04-12-2017, 10:57 PM | #1 |
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Block cleaning
I am going to R&R my head to add a higher compression unit. So today I disconnected the radiator hoses. Plugged the inlet hose on the side of the block then poured in a gallon of Muriatic acid. I let it sit for a few hours then removed the plug and let it drain. Stuck the hose in the outlet on the head and flushed out huge chunks of rust and grime. A flashlight in the block shows clean bare metal. Tomorrow I will switch the head and fill it with coolant and anti rust. Hopefully it will run cooler.
I guess it would be a good time to back flush the radiator too.
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04-12-2017, 11:03 PM | #2 |
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Re: Block cleaning
I would never pour in muriatic acid. It will continue to eat the metal unless it's very well neutralized. Even the fumes from muriatic acid will quickly rust metal for several feet around. I'd pour in Evaporust and let it set for a few days.
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04-12-2017, 11:30 PM | #3 |
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Re: Block cleaning
I used vinegar and let it sit a month, then back flushed the block only, then the radiator only. Lots of rust came out and I refilled with water and a cup of baking soda. Ran it a day or two and repeated the flushing, then did it again. After the third flushing I filled the works with 50/50 antifreeze. I also installed a 160 degree thermostat in the upper hose, just above the water pump. (S0 far it hasn't moved) I had soldered the stat to a rolled piece of copper that I had made into a 1.5 inch pipe just barely able to pound into the hose. Seems to be working fine and so far no rust appearing in the antifreeze.Temperature after running a half hour or so is slightly higher than it was without the thermostat, but just about 180 in the upper hose above the thermostat. Usually 165 on the lower hose.
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04-13-2017, 12:14 AM | #4 |
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Re: Block cleaning
Any block that has been marinated in a gallon of muriatic needs to be rinsed well then marinated again in a solution of one pound of baking soda per gallon of water to neutralize the acid. As noted by a previous writer, muriatic acid will just keep on dissolving iron if not neutralized.
I saw a low mileage but very rusty diamond Model B block that received a stout bath in muriatic acid continue to dissolve over the course of a year. The guy that owned it commented on all the rust that fell out of it every time he moved it. By the time he took it in for boring and rebabbitting there were pin holes appearing in the top deck. |
04-13-2017, 02:54 PM | #5 |
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Re: Block cleaning
Would certainly agree with others. At a minimum, flush entire cooling system with clean water several times. Adding baking soda on initial flushings can only help. Only when you're sure it's thoroughly flushed and neutralized, drain and add coolant.
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04-13-2017, 04:33 PM | #6 |
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Re: Block cleaning
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04-14-2017, 12:54 PM | #7 |
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Re: Block cleaning
Done repeatedly. :-)
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04-14-2017, 01:16 PM | #8 |
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Re: Block cleaning
Not only bad with cast, but high carbon alloy steels are subject to hydrogen embittlement. Which can be caused by any acid, but HCL is the harshest.
The hydrogen can work its was in to the molecular structure of the steel and combine with it and form a gas that will build up enough pressure to break hardened steel. The plating industry is very cautious of this problem. It doesn't hurt to study it out a bit. A materials/metallurgist friend of mine in the nuclear industry assured me that a quick wash to clean wouldn't do any damage.(I am referring to hardened steel, not cast) I am pretty anal, I would run water with baking soda for a while in the engine if it had any Hcl put in it, just to be sure, then flush with phosphoric if nervous about rust. Last edited by 30 Tudor; 04-14-2017 at 08:01 PM. |
04-14-2017, 07:53 PM | #9 |
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Re: Block cleaning
So...what does the original poster, Chris; have to say?
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04-14-2017, 10:13 PM | #10 | |
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Re: Block cleaning
Quote:
The next thing will be getting my beat up old radiator re-cored. PS I just noticed that the vinegar I bought at Costco is only 5% acid. Its not working very well.
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04-14-2017, 10:30 PM | #11 |
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Re: Block cleaning
Vinegar takes a lot of time to do it's thing. I ran it straight for a few days and I know it wasn't long enough to do much good, so patience is your best virtue. I did quite a few flushes after dropping it pulled the lower connection off to give it a fast dump and refilled with 50/50 coolant. I know glycol can make it run 20 degrees hotter but the 3 row tube and 10 fpi recore has proven itself to be adequate. I also have a 160 thermostat as close as possible to the upper neck.
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04-14-2017, 11:31 PM | #12 | |
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Re: Block cleaning
Quote:
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04-15-2017, 12:41 AM | #13 |
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Re: Block cleaning
Evapo-rust is 23 bucks a gallon. I'll wait on the vinegar to do ts job.
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04-15-2017, 01:00 AM | #14 |
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Re: Block cleaning
Chris, when you remove the head look at the back of the block. Behind Number 4 there might be some blockage. I used a probe and air to clear it. Put rags in the cylinders first.
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04-15-2017, 01:13 AM | #15 |
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Re: Block cleaning
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04-15-2017, 01:15 AM | #16 |
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Re: Block cleaning
Thanks for the tip.
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04-15-2017, 05:43 AM | #17 |
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Re: Block cleaning
Vinegar is one of the cheaper/safer/time consuming solutions for rust removal but it will leave debris in your cooling system and flash rusting will result in rust colored coolant until the block is passivated.
Phosphoric Acid will clean and convert rust but will not remove rust chunks. Evaporust type products are chelation agents that bind tightly to oxidized iron and pull it into solution so there will be no chunks left behind as with acids. I’ve used both Evapo-Rust and this much cheaper version and cannot tell the difference other than cost. Chelation agents are the more costly solution but provide the best results - They can also be used more than once.
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04-15-2017, 07:09 AM | #18 |
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Re: Block cleaning
Thanks for the link to RUST 911.
That looks like the thing to buy, and I'll use that the next time I need to derust a block. |
04-15-2017, 12:45 PM | #19 |
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Re: Block cleaning
I've used Rust911 for 5 yrs. with superb results. It is an excellent product.I just do not understand why people play around with acids when this superior product is available. Works really well to derust the inside of the gas tank. It comes out spotless.
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04-15-2017, 07:24 PM | #20 |
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Re: Block cleaning
PS I just noticed that the vinegar I bought at Costco is only 5% acid. Its not working very well.
5% is normal for vinegar I left it for 6 weeks in my 12 Buick radiator and it did a marvelous job! cleaned it out good. Patience is a virtue. |
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