Good core plug suppliers?

[taroz]

Hi all,

Does anyone know of good quality core plug suppliers?

When I recommissioned my engine back in 2015 I made the mistake of taking off two of the original core plugs from one head and since then one of these has been a little trickly.

In the last week I've changed that core plug twice and still not well sealed at all.

Today I compared the old cores with the new ones and the new ones are much more shallow and look slightly thinner material.

Before going down the k-seal route I want to see if I can get plugs that are similar to the original deeper ones.

Can anyone recommend a good quality supplier of these?

As always many thanks for any suggestions.

Tariq

IMG_8445.jpg IMG_8447.jpg IMG_8446.jpg

[Goldstar]

A little smear of rtv or the blue Hylomar might sort you out Tariq as I suspect there is only one supplier of that type of part to all the retailers. Might be wrong but it is becoming commonplace - brake drums is another example.

[taroz]

Thanks Goldstar, we used an abundant amount of red hylomar to try to give it a good hard seal but it did not hold.

Suspect you might be right on the supplier, tempted to give the old plug a clean up and try to refit it with some Araldite but may well first try the blue hylomar on top of the red to see if it does help.

[Philip Wardle]

After we had just finished replacing the leaking core plug under the inlet manifold I found this supplier, I wonder if anyone has tried them?

https://www.classicengineparts.co.uk/categories/cep-other-core-plugs

[richardthestag]

I use these chaps for Rover v8 plugs, they have a very wide range though

https://coreplugs.co.uk/triumph

[taroz]

Many thanks for both the suggestions, will check out what they have.

[taroz]

Just heard back from them, they do the depth at 6.9mm which are the same as the ones I already have, sadly no different. Thanks again for the suggestion though

[taroz]

I use these chaps for Rover v8 plugs, they have a very wide range though

https://coreplugs.co.uk/triumph

Just heard back from them, they do the depth at 6.9mm which are the same as the ones I already have, sadly no different. Thanks again for the suggestion though!

[Philip Wardle]

Out of interest I just looked at Mick Dolphin’s website (on 31/08/2023), he sell genuine NOS except where indicated. I haven't ordered any of these to see what they're like but he might be worth a try -

143867 core plug 1.1" Dol. 1850 cyl. head £0.75 (from Dolomite list)
144686 core plug 1.25" most TSSC (some not genuine) £0.75 (from TSSC list)
153972 core plug 1" Dol.1850/Sprint £0.75 (from Dolomite list)

http://www.mickdolphin.co.uk/

[taroz]

After we had just finished replacing the leaking core plug under the inlet manifold I found this supplier, I wonder if anyone has tried them?

https://www.classicengineparts.co.uk/categories/cep-other-core-plugs

Hi Philip, I heard back from CEP and the plugs they have seem to be to the original depth... have ordered some and will see what turns up. Many thanks for the suggestion.

[taroz]

Out of interest I just looked at Mick Dolphin’s website (on 31/08/2023), he sell genuine NOS except where indicated. I haven't ordered any of these to see what they're like but he might be worth a try -

143867 core plug 1.1" Dol. 1850 cyl. head £0.75 (from Dolomite list)
144686 core plug 1.25" most TSSC (some not genuine) £0.75 (from TSSC list)
153972 core plug 1" Dol.1850/Sprint £0.75 (from Dolomite list)

http://www.mickdolphin.co.uk/

Also, thanks very much for looking there... I've also sent Mick an email this morning in the hope he's also got some stock to order. Much appreciated.

[Philip Wardle]

Also, thanks very much for looking there... I've also sent Mick an email this morning in the hope he's also got some stock to order. Much appreciated.

No problem - I managed to ask Mick this afternoon, he has only got a few 1444686 and 153972 left unfoirtunately. But looking at your pictures it would be great if we could find a supplier nearer to the original spec - will keep a look out.

[Edmason]

After consulting lots of people I decided to use a hard PU sealer, I used Tiger Seal, (Sika Flex is similar), rather than a soft sealer like Hylomar, on the basis that a soft sealer might allow movement and leaks but the hard sealer wouldn't. Also there was a deep scratch to one seating, which I wanted to fill. People warned me that getting them out might be difficult if I used a PU sealer, but I'm not planning on doing that job again! So far so good!

[jbuckl]

Pu sealer will work.

it will help fill score marks from removal.

Imho araldite does not help with core plugs ….

[taroz]

After consulting lots of people I decided to use a hard PU sealer, I used Tiger Seal, (Sika Flex is similar), rather than a soft sealer like Hylomar, on the basis that a soft sealer might allow movement and leaks but the hard sealer wouldn't. Also there was a deep scratch to one seating, which I wanted to fill. People warned me that getting them out might be difficult if I used a PU sealer, but I'm not planning on doing that job again! So far so good!

Thanks for the suggestion, we went with red hylomar for a similar reason, harder setting than the blue stuff but obviously not good enough. Will see how I get on trying to locate original type core plugs but sounds like Tiger Seal is a potential sensible next step!