What is this?

[musthave]

New block, cleaning all the paint off so I can paint it correctly. I came across this piece. It has what appears to be a ball inside of it. Not sure if it's a plugged hole, or what, and what it's use is, if any. Just curious if anyone knows what it is.

 

[paulzak]

Freeze plug ? That's my guess.

 

[KC masterpiece]

I have often looked at that same ball and wondered what on earth it was. I am sure someone will chime in with specifics.

 

[Grandlooser]

You see those sometimes where during manufacture, a hole needs to be bored for fluid travel etc and then after drilling the end of the hole needs to be plugged. That's my guess at least.

 

[cody c]

Ya I would guess an oil passage. Essentially holes drilled through and connected to other passages and then the drill holes blocked off later so the oil can flow through and around the block but not leak out.

 

[musthave]

You see those sometimes where during manufacture, a hole needs to be bored for fluid travel etc and then after drilling the end of the hole needs to be plugged. That's my guess at least.

I sorta assumed that's what that was for, but it seems odd that it's capped with a ball instead of a cap like freeze plugs, etc.

Ya I would guess an oil passage. Essentially holes drilled through and connected to other passages and then the drill holes blocked off later so the oil can flow through and around the block but not leak out.

That makes sense. Odd that it's a ball though. Or maybe it's knot. Thanks for the input all.