Freeze Plug preference - steel or brass

[galaxastang]

 Starting the rebuild on the truck 391 I got a bit ago, so I'm gathering up all the little stuff. Thanks     

[Joe-jdc]

Deep brass fit tight, and don't corrode.  Joe-JDC.

[jayb]

I always use steel, but brass might be better if they are going to stay in there for 20 years and straight water is used as coolant sometimes.  One thing to watch for with FE frost plugs is the diameter; the correct diameter is 1 - 49/64", not 1 - 3/4".  If you end up with the 1 - 3/4" size, put them in with a hard sealer, not silicone, and maybe go so far as to either stake them in place or tap the block for a retaining strap or small retaining screws to hold them in place.  A frost plug that blows out under load is unpleasant  , I've seen that happen on the dyno at a local engine shop...

[cammerfe]

Brass screw-in plugs. If your machine shop doesn't have a proper tap, you may still be able to borrow one if you look. The plugs are available at a good hardware store.

KS

[My427stang]

I generally use steel.  I haven't every had either fail, but brass tends to feel a little loose as you drive it in to me.

[Joe-jdc]

Every one that I have seen that has failed has been steel, and I have seen a lot of them over the years.  If you use the deep cup brass and clean the block with a brass wire wheel prior to installation, coat the block with sealer, and use a properly sized installation tool(not socket) the brass will seal indefinitely.  JME, Joe-JDC.

[rcodecj]

I've always used deep brass and some of my builds are going on decades. 

[blykins]

I use both, mainly brass.  I've never had any problems with freeze plugs.....with the exception of the time I went to drive a set in a 351C block.  I knocked 2 in on one side, smeared a little hooey-gooey around the outside of the third and proceeded to set it in the hole.  It fell right in. 

Not sure what was going on with that  block, but the one hole got a metric freeze plug....

[66FAIRLANE]

Every one that I have seen that has failed has been steel, and I have seen a lot of them over the years.  If you use the deep cup brass and clean the block with a brass wire wheel prior to installation, coat the block with sealer, and use a properly sized installation tool(not socket) the brass will seal indefinitely.  JME, Joe-JDC.

I have always just used the biggest socket I had. What is the best tool / size to use?