Vinegar worked for me.

[31chevy]

Thanks to you Ford Barn people I think my heating problem is cured on my 34 pickup. a little history first, block was boiled out at machine shop, rebuilt 40 over 37 block with 34 heads intake etc. Skips pumps & coil & distributor. I took the radiator to a shop & as most of you know they no longer clean radiators, however the shop did a flow test of sorts & thought to be OK. When I first got it started it ran quite hot but I realized the engine was very tight. 1500 miles later & trying water wetter 50/50 mix etc. still ran hot. I then decided to try the dish washing detergent & vinegar treatment. I ran the detergent for a few days then drained it & put straight white vinegar & ran for about 3 weeks taking it for a ride or starting it up each day to heat up the vinegar. The crud that came out was something else! I flushed it out ran detergent in it again ran it for a while, drained it put in baking soda to neutralize it flushed out again, then straight water with rust inhibitor & water pump lube. I think now I could put it in a parade on a hot day & be OK. It running cooler than ever before. (sorry for long thread)
Gary.

[TStiles]

Your experience is proof that determination and everyday resources can produce results. what ratio of dish washing detergent to water did you use? And brand of detergent?

[3340]

Gary, That's Great! Well Worth All The Effort.

[dean333]

What ratio of baking soda did you use to neutralize? How many MILES did you drive with the vinegar?

[trainguy]

Some time ago my 36 was overheating,I did the vinegar deal and wat came out resembled the "LOVE CANAL"Overheating solved.Phil

[jkeesey]

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I did the vinegar trick on my A. Only ran it through the system for 1 hour and it made my coolant temps drop 30 degrees after I flushed it out and running on straight water.

[VeryTangled]

Hi Everyone, Okay I've heard of these techniques, but not in enough detail. I'd love some specifics like:

Can you injure hoses and water pumps with these techniques?

What dish detergent brand and what technique is best for this step?

How does the baking soda step work, ratios? Length of application?

Just learning, -VT/JeffH

[Old Henry]

In case you're looking for detail about how to backflush to rinse the vinegar, dishsoap, and baking soda out here's how I do it: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83557

[joe plumber]

Lemon juice also works great .

[Cecil/WV]

I just put pure Vinegar in mine and let it set for about a week and flushed it out with water and it was good to go. That was about 5 years and 15000 miles ago.

[FlatheadTed]

I am in the middle of trying various chemicals on my stationary compressor such as battery acid Molasses ,caustic ,,The core tubes at the top are plugged on most of them ,I will report back on the results on completion . vinegar has been used by people on here with good results. it needs to be in there for a minimum of two weeks ,it doesn't damage hoses or pump seals ,

[31chevy]

Originally Posted by TStiles

Your experience is proof that determination and everyday resources can produce results. what ratio of dish washing detergent to water did you use? And brand of detergent?

I bought a 45 oz Meijer brand & used about a third of the box, pour in slowly with engine warm & above an idle so powder can dissolve. I think I left it in for about a week warming engine up by driving a few miles or starting up & let warm up. I bought vinegar at GFS which is a restaurant supplier for less than $3 a gallon & ran for about 3 weeks. I bought 2 lb. box of baking soda at Wal mart for about $2 & used half of the box. Hope this helps.
Gary.