Brass vs Steel

Boomyal · Oct 22, 2004

I have a number of unused, threaded holes, in the used Edelbrock Performer manifold for my new engine. Some of the holes have steel plugs in them and some have none. Some of the holes are into the intake passages, some are in the coolant passages. This motor will be using ethylene glycol in a closed system. Are there any opinions on which metal, brass or steel, would be the best to combine with aluminum? I have to obtain some plugs for the empty holes, I could just as easily buy enough to replace the existing steel plugs if brass were the better choice.

Peter J Fraser · Oct 22, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

Hi boomyal, I would go for Stainless if you can as you would get the least reaction with Aluminum. However XRP web page Racing Products do a vast range of plugs in Aluminum in NPT threads that I have used in the past on race vehicles. Very good products and would be available from your nearest speed shop. Use Loctite 518 Master Gasket (Purple) compound or 567 Pipe Sealant (White) to seal the threads. Either of these work well as thread sealants where you may need to remove the plugs later. Peter

datawire · Oct 22, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

Tricky question Boom, all kinds of Alum. & SS Alloys - and I have had all kinds of seizing nightmares in the past. Think I'd email Edelbrock and ask them for their recommendations. JMHO.

KaGee · Oct 23, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

Whatever you choose, use a thread sealant like Peter said.

tommays · Oct 23, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

brass will have the bigest reaction with aluminum but SS will also react all 3 metals are very close on the galvnic chart if you can find something in 316 SS its the best bet 18-8 ss bolts lock up very easy in alu mcmaster carr will have a lot of stuff MAGNESIUM MAGNESIUM ALLOYS ZINC ALUMINUM 5052, 3004, 3003, 1100, 6053 CADMIUM ALUMINUM 2117, 2017, 2024 MILD STEEL (1018), WROUGHT IRON CAST IRON, LOW ALLOY HIGH STRENGTH STEEL CHROME IRON (ACTIVE) STAINLESS STEEL, 430 SERIES (ACTIVE) 302, 303, 304, 321, 347, 410,416, STAINLESS STEEL (ACTIVE) NI - RESIST 316, 317, STAINLESS STEEL (ACTIVE) CARPENTER 20 CB-3 STAINLESS (ACTIVE) ALUMINUM BRONZE (CA 687) HASTELLOY C (ACTIVE) INCONEL 625 (ACTIVE) TITANIUM (ACTIVE) LEAD - TIN SOLDERS LEAD TIN INCONEL 600 (ACTIVE) NICKEL (ACTIVE) 60 NI-15 CR (ACTIVE) 80 NI-20 CR (ACTIVE) HASTELLOY B (ACTIVE) BRASSES COPPER (CA102) MANGANESE BRONZE (CA 675), TIN BRONZE (CA903, 905) SILICON BRONZE NICKEL SILVER COPPER - NICKEL ALLOY 90-10 COPPER - NICKEL ALLOY 80-20 430 STAINLESS STEEL NICKEL, ALUMINUM, BRONZE (CA 630, 632) MONEL 400, K500 SILVER SOLDER NICKEL (PASSIVE) 60 NI- 15 CR (PASSIVE) INCONEL 600 (PASSIVE) 80 NI- 20 CR (PASSIVE) CHROME IRON (PASSIVE) 302, 303, 304, 321, 347, STAINLESS STEEL (PASSIVE) 316, 317, STAINLESS STEEL (PASSIVE) CARPENTER 20 CB-3 STAINLESS (PASSIVE), INCOLOY 825 NICKEL - MOLYBDEUM - CHROMIUM - IRON ALLOY (PASSIVE) SILVER TITANIUM (PASS.) HASTELLOY C & C276 (PASSIVE), INCONEL 625(PASS.) GRAPHITE ZIRCONIUM GOLD PLATINUM PROTECTED END (CATHODIC OR MOST NOBLE) tommays

Don S · Oct 23, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

I may be missing something here, but how about using aluminum pipe plugs.

Alum. Pipe Plugs

cc lancer · Oct 23, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

Yes Don You are missing something......

Discovery Channel is doing a special on the reconstruction, and technically advanced products Boomyal is using on this boat. Rumor has it, that the BBC is also interested in what he is doing. Michael Moore is considering a documentary on this project. I have been told by a prominent source that there is a book deal in the works. And just use a standard aluminum pipe plug with boiler anti-sieze......NEVER!!!!!

Don S · Oct 23, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

Drat the luck......See what I get for not getting the Discovery Channel. Missed it all.

f_inscreenname · Oct 23, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

Mine (Edelbrock intake)came with a bag of steel plugs. Third year with no problems. I haven't had any reasons to take them out.

Boomyal · Oct 23, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

Originally posted by cc lancer: Yes Don You are missing something...... Discovery Channel is doing a special on the reconstruction, and technically advanced products Boomyal is using on this boat. Rumor has it, that the BBC is also interested in what he is doing. Michael Moore is considering a documentary on this project. I have been told by a prominent source that there is a book deal in the works. And just use a standard aluminum pipe plug with boiler anti-sieze......NEVER!!!!!

I wish I could help myself, but it's just in the genes, I guess.

No really, I worked with for a guy when I was a kid, he said "never handle the same thing twice". That's all I'm trying to avoid.

tommays · Oct 23, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

boom you being smart to ask i have to drill out plugs on machinery with alum water jackets all the time because because the genius that built it used a plug that became one with the alum its kind of like natures locktite we all no that the alum carrier nut never gets stuck in the outdrive if you use boiler never sieze tommays

Scaaty · Oct 23, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

Hate to state the obvious, but the free Tech line at Edelbrock JUST might have a good answer!

Boomyal · Oct 23, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

Originally posted by Robby6950: Hate to state the obvious, but the free Tech line at Edelbrock JUST might have a good answer!

I already emailed them on the subject, but after f_inscreenname said that he got his new, with a bag of steel plugs, I wonder if I'll get the right answer. I had someone else tell me that bronze would be the best choice, but I would think that aluminum (which I was not aware of) would be the best.

f_inscreenname · Oct 23, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

I already emailed them on the subject, but after f_inscreenname said that he got his new, with a bag of steel plugs, I wonder if I'll get the right answer. I had someone else tell me that bronze would be the best choice, but I would think that aluminum (which I was not aware of) would be the best. Hey Boom if you are looking for someone to tell you to use a certain type of metal that you have your mind set on than just do it. IMHO steel will be fine (has been in mine for years), brass would probably be best but I would not use aluminum. It is to soft and you will surely strip the threads if you ever had to put some torque on it (like after it has been in for awhile).

Don S · Oct 24, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

I would not use aluminum. It is to soft and you will surely strip the threads if you ever had to put some torque on it

A couple of thoughts. If you ever have to "Put some torque on it", the manifold is aluminum and will strip also. Besides that, right now the holes in the manifold are not being used in his application, is he suddenly going to need to use them later? As far as corrosion goes, with a thread sealer on the threads and an occasional shot corrosion guard on the engine and some care there shouldn't be a lot of corrosion on the intake manifold. Steel, Brass, Aluminum, SS, .....any will work.

Northern Eclipse · Oct 25, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

I used brass plugs with teflon tape or a white thread sealer on edelbrock intake's for many years never had a corrision issue or any problem removing them, when mating disimilar metals coating the thread with a sealer or anti-seize will isolate the metals and reduce/eliminate potential corrision problems.

Boomyal · Oct 25, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

Here's an interesting string on the subject. http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=119417&messageid=1098501980

deputydawg · Oct 26, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

All of my Edelbrock intakes for my race engines came with a seet of steel plugs for the holes. I have also had Weind aluminim intakes that came with steel plugs. I always use a little teflon tape around these when I put them inand I don't crank them down real tight, just tight enough not to develope a leak. I have had a few that seize just from the high temperatures and high stress use of racing. If it is a plug you are concerned about removing for draining the system, could you just find a petcock that will screw in? Otherwise will you have to remove these plugs? I believe most of these that came with my intakes all used allen wrenches to tighten in. If they do strip they are easy to drill out or so I have "heard". Also I have had good luck with Edelbrock tech line by phone. Very friendly helpful people that know their stuff.

KaGee · Oct 26, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

Originally posted by Northern Eclipse: I used brass plugs with teflon tape or a white thread sealer on edelbrock ...

A close friend and boating/fishing buddy has spent his life as a machinist in a tool and die shop. They NEVER use Teflon Tape on cast aluminum anything. It will lead to stress cracks. Always use a liquid sealant on NPT threads into cast aluminum as the excess will squeeze out. My fuel pump developed a leak... previous owner used tape on the fitting... housing cracked!

tommays · Oct 26, 2004

Re: Brass vs Steel

kagee funny you should bring that up because when useing teflon tape on pipes in general you have to be carefull they turn so much easery than sealers that you can break elbows and tees tommays

Brass vs Steel

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