molassess and crank shafts

[4tford]

Last week I got rid of 2700# of scrap. I did keep some merc cranks that I would like to save. Pretty rusty although the bearings surfaces are not to bad. Question is if I soak these cranks in molasses and water for 3 or 4 days to remove the rust, will this harm the bearing surfaces. All the cranks need to be reground. Thanks Bill

[Lawrie]

I would NOT put them in molasses,this will attack the steel,any high grade steel will be badly affected by the molasses,this will take the carbon out of the steel.
Lawrie

[Dave/Green Bay]

I would agree with Lawrie. Some friends took an Arnold Bristol block and put it in a Molasses mixture and probably ruined the block. The metal is now very flaky. Dave/Green Bay

[4tford]

I have done a half dozen blocks and they came out great.

[Scott H in Wheaton]

You have to monitor it....couple days in molasses or vinegar can attack the surface rust without destorying the remaining good metal. Couple weeks and you might be in for trouble.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

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I have all my blocks baked out and run through the short bead machine. I've had rusty cranks run through the short bean machine and come out like new, it don't hurt the journals, you have to have them ground anyways. You want to put oil or rust inhibbeter on them or they will rust quick. Walt

[4tford]

In this case baking is out of the question. Nearest oven I know of is 800 miles away.

[KiWinUS]

Bill Glass bead ? is that an option ?

[4tford]

maybe if I can lift it into the beader. Never thought of that. Mask off the bearing surfaces. Hmmmm

[Scott H in Wheaton]

You didn't say you had a blaster....duct tape the journals and glass bead the rest of it. Then have the journals ground or polished.

[tubman]

If you have the scratch, you should try EvapoRust. That stuff is fabulous; eats up rust and doesn't touch anything else. I did the Grille extensions/Parking light units on my '51, and while it removed all of the rust from ther backsides, it didn't touch the black paint in the grooves. About $90 for 5 gallons, though.

[4tford]

LOL I have the scratch but not the itch.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Just glass bead em, you won't hurt a thing, don't forget to remove the sludge plugs in the cranks. I run a steel brush with a drill in those sludge holes. Walt

[Ronnie]

Soda blast them

R

[itslow]

Originally Posted by 4tford

In this case baking is out of the question. Nearest oven I know of is 800 miles away.

I find that very hard to believe that there isn't one in a city of 150k+ people, or even in Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, or Winnipeg. You aren't that far north.

800 miles is like driving to Minneapolis or Denver. There will most definitely be one between you and there.

[4tford]

The only oven I have found is in Creston British Colombia. Just over 1000 km each way. I have used it when passing through and it was great.

[ford38v8]

I would think hard about using glass bead. If those beads can find a way into the engine, all hell will break loose.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

I would think hard about using glass bead. If those beads can find a way into the engine, all hell will break loose.

Man oh man, I am with you on this one. I would not take the chance.

[flatheadmurre]

Whats the difference with the beads over the leftovers from the grinding wheel when you grind it later...
Have to be cleaned up before assembly anyhow.
For small narrow passages like a carb i prefer sodablasting that disolves when washing it.

[4tford]

well I cleaned 3 of them with glass beads. Will give them a thorough cleaning tomorrow before the hot tank.