Classic/Antique Car Repair/1971 Ford Ranchero

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Expert: - 9/1/2009


Question
I have a 1971 Ranchero with 67,000 original miles that I want to restore and give to my daughter.  The freeze plugs are pushed out of the engine.  is that fixable or is the engine shot?  Thank you for any help you can give us

Answer
If the freeze plugs are pushed out it indicates that indeed the engine coolant has frozen. It would be wise to lift the engine out of the chassis and check all the plugs, including the hidden ones behind the flywheel. I would also suspect that there could be other damage to the engine itself. However with that said if you so desire to replace the plugs that you can see and then fill the cooling system and pressure test it you might just luck out and find that it is ok or not. Do not attempt to start the engine once you have put coolant into it in case there is coolant leaking into a cylinder. This could cause hydrostatic lock and finish the engine for good.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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