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CORE PLUG ; REMOVAL & FITTING ;
Leaking cylinder head core plug ?
The core plugs used in the Reliant engines are called disc core plugs .
As the core plugs are so cheap , it would make sense to buy 2 or 3 in the event that if one is damaged during fitting you can then use the other spare one.
REMOVAL; {Unless your engine has already spat the core plug out ! }
Choices as to removal ;
{ 1 } Get a dollop of grease and bung it on the core plug to catch the drill swarf .
Drill a hole in the core plug to suit a large self tapper screw .
Screw the self tapper into the core plug leaving a good portion out
Hold the screw with pliers and hit the pliers with a hammer.
{ 2 } Get a dollop of grease and bung it on the core plug to catch the drill swarf .
Drill a hole in the core plug
Gently bash a screwdriver through the hole in the centre of the core plug and prise the plug out using a wee block of wood under the screwdriver to avoid damaging the head .
Do not go too far into the core plug or the end of the screwdriver will catch on the inside of the head as you try to prise it off
{ 3 } Use a very small sharp chisel to make the hole in the core plug and then use either screw or screwdriver methods { 1 } or { 2 } above
FITTING ;
When the core plug is out look inside the hole in the cylinder head and you might possibly see a load of sand / crud in there clean out as much as you can .
Gently clean the recess where the core plug sits into .
Smear some gasket cement in the recess of the cylinder head
Fit the core plugs with the dish pointing outwards ..
The core plug is then gently tapped in the middle of the dish .
You can then use a drift to strike the centre of the core plug to spread it out sideways to grip the sides .
The following link will take you to a YouTube video on fitting a disc core plug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aejqRkgGaE
The secret is only to strike the core plug till it is flat .
As the core plug flattens it spreads out and seals the side .
However , if you are too heavy with the hammer you will cause the core plug to dish inwards and therefore draw the plug away from the sides again !
If it is only a slight weap at the side of the core plug , and the plug is not fully flattened or dished inwards , then you might get away with not removing the core plug by just giving it a tiny bit more dunt as above .
If that does not work then you will need to fit a new plug
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Questions ;
Anyone confirm whether all the 600cc ohv engines are all the same and fitted with the 1 7/8" core plug?
Also can anyone confirm whether all the 700cc and 750cc sizes are the same size as the 850cc engines at 1 and a 1/2 inch ?
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