core plugs / freeze plugs

[RGSchmitt]

One piece of advcie I've seen is to use this "opportunity" to
dig/scoop around inside the water jacket and remove any adjacent
gunk before putting the new plug back in.

[Kevin H]

Can't really see why you would need a 15 lb radiator cap. The 411s only use a 13 lb cap and the 411 engines runs much hotter than the 408 engine.

Does the 408 owners manual call for a 15 lb cap?

[Nick Challacombe]

The reason that it has a 15lb radiator cap is that is what Bristol Cars
recommend,
It is what is in the handbook and workshop manual, it is what Brian Marelli
keeps
in stock for them.
As there is no correlation between the engines or cooling systems on the
cars I expect the workshop
manual on the 411 shows a 13lb cap on that car/engine set up.
I do not pretend to know about 411's only 407,408 engines and cars.

I would never presume to pull up the fountain of all knowledge on 411's but
I do have a workshop
manual for a 407, I would never dream of disputing you on a 411 so why
question me and a 407/8.

Nick.

[GREG]

This is the core plug that I found on the drive. Nothing more than corrosion over about half the plug with some galvanised plating still in tact.

No new ones in thee post yet ! Maybe I will weld the old one back in :-))

Conclusion : The damage is down to age and a plonker owner over revving the engine.

Thanks for all the help and guidance especially to Alan Blackwood for taking the time to call and go through the procedure and giving me the proper dad advise about not fixing things that are not broken !.

Greg

[GREG]

And while I have your attention - any ideas on the best antifreeze to treat her to?

Thanks

Greg

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by Nick Challacombe

I would never dream of disputing you on a 411 so why question me and a 407/8.

Nick,

Why the rant?

I asked a simple (and very specific) question;

"Does the 408 owners manual call for a 15 lb cap? "

All you needed to say was "Yes".

Kevin

[Nick Challacombe]

Why rise to the bait, I knew you would!!

What a laugh, you can give it but not take it!!

[GREG]

Well it got to Saturday morning and still no core plugs in the post from BCL !

In desperation I looked on ebay to see if I could see something from another car that looked the right size - the original Mini looked close. I managed to find a Mini specialist close to where I live and took the old core plug along to compare. They are identical !

Jacked her up and put the axle stands under and 15 minutes later anti-freeze in and running - what a piece of piss !

I wish all the d.i.y. jobs went like that !

Next job is to fit my new high torque starter.

Thanks again to all

Greg