Fitting new freeze plugs and pilot bearing crankshaft

When the engine took a chemical bath all the old freeze plugs were damaged. Fitting new freeze plugs is a simple matter when the engine is out of the car. That's what I thought...

Here is how I did it:
- clean the plugs and plug holes with alcohol or some solvent
- apply some liquid gasket on the edge of the plugs
- put the plug in the hole, flush with the engine
- take a socket just a bit smaller then the plug and put it with the solid side on top of the plug
- hit it one or two times with a heavy hammer to put the plug in the correct position
- take a ball-pein hammer and put it with the ball on the plug
- hit it one or two times with a heavy hammer
- apply liquid gasket on the edge of the plugs

Freeze plugs Volvo 122S B20B

Liquid gasket - Permatex Gasket Sealant 2 - on the freeze plugs

Left plug ready to hit, right plug already in

Freeze plugs fitted in the Volvo B20B engine block

Grinding the el cheapo ball-pein hammer

When I hit the plugs with the ball-pein hammer it seemed that the ball was too pointy, which resulted in not so nice dents in the plugs. I took the el cheapo ball hammer put it on the bench and made it nice round with the grinder. Then the plugs were hit again. Next time I'll use a bigger and better quality ball-pein hammer...

Freeze plugs hammered in the Volvo B20B engine block 

Freeze plugs fitted in the Volvo B20B engine block

I also put in the plug at the rear end of the camshaft. It's a good idea to do this after you place the camshaft so you don't push it out accidently.

Camshaft plug at rear of engine Volvo 122S B20B

Fingers crossed I hit them hard enough and they won't leak or fall out. Especially the camshaft plug which is unreachable when the engine is back in the bay.

While the engine was still off the engine stand I also fitted the new pilot bearing in the crankshaft. With a 1 inch socket it was tapped in place.

New crankshaft pilot bearing, cover plate and spring Volvo 122S B20B

Volvo B20B crankshaft ready for the new pilot bearing

Pilot bearing in place

Done