, or any real good machine skills, so im just installing all new gaskets, a new oil pump, water pump, radiator, exhaust header, and oil pan. I hope its enough to keep the old 22R running until I can dedicate the time and money into an EFI swap. Hmmm that new Chevy 4.2 V6 looks nice with 270 hp, and 275 ft-lb. Everyone keep an eye out for totalled 2002 Chevy Trailblazers :D :D

just FYI the 4.2 in the trailblazer is a straight six. So size might matter.

I've never fooled much with Toy motors. but the way I've always got the freeze plugs out was to drive them in with a hammer and socket then take a pair of pliers and pull them back.

I use a bodymans slide hammer.Drill a hole -screw in the hammer & viola freeze plug is out.
;)

Originally posted by Greg W
just FYI the 4.2 in the trailblazer is a straight six. So size might matter.

That sucks, what waste of a capable engine.