The Ford Barn

MadmanWilson · 08-27-2013, 08:56 PM

As suggested, after I cleaned out the oil pan I took off the intake manifold to clean the valley of sludge out there. Attached some pictures, looks pretty nasty so I'll get it cleaned up.

Any pointers here? Anything I screw up? I'm guessing I want to make sure I don't drop any of the crap down the holes and risk mucking the engine up more, so I'll plug those up. I guess I'll just use my hand and get the majority of it out of there.

Maybe once this I clean this out I should fill the engine up with kerosene as some have suggested to finish cleaning it out. Not sure if that hurts anything, but several folks suggested I give that a shot.

barnfind · 08-27-2013, 09:59 PM

Never tried it on a flathead but I would be pretty skeptical it could be cleaned without risk unless you disassemble the motor. Looks to be pretty thick and heavy.
but if you can reliability plug the holes where you don't want the crud and muck to go,you might be able to slowly wipe it out with paper towels using a solvent or something stronger like brake cleaner.

I broke a crank in a Ford Ranger many years ago trying to flush it with a motor oil/kerosene mixture attempting to fix erratic oil pressure.

Ross F-1 · 08-27-2013, 10:19 PM

Be aware that the sludge contains lead, and can be absorbed thru the skin. I would pull the engine and have it disassembled and vatted.

estout81 · 08-28-2013, 05:36 PM

Back in '63 bought a '59 Ford with a 292 that the oil passage to the rockers was plugged. Got the oil passage unplugged and proceeded to see how bad the engine was gunked up. It was WAY worse than yours! I took off valve covers, intake, valley pan and oil pan. Steam cleaned the inside and outside! Everybody said that I had just ruined the engine! Well after drying it with compressed air and reassembly it ran fine!

Chisel · 08-28-2013, 06:51 PM

I have cleaned out a few without any ill effects by mounting on an engine stand and then turning the engine so the gully is facing toward the floor. Then using a siphon type air spray gun to spray kerosene up into the gully. Let drip dry, put back together and good to go.

Jeff/Illinois · 08-29-2013, 09:38 AM

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Looks pretty nasty MadMan.

I think it would be best to pull the engine and do a complete rebuild. Looks like years of running non-detergent oil.

Then, with a fresh engine, use your favorite detergent oil, 10W-30 and you'll be set for many many years.

08-27-2013, 09:59 PM	#2
barnfind Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 426	Re: 1936 Ford Pickup: Cleaning the sludge under the intake manifold Never tried it on a flathead but I would be pretty skeptical it could be cleaned without risk unless you disassemble the motor. Looks to be pretty thick and heavy. but if you can reliability plug the holes where you don't want the crud and muck to go,you might be able to slowly wipe it out with paper towels using a solvent or something stronger like brake cleaner. I broke a crank in a Ford Ranger many years ago trying to flush it with a motor oil/kerosene mixture attempting to fix erratic oil pressure.

08-27-2013, 10:19 PM	#3
Ross F-1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NM Posts: 2,438	Re: 1936 Ford Pickup: Cleaning the sludge under the intake manifold Be aware that the sludge contains lead, and can be absorbed thru the skin. I would pull the engine and have it disassembled and vatted. __________________ '52 F-1, EAB flathead

08-28-2013, 05:36 PM	#4
estout81 BANNED Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Utica, Ohio Posts: 522	Re: 1936 Ford Pickup: Cleaning the sludge under the intake manifold Back in '63 bought a '59 Ford with a 292 that the oil passage to the rockers was plugged. Got the oil passage unplugged and proceeded to see how bad the engine was gunked up. It was WAY worse than yours! I took off valve covers, intake, valley pan and oil pan. Steam cleaned the inside and outside! Everybody said that I had just ruined the engine! Well after drying it with compressed air and reassembly it ran fine!

08-28-2013, 06:51 PM	#5
Chisel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 232	Re: 1936 Ford Pickup: Cleaning the sludge under the intake manifold I have cleaned out a few without any ill effects by mounting on an engine stand and then turning the engine so the gully is facing toward the floor. Then using a siphon type air spray gun to spray kerosene up into the gully. Let drip dry, put back together and good to go. __________________ Chisel Evil Lurks...for those that don't carry a side arm!!!

08-29-2013, 09:38 AM	#6
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,789	Re: 1936 Ford Pickup: Cleaning the sludge under the intake manifold Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Looks pretty nasty MadMan. I think it would be best to pull the engine and do a complete rebuild. Looks like years of running non-detergent oil. Then, with a fresh engine, use your favorite detergent oil, 10W-30 and you'll be set for many many years.