Hey guys,

I'm new to the world of Mopar, and I need a bit of advice.

I'm looking at a $450 1984 Fifth Avenue on my local craigslist. Seller claims it runs fine, but needs a freeze plug. No mileage is listed.

What kinds of trouble would I be getting myself into with this car? I just need an around-towner for the occasional day when my wife and I need to be in different places at the same time. The on-paper mpg of the choked 2bbl V8 doesn't look to be any worse than our Odyssey (15/20).

How difficult are these to work on? I've always owned newer FWD 4cyl cars (foreign and domestic), but I'm looking for something cheap and easy while I save money for a newer car.

 

Freeze plug? You might be looking at a bigger headache than you want, possibly a cracked block...

 

If it needs one freeze plug, it might need all of them. Why does this one need to be replaced. I advise caution.

 

ive had problems with the rear freeze plugs always rusting out..it figures its the rear. pull an engine for a 80 cent part. there easier to work on than the new cars.

 

Not familiar with freeze plugs, really -- no car I've ever had has needed them. What do they do? Does it have something to do with the coolant?

You mention pulling the engine... is the plug really that inaccessible while in the car?

I'm starting to think this'd be a bad idea, then...

 

the freeze plug pops out to allow coolant to leak out in the event of the water beginning to freeze in the block
it is a safety for the block

 

there multiple places on the block and heads where freeze plugs are. some are hard to reach some are easy. like gtx said they are spose to pop out incase of the coolant freezing. ive awlays see a block pop 1st before the freeze plug. ask the guy which freeze plug it is? you can run it with water in it to see where its leeking from take it to a shop and ask them if its worth putting money in it. some shops will tell you the problem for no fee.