My 98 keeps blowing antifreeze all over the place, first a hose and now a freeze plug, so I am replacing the plug and doing the head gasket at the same time just in case it is blown. My girlfriend's cousin is doing the work, since I do not have the tools/knowledge/resources here in kentucky. He's doing it for $400 including parts.

So my questions are:

Is there anything else I should do while everything is pulled apart?

I've read to get brass plugs, but is steel ok? Not a lot of stuff in stock around here.

Is this a good write up for the plug? http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoWelshPlugs1.htm
And can you point me in the direction of a good head gasket write up? I found one but it was old and all the pictures were gone. This guy works on diesels so I'm just looking for some stuff that will help him with a Jeep, as well as let me learn while he is doing it.

Should I replace all 5 freeze plugs on the side of the block or just the one that was blown out?


Thanks.

 

If I were you I would not put steal freeze plugs in. Even if I had to hunt down the brass one. It would be worth it to find them. Also replace them all. If one rotted out the rest aren't far behind.

 

Order brass ones by the time the head gets back from machine shop they should arrive...

 

Ok thanks guys. Does anyone have a part number for a 2" brass plug? I've been looking for the past 30 mins on the Dorman/Oreilly/Autozone websites and cant find a 2" brass plug for the life of me.

 

Try this place: http://www.rockauto.com
They will be listed as Cylinder Head Plug under engine parts.

 

Hmm well that helped, but it also creates more questions.

They have 12 part numbers listed, with 3 different sizes.

2" (50.8mm)
50.92mm (2.0047244")
2 9/64" (54.3719mm)


So... Will any of these work? I'm presuming the 50.92mm ones will work as they're pretty close to 2". But what are the 2 9/64" ones for?

 

Look at this engine diagram

http://www.quadratec.com/jeep-replac....0l-engine.php

#19 is the 2-9/64" Camshaft Plug