Any easy-ish way to get to the freeze plug that is underneath the driver's side motor mount, aside from pulling the engine?

 

No one, huh?

 

I have no visual or experience whatsoever - but what about supporting the engine appropriately then simply removing the mount?

 

What glc said. That ought to get you enough room to pry the old freeze plug out. If you don't have enough room to pound the new freeze plug in, you can buy a rubber plug that you insert and tighten a bolt. Ask at your favorite parts store.

 

Seems to be the best shot I've got at it; jacking the engine and removing the mount. Though, I don't know about using an emergency plug for a permanent repair. I've already got a new brass plug.

 

I'm not sure if I would call it an emergency plug. I have used them for a permanent repair with no problems. Follow the directions and install carefully. That being said, if you have the room to pound in your new brass plug, by all means do so.

 

That is what I have always seen them labeled as; that's only why I called it that. I have heard of people using them, but given the location directly under the exhaust manifold, I don't know that I'd want to have rubber there?

 

Pull the manifold - it's not as hard as it sounds. Read these captions:

. .

 

I was thinking about pulling the manifold, just for extra work room. So, the manifold and mount will come out, jack the engine and I should be good then, eh? I suppose I'll find out on Sunday! Thanks guys!

 

Got the plug out today; ran out of time. Will work on it more tomorrow!

 

All back together today thanks to the great weather! Ended up having to use an expanding plug, but made sure I tightened it enough and let it sit for a day with loctite just to make sure it doesn't come loose.

 

Wherez the PIX?!?!?!?!

 

Wasn't really much to see, besides the dirty truck. The truck sat on all 4 tires with a bottle jack on wood blocks holding up the front of the engine. Other than that, it was reaching here and there feeling for the hidden mount bolts, lol.

This actually all stemmed from the water in the engine freezing and the engine getting started during the freeze. Burned the water pump/power steering belt a bit, but luckily the majorly corroded plug gave way (will take a pic later; have that one around somewhere) and saved the engine. This second one was the leak I found while underneath, which I had thought to be the water pump, again, which is why I was only filling it with water. I had to fill the radiator up every few days because it would all run out. Been 2 days of driving it now. The radiator has stayed filled to the top with an antifreeze/water mix and I haven't seen any water on the ground besides a drip or two, in two days. MUCH better!