The Ford Barn

Chuck Sea/Tac · 01-08-2015, 05:06 PM

Can anyone explain how to use Prussian blue? tia

Tom Wesenberg · 01-08-2015, 05:18 PM

Use a small brush, such as the small flat acid brush plumbers use, then wipe a thin coating on the gear teeth. Turn the driving gear back and forth so it wipes across the blue and shows a pattern of contact. You want to see the pattern on the drive side of the teeth, and on the coast side of the teeth. Old Motors Manuals have a section showing how to read the patterns.

Patrick L. · 01-08-2015, 05:30 PM

Prussian blue can be used in just about any machining/checking operation.
Its lightly brushed on and filed, milled, ground or worn off to show contact/noncontact area.
In most automotive stuff I find it tedious. To check tooth contact I use white grease and to check valve face/seat contact I use pencil. These are far easier to remove for recheck after adjustment. But, the blue is fine if thats what you chose.

Jim in Wisconsin · 01-08-2015, 05:37 PM

In the shops I used to work in, it was mostly used to play jokes on guys. A little dab on the back side of a knob of his machine and after a while he was blue all over and mad as hell.

Joe K · 01-08-2015, 05:38 PM

I've used blue, but I like black magic marker better on gearing.

Joe K

noboD · 01-08-2015, 05:53 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim in Wisconsin

In the shops I used to work in, it was mostly used to play jokes on guys. A little dab on the back side of a knob of his machine and after a while he was blue all over and mad as hell.

Never seize works good too. I agree with the black magic marker. It is very thin and not as messy.

Terry, NJ · 01-08-2015, 06:30 PM

It's great on eye loupes too!
Terry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim in Wisconsin

In the shops I used to work in, it was mostly used to play jokes on guys. A little dab on the back side of a knob of his machine and after a while he was blue all over and mad as hell.

noboD · 01-08-2015, 06:37 PM

Commode handles or the front lip of the seat, too.

Anteek29 · 01-08-2015, 08:20 PM

You guys had too much fun

Rowdy · 01-08-2015, 09:04 PM

I use Dykem as it is a fast drying liquid. Not as messy as blue and wipes off with a little solvent. Rod

Chuck Sea/Tac · 01-08-2015, 11:55 PM

Anyone ever use it to check engine bearing contact?

J Franklin · 01-08-2015, 11:59 PM

Yes, it shows amount of contact or voids

ian Simpson · 01-09-2015, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noboD

Commode handles or the front lip of the seat, too.

As an apprentice that would have got me a three day unpaid vacation.

Ian

colin1928 · 01-09-2015, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Franklin

Yes, it shows amount of contact or voids

That's what it is made for
from back in the day when Babbitt bearings were hand scrapped
I like for checking valve seat contact

Patrick L. · 01-09-2015, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim in Wisconsin

In the shops I used to work in, it was mostly used to play jokes on guys. A little dab on the back side of a knob of his machine and after a while he was blue all over and mad as hell.

For gags we also used loaded condensers.

Terry, NJ · 01-09-2015, 09:48 AM

Dykem is a great layout fluid but it is actually too thick for a high spot "paint".
It tends to flake off or bunch up in tight (Say, .001 clearance) places. Prussion High spot blue must be nearly all wiped off to avoid having an indication of a contact where none exists. It must be thinly applied.
Terry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowdy

I use Dykem as it is a fast drying liquid. Not as messy as blue and wipes off with a little solvent. Rod

Rowdy · 01-09-2015, 10:25 AM

It has never caused me a problem as long as it is cleaned off and re-applied between checks if adjustment is needed. Rod

Bob Bidonde · 01-09-2015, 12:10 PM

Bluing was commonly used to layout parts on sheet metal using a scratching awl and to check contact between rubbing surfaces.

Chuck Sea/Tac · 01-09-2015, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin1928

That's what it is made for
from back in the day when Babbitt bearings were hand scrapped
I like for checking valve seat contact

So if the mainline was bored, then you should have 100% contact, and Russian blues basically a waste of time?

Tom Wesenberg · 01-09-2015, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowdy

It has never caused me a problem as long as it is cleaned off and re-applied between checks if adjustment is needed. Rod

I don't wipe it off, I just brush it to erase the pattern for the next pattern check.

01-08-2015, 05:06 PM	#1
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,411	Prussian blue Can anyone explain how to use Prussian blue? tia

01-08-2015, 05:18 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Prussian blue Use a small brush, such as the small flat acid brush plumbers use, then wipe a thin coating on the gear teeth. Turn the driving gear back and forth so it wipes across the blue and shows a pattern of contact. You want to see the pattern on the drive side of the teeth, and on the coast side of the teeth. Old Motors Manuals have a section showing how to read the patterns.

01-08-2015, 05:30 PM	#3
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Prussian blue Prussian blue can be used in just about any machining/checking operation. Its lightly brushed on and filed, milled, ground or worn off to show contact/noncontact area. In most automotive stuff I find it tedious. To check tooth contact I use white grease and to check valve face/seat contact I use pencil. These are far easier to remove for recheck after adjustment. But, the blue is fine if thats what you chose.

01-08-2015, 05:37 PM	#4
Jim in Wisconsin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 247	Re: Prussian blue In the shops I used to work in, it was mostly used to play jokes on guys. A little dab on the back side of a knob of his machine and after a while he was blue all over and mad as hell.

01-08-2015, 05:38 PM	#5
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,601	Re: Prussian blue I've used blue, but I like black magic marker better on gearing. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

01-08-2015, 06:37 PM	#8
noboD Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 370	Re: Prussian blue Commode handles or the front lip of the seat, too.

01-08-2015, 08:20 PM	#9
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 1,007	Re: Prussian blue You guys had too much fun __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

01-08-2015, 09:04 PM	#10
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: Prussian blue I use Dykem as it is a fast drying liquid. Not as messy as blue and wipes off with a little solvent. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

01-08-2015, 11:55 PM	#11
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,411	Re: Prussian blue Anyone ever use it to check engine bearing contact?

01-08-2015, 11:59 PM	#12
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 6,369	Re: Prussian blue Yes, it shows amount of contact or voids

01-09-2015, 10:25 AM	#17
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: Prussian blue It has never caused me a problem as long as it is cleaned off and re-applied between checks if adjustment is needed. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

01-09-2015, 12:10 PM	#18
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 4,109	Re: Prussian blue Bluing was commonly used to layout parts on sheet metal using a scratching awl and to check contact between rubbing surfaces. __________________ Bob Bidonde