Engine Block Coolant Plug

[Caman96]

Is this the correct plug for block coolant drain? gmpartsgiant.com confirms fitment for my 5.7 Vortec, but most of the other GM parts sites say other. I think it is the right part.

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[Hipster]

If I was replacing one I would probably go brass instead of the steel one. Marine use plastic ones where pulling the drains is a seasonal event.

 

[Orpedcrow]

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Head looks the same as what’s in my block

 

[Caman96]

If I was replacing one I would probably go brass instead of the steel one. Marine use plastic ones where pulling the drains is a seasonal event.

I always wonder about Galvanic Corrosion, and it wouldn’t be the brass plug, it would be the block. It’s not just me with those concerns, there’s endless threads on it. Endless posts on it being fine too. What I don’t like about the brass is that it is softer and I wish they were solid, not hollow, like the GM plugs.

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[fancyTBI]

I always wonder about Galvanic Corrosion, and it wouldn’t be the brass plug, it would be the block. It’s not just me with those concerns, there’s endless threads on it. Endless posts on it being fine too. What I don’t like about the brass is that it is softer and I wish they were solid, not hollow, like the GM plugs.

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Surely they sell solid ones.

 

[Hipster]

Brass pipe plugs are not ok but brass core plugs are the way to go? Think about that for a minute. It's not like you put them in at 100 ft lbs. The steel ones can corrode themselves to the block and the crap that ends up laying against them and near impossible to get out.

 

[Caman96]

Brass pipe plugs are not ok but brass core plugs are the way to go? Think about that for a minute. It's not like you put them in at 100 ft lbs. The steel ones can corrode themselves to the block.

^^^Those are the plugs Schurkey recommended.
Also,
“Iron is ranked number 4, whereas brass is a higher number 9 rank. As a result, the higher ranked metal will corrode the lower ranked metal.”
Different metals create Galvanic Corrosion and pit the iron. I wonder if the thread seal negates that though. At the same time, it’s not like the original’s fused to blocks, maybe neglected ones.

 

[Komet]

I'd wager that actual metal to metal contact is minimal with proper application of thread sealant and that any reasonable plug will do the job. The cheapest 'low pressure' pipe plugs at McMaster Carr are rated to 150psi, way more than the coolant system will ever see.

 

[Hipster]

^^^Those are the plugs Schurkey recommended.
Also,
“Iron is ranked number 4, whereas brass is a higher number 9 rank. As a result, the higher ranked metal will corrode the lower ranked metal.”
Different metals create Galvanic Corrosion and pit the iron. I wonder if the thread seal negates that though. At the same time, it’s not like the original’s fused to blocks, maybe neglected ones.

Well aware of what galvanic corrosion is and why it happens. Can be created by by and definitely accelerated faulty grounding paths etc. If it was that much of an issue everyone wouldn't be installing brass core plugs in rebuilds. Not everyone slathers up their core plug with sealer for install. Some have the proper drivers to do them dry. It's a non-issue.

 

[Caman96]

any reasonable plug

GM 14084945 falls into that category. I’m sure either brass too.