Coolant leak on '72 Highboy

[thefordguy]

Hi, I just noticed my 360 engine is leaking coolant. It appears to be coming from the drivers side of the engine, near the engine mount. The coolant drip is clean and not mixed with oil. I checked all hoses and the water pump and could not find any area that was wet with coolant. I live in southern california, and it has been very cold in the last week or two (in the 30s) so i'm not sure if this has had an effect on the leak. There is still plenty of coolant in the radiator, so it must be a slow but consistent drip. Any suggestions? I appreciate your help. thanks.

[1972hiboy]

There are freeze plugs in the block around that area. Id take a good inspection flashlight and possibly a inspection pocket mirror to look at those freeze plugs I think there is at least one directly behind the mount.

[thefordguy]

that sounds like the problem. I'll give it a good look tonite. Do you think if I added the bars leaks to the radiator it might seal up the leak a little?

[72ford350]

Here is a picture during my engine build. It shows the locations of the Freeze plugs you my have questions about.
Dan

[woods]

Probably a drooling soft plug. I would not personally use the leak stop. It's a pretty easy fix.

[thefordguy]

Do the freeze plugs rotate out like a bolt? I've read some articles for some engines that seem to require them to be pushed into place.

[woods]

Some thread in, but not on your engine. There are lots of ways to get them out. Some people drill a hole and use a slide hammer to pull them. I normally just take a drift, tap them on one side so it spins the other half out and grab it with a pair of pliers.
The first time they can be a little bit of a hassle, but once you figure it out, there is nothing to it.

Putting them in... I put a little aviation pemratex on the lip first. Not really necessary, but I do it anyway. I do so many soft plugs, that I have a tool for it, but it's not needed, just a lot easier. You can probably rent one at an auto-parts store, but you can just use a large socket and a hammer. It will probably fight you a little at first because it wants to go in straight, but you will get it.