Sacrificial wire inside C69 Block?

[Ziggster]

While waiting at the machinist yesterday, I was poking around at my engine and started looking into the various coolant passages. From the left front opening at the bottom corner where the head would sit, I noticed a wire inside the coolant passage. I couldn't pull it out, but the machinist mentioned that they sometimes placed a sort of sacrificial "anode" in the block. Anyone else hear of a such a thing? Should I try to get it out?

[51 MERC-CT]

Not sacrificial "anode" wire, but for support of the casting forms to prevent collapse during the casting process.
And you can remove it if you choose to.
This is an example.

[tubman]

I am starting to wonder about your machinist.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by tubman

I am starting to wonder about your machinist.

Agreed. Every block I've cleaned has had some sort of wire left over from the casting process.

Ziggster, think about this. If it was a sacrificial diode and it hasn't corroded after 60 years, then there is a problem.

Please double check your machinist's work when he is done. Believe me, there are some real hacks out there. I have a fully machined CRACKED block to prove it.

[Ziggster]

Agree, but work seems to be solid. Not sure if he is BSing me or what. No doubt in my mind though about his skill. Dozens and dozens of engines are going through the shop at any given moment.

[Ziggster]

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Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Not sacrificial "anode" wire, but for support of the casting forms to prevent collapse during the casting process.
And you can remove it if you choose to.
This is an example.

Yep. Pretty much what I saw.

[JSeery]

It is not uncommon to also find core sand along with core wire. You can clean an amazing amount of gunk out of the blocks.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by JSeery

It is not uncommon to also find core sand along with core wire. You can clean an amazing amount of gunk out of the blocks.

Yep. Even after being cleaned, you need to poke, scrape and prod to get all the sand out.

[Ziggster]

From what I could see it looks as though they did an excellent job of cleaning the block as I couldn't see or find any loose material.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Ziggster

From what I could see it looks as though they did an excellent job of cleaning the block as I couldn't see or find any loose material.

Trust me, it could still be in there. Put it on a stand, turn it on it's side, slightly hanging down and poke, prod, blow air, etc. to make sure. The back rear on both sides tends to collect a ton of crap. Coat hanger works well getting between the cylinder wall and block.

When you think you've got it all, do it again. Get a super bright LED flashlight and shine a light down in the water jacket holes on the deck to check.

The block that I wound up using was a 59L motor. The water jackets had so much crud in them, a long bladed screw driver could be DRIVEN like a nail into the crap. The core of the crud was still moist even after being out of a car for years.

It was the worst I've ever seen.

[Tinker]

These blocks are sand cast. Quite amazing. Look up sand casting, you need to vent the air on a pour. If all the casting sand is out (not always so) your good. It's amazing how much sand is in the rear of these blocks (usually your heat issues) without knocking it out.



Cut that nub off.

[Ziggster]

Thanks. Will do a final cleansing/ inspection.

[Ronnieroadster]

To help clear everything out of the block I use a shop that actually bakes the blocks. Thats the final step after what Tim above wrote about cleaning the inside water jacket rear areas of the block removing as much of that sand still in that area. We find old core sand and lots of other crud as well as remnants of the core box assembly wire. Its amazing how much build up is found when the proper cleaning is being done.
Ronnieroadster

[Ziggster]

I asked him about that, but he told me that no one around here does that. Even though Ottawa has a million people, and is the fourth largest city in Canada, there are very few speed shops around, and apparently none with that equipment.

[tubman]

I guess you're gonna hafta do it yourself. I repeat my previous comment.

[cas3]

i use a very long skinny screw driver that goes all the way to the bottom and jab it around quite violently and you will usually loosen up some chunks of sand piled up on the bottom that has been baked into place from decades of use. then, a blow gun and vacuum cleaner choked down to fit in the holes. this pile came out of one side

[Ziggster]

That is crazy! I can see why some engines run hot. I'll check myself next time I'm there to see what might come out. Thanks for the tips.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by cas3

i use a very long skinny screw driver that goes all the way to the bottom and jab it around quite violently and you will usually loosen up some chunks of sand piled up on the bottom that has been baked into place from decades of use. then, a blow gun and vacuum cleaner choked down to fit in the holes. this pile came out of one side

Yep. Typical even after just being dipped in a hot tank.

[Ol' Ron]

Just about every flathead I've ever worked on had open wires in the end exhaust ports.