Hi, I'm new to the forum so if I'm posting in the wrong area my appologies. Anyway, I purchsed a 1973 Challenger Rallye with a 340 4BL. The car has less than 28,000 original miles on it. The prior owner had the car in storage for the past five years and hadn't started it in as many years. I towed the car to my home and over the past 4 weeks systematically addressed each aspect of the engine to the point of starting it today. The car idled rough at first but evened out and was running quite well......until the coolent broke loose from the engine. I can't tell where the leak is coming from but it appears it's coming from under the block on the left (driver's) side and in the back of the engine. It looks like it between the engine and bell housing of the transmition. The entire system emptied in about 3-5 minutes and when I put a hose in the radiator it comes out just as fast as it goes in.

Would anyone have any idea of what could have posssibly happened? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Sounds like a freeze plug corroded through. If so, it's a simple matter to tap out the remnants of the old one and get a new one at any decent auto-supply store.

 

I agree with Roswell. Sounds like one of the freezeout plugs in the back of the block.
The bad news is you'll be pulling either the engine or trans or both. If you pull the engine,
you might as well check and change all of them. Good luck with the car, don't get discouraged
and welcome to the list.

 

Yeah, had one go out on my first 340. Right behind the engine and in front of the trans. I had to pull the trans to get to it. But after that, I had no other problems... well as far as the freeze plugs.

 

I agree that it's a freeze plug and you'll probably want to do them all.

Remember, to clean the surface well and don't just slap new ones in. They don't just stay in there by themselves. You'll need to coat the mated suface with Permatex Form-a-gasket. Tell the guys at the parts counter what you are doing and they should point you to the right tube.

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